Best bar in Australasia owners to open two new Brisbane bars

The owners of the 11th best bar in the world have teamed up with a local hospitality heavyweight to open two new Brisbane venues

The award-winning crew behind Australasia’s best bar and the 11th best bar in the world have teamed up with a local hospitality guru to launch two exciting new Brisbane venues.

Sydney’s Maybe Sammy has become an icon of the global cocktail scene revered for its top-notch, theatrical drinks and now owners Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo and Andrea Gualdi have joined forces with Salt Meats Cheese boss Stefano De Blasi to open two new bars and eateries in Fortitude Valley.

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Taking over the spaces formerly held by Foresters restaurant and Altitude by Foresters in the FV by Peppers building, the new venues will be unlike anything Brisbane has seen before with cocktails so OTT they could include a breakable bubble of smoke or even a hand cream that matches the flavour and scent of the drink.

Stefano de Blasi at new bar and eatery La Costa in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

The ground floor La Costa – which means the coast in Italian – will act as an all-day eatery by day with a menu including baked Spanish eggs, panna cotta with granola and bacon and egg burgers.

It will then transition into a sexy tapas bar from 5pm, serving Mediterranean fare such as a build-your-own charcuterie or antipasto plate, blue swimmer crab bruschetta, nduja risotto and fried white bait with aioli.

The menu will change frequently depending on what’s in season, with customers encouraged to order on their phone using a QR code.

Stefano de Blasi at his new rooftop bar Cielo, which offers views to the Story Bridge. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

The cocktail list downstairs is still a work in progress, but De Blasi said a signature will be $10 mini martinis in a rotating array of up to eight flavours.

Meanwhile, upstairs will be a gorgeous new, Amalfi coast-inspired rooftop bar called Cielo, meaning sky in Italian, so diners can “elevate their night”, said De Blasi.

There’ll be no need to queue at the bar for drinks, with full table service provided, along with premium bottle service for those looking to celebrate a special occasion.

Boasting views across the Valley to the Story Bridge, the off-white, peach and yellow bar will serve light dishes such as carpaccio, a mix of bruschettas, oysters and a kingfish ceviche, alongside an impressive signature cocktail list with Maybe Sammy’s unique flourishes.

DJs will keep the vibe light on Fridays and Saturdays, while Sundays will be more chilled with upbeat live jazz.

Bartender and Maybe Sammy co-owner Andrea Gualdi will be putting his talents to work at two new Brisbane venues. Picture: Toby Zerna

Both bars will have a strong but different wine list favouring Australian and European vino, including proseccos and sparklings, Pet-nats, and orange wine. While there will be eight beer taps at La Costa and four at Cielo pouring local craft.

The new venues will also service the adjoining hotel, providing special cocktail packages in the rooms, in-room dining and food delivery for the communal spaces. Meanwhile Cielo will offer free community rooftop yoga from Monday to Wednesday to help build community spirit.

Both bars will officially open on December 9.

Stay tuned to Kitchen Confidential for more news on the FV by Peppers development.