Now Open: You'll Find Pints, Parmigianas and Games of Pool at New Hamilton Gastropub Portside Social

It's time to get social in a different part of Brisbane. Two years after Newstead Social first opened its doors, the team behind it is now pairing brews and pub grub at the chain's second location. Portside Social started welcoming in patrons on Thursday, September 19, 2024, with a familiar — and popular — formula at play. Think: pints, parmigianas and pool, plus beers, barbecue ribs and burgers. The venue also hosts live music, drag bingo, trivia evenings and weekend bottomless brunches.

"After building a loyal following over at Newstead Social, we're bringing our signature energy over here at Portside — a proper drinking hole where you can come along whether you're in a sundress or your activewear," explains owner Justin Kong.

"I live locally and think it's such an incredible location," he also noted back in February when the venue was initially announced. "There's a diverse demographic in and around Hamilton who will benefit from having a bar like Portside Social in the mix, with few venues of this kind available in the area."

Bars, restaurants and a cinema have long been part of the Portside Wharf experience, but hitting the pub for a cold one over a parmi hasn't previously featured at the Hamilton precinct — until now. The inner-north area is in the middle of a $20-million revamp, with Portside Social joining fellow newcomers such as The Ballpark, Rise Bakery, Fosh, Rosé Gelateria and Birds Nest Yakitori from over the past two years.

More venues are on the way, too, including French brasserie Mademoiselle, Italian restaurant Sbagliata and burger joint Dumbo.

For All Stars Hospitality Group, which is behind Portside Social, this is a case of taking a successful concept to a different area of town to create a sibling venue — after the Newstead Social model has proven such a hit. Their latest venture sprawls across 224 square metres in the precinct's riverfront village, near Gusto da Gianni and Burrito Bar Portside, and joins the company's stable of hospitality sites alongside Wonderland Nightclub, Melt Brothers and more.

Going big on green in its decor by Clui Design and builders Lowry Group — in hue, as well as with plants around the place — Portside Social mixes earthiness with industrial touches. Customers can sit inside or out. Go with the first and you can perch around the eye-catching central bar beneath pendant lighting. Opt for the second and you'll get comfortable at high tables while taking in the fresh air.

From the food menu, patrons can tuck into crispy wings, arancini balls, honey chicken skewers, and a choice of halloumi, pulled pork and grilled fish tacos to start with. The mains include fried chicken burgers, vegan schnitty burgers, barbecue beef and bacon burgers, wagyu bolognese, slow-cooked barbecue garlic ribs and three different steaks, while chocolate brownies are the sole dessert choice.

Really love parmis? There's a challenge to eat 1.7 kilograms of the beloved dish, aka four pieces stacked together. It'll set you back $70, but if you finish it — and the 400 grams of fries and house salad that it comes with — within 25 minutes, you'll win a $150 venue voucher for your next visit.

Like the culinary range, the drinks also stick with classics, aka beer, wine and cocktails. Drop by from 11.30am on weekends for the boozy bottomless brunch, which serves up signature dishes with non-stop brews, vino and mimosas.

Find Portside Social at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton — open from 11.30am–10pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sundays, and from 11.30am–11.30pm Friday–Sunday. Head to the venue's website for further details.