A Waterside Japanese Izakaya and Bar Is Coming to Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves Precinct

Since opening in late 2018, Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves precinct has continued to grow. The spot already boasts a riverfront brewery, an overwater bar and a sprawling Greek taverna, just welcomed an Art Series hotel with a rooftop pool, and is about to become home to a waterside Betty's Burgers. Don't expect the area to stop expanding just yet, either, with a Japanese izakaya next on the CBD spot's list.

Although the new hangout doesn't yet have a name, it does boast an impressive pedigree, marking the second HSW venue by restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess. Come October, the new eatery and watering hole will sit next door to his existing Greca restaurant — and it'll take inspiration from his time spent in Tokyo, where he also owns a fine diner.

While specific details are scarce — including just who'll be in the kitchen — the newcomer will take over two levels, featuring a restaurant downstairs and a bar upstairs. Expect a raw section that highlights sustainable seafood and wagyu beef, plus a hefty range of sake and wine. On the second storey, there'll be Barthelmess' version of a vinyl bar, complete with a huge whiskey lineup.

Cho Cho San by Nikki To.

Barthelmess already runs a Japanese izakaya-inspired joint in Sydney, called Cho Cho San, so he's well and truly in familiar territory.

And if you're wondering why the restaurateur is doubling down on HSW (other than the killer location), you have all of the Brisbanites who've flocked to Greca to thank. "We love being part of Howard Smith Wharves where the huge success of Greca has taken us all by surprise," Barthelmess said in a statement. "By taking the restaurant space next door we can grow and strengthen our team and invest more into the Brisbane dining scene."

Find Jonathan Barthelmess' new Japanese izakaya and bar at Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane from October. We'll keep you posted with more details as they come to hand.