Overview
One of Brisbane's best Cantonese restaurants is about to become one of the River City's go-to lounge bars as well, with Stanley at Howard Smith Wharves announcing a new addition. From early October 2024, when you're not tucking into a feast of dishes downstairs — including yum cha daily for lunch — you'll soon be able to enjoy drinks upstairs over snacks, with the eatery's second level getting a revamp.
Newly transformed space, new name: while the restaurant keeps its moniker, the bar will be known as Stan's. The vibe and the decor will take inspiration from Hong Kong, cocktails will feature heavily on the beverage list and Stanley Executive Chef Louis Tikaram has a new range of Cantonese bites on offer just for the upper floor.
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Details from there are still scarce, including exactly what'll be on the drinks and food menu — but although Hong Kong is a huge influence over Stan's, as it is over Stanley, the bar will be pouring rare spirits from around the world.
This'll also be a place to make shapes, thanks to a vintage JBL sound system. The promise for the music choices: extensive and eclectic.
Stanley opened at Howard Smith Wharves in 2019, with the Cantonese venue one of the four initial tenants first revealed for the precinct back in 2017, alongside Greek restaurant Greca, octagonal overwater bar Mr Percival's and Japanese joint Yoko Dining. At the eatery, Tikaram's authentic, often seafood-heavy dishes are served up in the two-storey, heritage-listed, 1930s-era former water police building in the riverside spot, which can cater for 220 guests and includes seating on a deck by the river.
Decor-wise across the ground floor, Stanley pays tribute to traditional Chinese design with a handcrafted rattan ceiling and bamboo fretwork lining its walls. It also features antique pieces sourced from Europe and Hong Kong, parquetry inlay floors and a centrepiece circular bar on the upper level.
Find Stan's on level two at Stanley, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane, from early October 2024. Keep an eye on the restaurant's website for more details.
Top image: Markus Ravik.