Overview
If you're making the rounds of a trio of superhero- and supervillain-themed bars, do you need a change of outfits Superman-style for each one? Should you conjure up an alter ego to bust out, at least? Start pondering those questions, Brisbanites, because Fortitude Valley's 1st Edition will soon have two sidekicks: the aptly named Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
As 1st Edition has since 2021, the newcomers will also make California Lane their base, giving this patch of Brisbane its own comic book-themed quarter. Both will sling cocktails and lean into the theming as heartily as a caped crusader does vanquishing world-threatening foes, but they'll each have their own niche.
Again hailing from Marc Grey and Chef Steve Maiden, Harley Quinn is the next of the gang to open, welcoming in patrons from Friday, May 24. It'll operate as a bar by night and a cafe by day, with the latter starting trade on Saturday, June 1. When the sun is out, expect tea, coffee, toasties, savoury platters, apple pie muffins and homemade curry pies. When evening hits, the cocktail list named The Multiverse will kick in.
While all three bars belong in the same superhero-loving stable, each will pour its own specific signature beverages if you need motivation for a California Lane bar crawl. At Harley Quinn, expect to sip the venue's namesake cocktail, which is made from gun, rosé prosecco and lemon fairy floss. Fittingly, there's also a Puddin spritz, which features vodka, a grapefruit blend, prosecco, rosemary and soda.
You'll also choose from a range that also spans Doctor Doom, Mysterio, Infinity Stones, The Riddler and Doctor Strange concoctions at Harley Quinn, so you won't just be thinking about a character played by Margot Robbie (Barbie) in Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and The Suicide Squad — and that Lady Gaga (House of Gucci) is taking on in the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux. Or, there's the Kryptonite!, which includes a lightbulb, plus the lemon- and curd-featuring Flash Meringue.
"Harley Quinn promises daytime casual vibes, and an evening filled with handcrafted creations, grazing options and conversation, and we're thrilled to bring this dynamic concept to Fortitude Valley to further enhance the fun but serious cocktail culture we continue to cultivate. It's a small bar, but packs a cheeky punch," says Grey.
Poison Ivy, which is being dubbed a 'villain bar', will open Saturday, June 1, splashing around green aplenty (of course) in the space that was previously home to Viva La Cali. And yes, laneway parties will be on the bill when both Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are up and running.
Find Harley Quinn Bar in California Lane at Shop G4, 22 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley from Friday, May 24, 2024 — operating its bar from 5.30–9pm Thursday and Sunday, and 5.30pm–late Friday–Saturday from its opening date, and also its cafe from 11am–4pm Tuesday–Sunday from Saturday, June 1. Head to the venue's website for further details.