Overview
If you've ever made dinner plans at the Night Noodle Markets when they've popped up in Brisbane, then enjoyed plates and plates to eat surrounded by a sea of fellow diners, then you'll know that the River City loves an excuse to grab a meal from an array of culinary stalls under the stars. It was back in 2022 that Brisbane Powerhouse announced its own plans to capitalise upon this fact, too — and to combine it with art and music. The result: Night Feast, which debuted in March 2023, then returned in October the same year.
Initially, this neon-lit after-dark culinary event was set to tempt Brisbanites' tastebuds twice a year. In 2024, Night Feast missed its autumn timeslot, but it has locked in its spring return. For a month from Wednesday, October 16–Sunday, November 10, food, tunes and installations will be on the menu outside Brisbane Powerhouse, this time with a 20-strong lineup of chefs and restaurants spanning Night Feast favourites as well as newcomers.
Fourteen folks and eateries are returning for the event's third run, each slinging their signature dishes. If you've enjoyed a bite from Donna Chang, Gerard's Bistro, Southside, Allonda, Ngon, Hoy Pinoy, Wonderbao, Bugster's and Mary Mae's at Night Feast before — and LouisB, Lek's Thai, Anchalee's and La Mano as well — get excited about tucking in again.
This time, they'll have company from Gelato Messina, which is whipping up a bespoke dish — and from Byblos for Mediterranean and Lebanese flavours, Cartel del Taco for Mexican fare and Calida's Latin-inspired meals. Diviners and Savile Row are also teaming up, while Central, the new restaurant from the folks responsible for Rick Shores and Southside, is taking part, too.
For Night Feast's October 2023 dates, an izakaya was another highlight, letting patrons get slurping over a Japanese spread. Last year's pop-up boasted Taro Akimoto from Taro's Ramen in charge of the menu. This year, Boom Boom Room is taking over the food instead. Sapporo ambassador and beer sensei Shinichiro Shimo will be back again, however, to pair the dishes with brews.
Night Feast was a success from the outset, with its first-ever season seeing 67,258 wontons, 28,352 skewers and 6306 oysters devoured. That said, food has never been the only reason to drop by. Both the art and the music sides of the lineup are free — unlike getting a bite or a drink — with the latest program featuring Leeroy New, Dr Christian Thompson, Gijs van Bon, QUIVR DJs and more.
New is constructing a freshly commissioned installation on Brisbane Powerhouse's facade, with the entire work made from recycled and repurposed materials that are being sourced locally. Thompson will also deck out the building, with a large photographic piece set to be displayed across the bricks. From van Bon, a light and sound installation with 200 linked beacons will dazzle the senses. QUIVR DJs will provide the beats, obviously.
Night Feast's 2024 dates overlap with queer culture and arts festival Melt from Wednesday, October 23–Sunday, November 10, so you'll be able to enjoy dinner outside before heading indoors for a show. Or, you can also catch a film at Dendy Powerhouse, the New Farm spot's permanent year-round outdoor cinema.
Night Feast returns for 2024 from Wednesday, October 16–Sunday, November 10 at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm. For more information, head to the event's website.
Images: Pixel Frame / Markus Ravik / Lachlan Douglas.