Brisbane’s New Eight-In-One Venue
The revamped space opens in late October
By Astrid Taemets | 30th September 2020Exciting news for Valley-goers: eight funky new venues are set to open in the heart of Brisbane’s nightclub-district come late October, but the real clincher is that they’re all opening under the one roof.
Yep, you heard right. Eight venues, one roof.
The ambitious venture is the bold plan of Sydney-based group Tilley and Wills Hotel (Oxford Art Factory, Balmain Hotel), who took ownership of our city’s iconic Elephant Hotel pub on Wickham Street earlier this year (for a cool $20 mil no less), with the vision of turning the 132-year-old heritage-listed site into Fortitude Valley’s most impressive hangout. The mass reopening, which will see general manager Jason Hirt at the helm, will also reinstate the building’s former 1888 moniker, The Prince Consort, in the process.
General manager Jason Hirt at The Bowie Rooms in The Prince Consort. Image: David Kelly
It’s the first foray into Brisbane for Tilley and Wills – and a daring one at that – with nothing off limits, and everything on the table. The old gal will be spruced from top to toe, starting with an English-style pub and open-air Garden Bar set to occupy the ground floor.
Upstairs, super luxe supper club La La Land will feature booth seating, VIP private rooms and a dancefloor dominated by a crystal chandelier (fancy!), with dingy, American-style bar Greaser set to remain in situ. Sadly, the resident music and function space, The Foundary, won’t be part of the new unveiling.
Mexican-inspired 400 Rabbits Cantina will offer tequila and tacos (Ole!), while the Bowie Room – aptly named after the portrait of David Bowie etched directly into the wall – will be the place to immerse yourself in some music-driven underground edge. On the top level, music makers and creatives will find their home at The Yorke Suite, while The Naughty Corner, hidden in the heart of the building, will have 360-degree views of its neighbouring bars.
Drinks-wise, folks can expect 89 beers on tap across the site, as well as sizeable cocktail list.
The Prince Consort opens at 288 Wickham Street in late October.
The Elephant Hotel. Image: David Kelly
