Innovative & iconic hotels
Inside Liquor Brings You Four Of Brisbane's Best!
Meat pies, barbeques and watching footy with your mates, they're as Australian as it gets. But ask your average man or woman in the street to name the one thing that says ‘Aussie’ better than anything else and no doubt you'll be told ...The Pub.
Australians love their ‘Local’. It’s a place to unwind after work, to catch up with friends or to celebrate a special occasion with your mates. And when it comes to Great Aussie Pubs, Queensland has some of the best in the country.
So Inside Liquor decided it was time to take a closer look at some of the best that the Sunshine State has to offer.
We decided to focus on four of the best known hotels in Brisbane. From those steeped in history, to others who have undergone major facelifts to target the lucrative young singles market. Whilst each go about their business in different ways, they all share one thing in common – they each have a proven recipe for success.
The Story Bridge Hotel
The famous Story Bridge Hotel has seen many refurbishments in its time. Built in 1886 as the Kangaroo Point Hotel, the name was changed in 1940 to the Story Bridge Hotel to coincide with the opening of the actual The Story Bridge.
The original architecture of the building was classic "Queensland" style and is said to be one of only seven, three story Hotels in Queensland from this period.
The hotel has loads of character. A WWII bomb shelter at the rear of the hotel had originally been converted into a bottle shop. Further renovations saw the bomb shelter establish itself as part of one of the most original and well-known pubs in town.
The hotel is home to some of Australia's greatest special events: The Australia Day Cockroach Races and The National Festival of Beers. Both these events, which have become national institutions, have greatly contributed to the successful image of the Hotel, helping to keep it on the map and maintaining its status as a "happening place" - a living icon of Brisbane.
A true landmark, ‘the bridge’ has gained an enviable reputation for its fine food complimented by an extensive and interesting range of high quality flavoursome beers, wines and spirits. With three dining areas, an exciting and contemporary bar, an ‘urban beer garden’ - ‘The Outback Bar & Grill’ along with a new bottle shop & gaming room the Story Bridge Hotel really lives up to it's saying ‘it's all under the bridge’.
The Chalk Hotel
After many years of faithful service Wooloongabba's Railway Hotel has undergone a complete facelift transforming it into one of Brisbane's hottest new venues, the Chalk Hotel.
According to the Chalk Hotel general manager Jason Titman the 2500 sq m site and surrounding houses were purchased over a period of two years from 2003, due to the areas development potential.
“We believe this will quickly become the new “Valley” over the next five – ten years and we are really excited about creating a new destination,” explained Mr Titman.
And a destination it is. The venue is home to Chalk bar, Sticks cocktail and wine lounge and five star restaurant, Stumps main bar and Stumps Pizza, Steak and Seafood restaurant, function rooms, juice bar and a 100 car carpark.
The venue, 2 years in the making, combines a New York City style sophistication with the relaxed Queensland lifestyle.
The Chalk Hotel will carry over 30 Australian and international beers, an extensive wine list as well as a blend of traditional and unique cocktails and will serve fresh juice and coffee from 6.30am.
Chalk will also launch the “Top Shelf ladder concept” in the Sticks lounge, with staff needing ladders to reach the top shelves with the best quality spirits and red wines.
The Breakfast Creek Hotel
Mention famous Queensland pubs and you're sure to here people talk about The Brekky Creek Hotel. First opened in 1889, it is rich with history and atmosphere.
As soon as it opened, the Brekky Creek fast became a hangout for an odd collection of people you'd never expect to see together. The clientele has been described as “a disparate, yet harmonious blend of wharfie, coppers, journos…and small time criminals”.
The Breakfast Creek Hotel has many areas catering to different tastes. Out back the Spanish Garden restaurant serves the famous Brekky Creek steaks, with massive, tender rump steaks being the best sellers.
The Public bar is the heart of the Brekky Creek with it's original island bar. It is the perfect setting to reminisce with old mates, look at the history of the pub and the colourful characters that have made the Brekky Creek the people's pub.
The Private bar is home to the famous “beer off the wood” thanks to the wharfies back in 1977. With a petition presented to Castlemaine Perkins the Creek remains the only hotel in Australia to serve beer off the wood 7 days a week, with the traditional spiking happening at midday.
The Staghorn bar located in the heart of the beer garden is one of Queenslands most relaxing and historic tropical beer gardens, whilst Substation no41 is a late night bar with a great selection of premium beers and classic and original cocktails mixed with cool tunes.
The Stones Corner Hotel
Built in 1888, The Stones Corner Hotel is another of Brisbane's landmark hotels to have undergone a major facelift. Thoughtful renovations have transformed the hotel into a modern ‘café’ style hotel, whilst still maintaining its heritage charm.
The nightlife of the area revolves around The Stones Corner Hotel. Crowds dine on the sidewalk underneath the magnificent jacaranda tree, whilst others relax inside, enjoying a selection of 16 different beers on tap as well as an extensive list of wines and cocktails.
Live entertainment is a major part of the hotels popularity and as a result it can be found there six days a week in the T-Bar, along with the latest dance tracks and large screens for major sporting events. The gaming room is also popular with patrons, whilst the hotel is also able to cater for larger functions.
The hotel also boasts some of the best coffee you will find in Brisbane, and is served from 7am each morning, with breakfast on offer every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.
The Stones Corner Hotel cleverly manages a mixture of clientele and can truly claim to have something for everyone. Whilst those looking for a relaxing evening meal are well catered for in the dining areas, those looking to party will not be disappointed with all the action of the T-Bar.