Now Open: GPO Is Finally Back with Three Venues in One After a Massive $9-Million Makeover

Head to GPO's new 1920s-themed lounge bar, which is fittingly called The Gatsby, and you won't be able to miss the venue's old vault. It's a reminder of the distinctive building's history, with the structure starting its life back in 1887 as the Fortitude Valley General Post Office. It's also a symbol of GPO's reopening, which feels like reclaiming an iconic Brisbane location after a stint of safekeeping — or, to be more accurate, following the 136-year-old site's hefty $9-million revamp.

It was in August 2022 that it was revealed that the structure was being taken over by Artesian Hospitality, with news of its key staff, three-venues-in-one setup and opening date unveiled since. Then, on Saturday, July 8, GPO started welcoming Brisbanites back through its doors. Now, the full trio of its hangouts behind its heritage-listed facade — the aforementioned The Gatsby, contemporary dining venue TAMA, and post-work drinks spot The Tax Office — are greeting patrons.

The first is a late-night, walk-in-only cocktail and whisky bar on the building's upper level. The mood here is lavish and upscale, as the name makes plain, including velvet booths, leather accents and brass features as part of the design. As well as featuring the building's original, now-restored vault, The Gatsby soundtracks the sipping with DJs and a live saxophonist. Also, as demonstrated by the 74-page menu, the bar well and truly prides itself on its drinks.

Highlights include the chilli-infused tequila and mango gasper, a Gatsby bellini using peach tea-infused vermouth, one cocktail made with edible citrus paint, and another that can be served either hot or cold. All of the classic sips are taken care of, too, or you can build your own manhattan, negroni, martini or old fashioned — each chosen because they're the most popular concoctions of F Scott Fitzgerald's era.

At TAMA, the sprawling 100-seat restaurant filled with natural light has taken over the site's ground level, offering diners a radiant experience thanks to the high ceilings and double-storey windows in the two-storey atrium that doubles as the main dining room. Visitors will find be stone and marble flooring, bursts of greenery, velvet-clad booths and soft furnishings, too, and both original beams and custom chandeliers. As for the vibe, it's thoroughly old-school.

Here, the wine is a big drawcard, given that there's a cellar stocked with 1000 handpicked bottles of vino and champagne. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Richard Ousby is using his experience overseas and locally to shape the restaurant's menu.

"TAMA offers something for all occasions with an expansive ground floor restaurant and a mezzanine that can play host to private dining for 40 guests, and more intimate rooms for parties of six to eight," Ousby notes.

"From pastas served tableside to carefully selected seafood and steaks, including a two-kilogram angus tomahawk and cut-to-order wagyu scotch fillet, TAMA's menu will cater to anyone looking for a casual meal through to those wanting a seriously elevated experience," he continues.

Standout dishes also include cold seafood platters among the starters, charcoal calamari and beef tartare, plus half and full lobsters, quail and mushroom tart. And, there's a selection of handmade pasta dishes that includes four-cheese tortellini and crab bisque linguini. Feeling particularly cashed up? Opt for the caviar service.

"The majority of bottles won't break the bank, sitting between $50–200; however, we will have a variety of selections and vintages that are exclusive to the venue and sit within our private cellar. There's something to fit every budget, taste and occasion," says Alan Hunter, the sommelier and ex-General Manager at OTTO Brisbane who is helping oversee the GPO's new guise, of the vino list.

Hunter comes to the new GPO with plenty of accolades, including being named the Pol Roger 2013 Sommelier of the Year, and helping lead OTTO Brisbane to nabbing the Wine List of the Year award in the Good Food Guide in 2019. As for Brisbane local Ousby, he's drawing upon his time in England at Michelin three-star restaurant Waterside Inn, in Sydney at Sous Chef at Quay, and as Executive Chef of Stokehouse's restaurants in Melbourne and Brisbane.

GPO also features The Tax Office, where folks can head to sit around an island bar. Food-wise, panko beef ribs, halloumi fries, Sriracha salmon tartare, potato scallops with chive sour cream, duck ragu and buttermilk chicken burgers are all on offer. Among the sips, beers come both bottled and on tap, accompanied by a curated wine list.

Outside, the building's Victorian Italianate facade has been preserved, as have its balconies, stairwells and ceilings (with heritage paint tones a big feature after a colour study). And back inside, the design pairs modern finishings with OG touches — so exposed beams and brick, plus fireplaces. The end product is the result of a collaboration between The Royal Historical Society of Queensland, Brisbane City Council, heritage architects, Zero9 Builders (The Dorsett Hotel, The Star, and Edwards and Co) and Space Cubed Design Studio (Donna Chang, Iris Rooftop and Boom Boom Room).

 Find GPO Hotel is located at 740 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley — and head to The Gatsby, TAMA and The Tax Office websites for more details.