Matt Moran's Riverbar + Kitchen Is Finally Set to Reopen on Eagle Street After This Year's Floods
It was fully submerged during February and March's devastating floods, but now the waterfront venue will relaunch in mid-October.
For the past ten years, riverside drinks along Eagle Street have frequently meant a trip to Riverbar + Kitchen, which opened on Riparian Plaza's promenade level a decade ago. While the Solotel and Matt Moran co-owned venue has been closed since late-February due to Brisbane's recent floods, it's relaunching in mid-October — so put those waterfront sips back on your agenda.
If you live in Brissie, and did when the River City lived up to its name in the wrong way earlier in 2022, then you likely saw the images of Riverbar + Kitchen doing the rounds. The entire place was submerged by the flooding, with just the tops of its yellow-and-white striped umbrellas sticking out of the water. It's no wonder, then, that it has taken more half a year for the venue to work through the damage.
"To see such a beautiful venue go under water was absolutely horrible," said Moran. "When the floods came, it wasn't just about losing the venue but you have all your staff and customers to worry about, too."
The chef and restaurateur can now see the tiniest of silver linings. "To rebuild from a completely blank canvas has been amazing — it's going to be a great refresh, a reinvigoration of what it used to be with a newer design, new branding and an elevated concept," Moran continued.
Patrons can expect a new fitout, clearly, as well as a refreshed food and drinks lineup. While the full details haven't been revealed — and neither has the exact October reopening date — Riverbar + Kitchen will welcome in Brisbanites from breakfast till late, serving brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks as well.
Three things that'll definitely feature on the new menu: a raw section heroing locally sourced seafood, plenty of fresh local produce in general, and a shared cocktail menu with drinks called Cherry Pie and A Walk in the Tropics.
Those stunning riverside views will return, naturally — and likely plenty of folks making the most of them.
Find Riverbar + Kitchen at Riparian Plaza, Promenade Level, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane from mid-October, with an exact reopening date yet to be announced.
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