Overview
Thanks to Brisbane's enviable winter weather, picnics in the park, wandering through gorgeous greenery and hitting up outdoor food festivals aren't off the agenda when the middle of the year hits the River City. So, to make the most of the Queensland capital's sunny climes even when it's supposed to be frosty, Roma Street Parklands is hosting a new July food festival, Providore Park, complete with a croquet club, a garden dedicated to sparkling, DJs and live tunes.
Free to attend in general, but with paid experiences also on the lineup — and your wallet needed for whatever you'll eat and drink, of course — this two-day affair will debut across Saturday, July 8–Sunday, July 9. Over one big weekend, Brisbanites can drop by the 16-hectare inner-city spot for bites while you're there and to take home, craft brews, food-and-drink matching masterclasses, swinging a mallet and more.
At The Village, a lineup of stalls will welcome attendees for browsing, buying and sampling. From oysters, cheese and deli goods to chocolate and pastries — plus a spread of wine, spirits, craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages — there'll be plenty of options. Goose on the Loose, Hum Honey, Lisboa Caffe, Margarita Margarita, Silver Tongue Foods, Nodo, Church Mouse Cheese, Gelato a Go-Go and Yarra Valley Caviar will be among the producers slinging their wares. Also, the folks behind them will be on hand, all chatting about their goods as well.
For anyone keen to up their culinary knowledge, the ticketed masterclasses will pair a trio of snacks with their ideal matching drinks — and, with limited places and prices from $30, they're bound to sell out when they go on sale on Thursday, June 8. Also ticketed is the Chandon Secret Garden, aka Providore Park's VIP lounge, which'll be serving attendees tasting platters paired with three drinks for $85.
For fans of Heathers, or just croquet otherwise, the pop-up croquet club will let groups of up to six people give the game a whirl for $60. Groups can hire out the entire grass court and get competitive while enjoying Minuty Rosé.
And, if you're keen to hang out in a private cabana with your pals, there'll be a picnic spot just for that, starting at $120 for four people. There, you'll get 90 minutes with a tasting platter and a selection of Chandon drinks.
Providore Park's daytime DJ lounge will take over the Lakeside Meadow with retro and new beats from 10am–6pm, while live tunes will echo from the Celebration Lawn's main stage across the same hours.
Brisbane Marketing
Providore Park runs across Saturday, July 8–Sunday, July 9 at Roma Street Parklands. Head to the festival website for further details.