Morningside's Southside Tea Room Is Shutting Its Doors Next Week

Six years after opening its doors back in 2012, and just a few months after giving its distinctive patch of Wynnum Road a huge facelift, Morningside's Southside Tea Room has announced that it's closing down.

The bar and eatery will shutter after it finishes trading on Sunday, November 4, which means no more barbecued meats, weekend brunch, burnt-wood panelling and hanging out on picnic benches after that date. And, no more band pop-ups, plaster fun house sessions and retro New Year's Eve parties, either.

In an update shared to both Facebook and Instagram, Southside owners and The Grates band members John Patterson and Patience Hodgson explained that "it has taken a huge amount of bravery to make this decision". They continue: "what we have be able to achieve, and the memories we have made together, are nothing less then epic".

Patterson and Hodgson's post also notes that Southside will be slinging specials and selling off its wares across its last week of operation. "Come say goodbye and grab some kind of bargain in our final week of trade — or buy a table, or the shop", it advises.

If you're keen to swing by for old times' sake, you'll still find a pinball and arcade area, outdoor seating, and slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork on metal trays. Since its revamp mid-year, the current iteration of Southside has been all about hefty chunks of meat that come with a slice of bread, pickles, onion and the choice of two sides, such as mac 'n' cheese and charred broccoli with pecorino. Drinks wise, say one last hurrah with local beers on tap, a small range of wines, and house cocktails such as the Morningside margarita and the calippo daiquiri.

As for what comes next for Patterson and Hodgson, expect to keep hearing from them — literally. "We never managed to strike a balance between industries and can not be more thrilled about returning to music."

Find Southside at 639 Wynnum Road, Morningside until Sunday, November 4 — or visit the venue's website or Facebook page for further details.