Cocktail trees to quench thirst at new Brisbane bar

Fancy a tree filled with cocktails? That’s the quirky creation set to drive diners to a new bar and eatery when it opens in Brisbane.

Cocktail trees, live music, a pool table and a 25m green wall – get ready for Brisbane’s newest inner-city hangout.

Newstead Social is the work of local hospitality heavyweights Patrick Donohue and Justin Kong, behind the likes of Cindy Chows and Ling Ling in Fortitude Valley and Brisbane’s Melt Brothers, and will open late next month in Newstead.

Co-owners Justin Kong and Patrick Donohue inside their new venue Newstead Social. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Taking prime real estate on the corner of Masters St and Commercial Rd, the venue should sit somewhere between a restaurant and a bar/pub.

“It’s not high-end and it’s not too casual, it’s smack bang in the middle, which is what I think we’ve found our niche in,” Mr Donohue said.

Inside the new Newstead Social. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“It’s bringing people together in a good atmosphere with good food and beverage offerings.”

The stunning, industrial brick building has been designed to feel warm and welcoming with timber detailing, polished concrete floors, an impressive LED, concrete rendered archway bar, and more plants than a nursery, including a huge 25m green wall.

Opposite a pool table will sit a live music stage, with the idea to showcase local acts Friday through Sunday, including solo artists, duos and trios performing everything from classic pub sing-along tracks to pop hits and possibly funk.

The pool table inside the new Newstead Social. Picture: Zak Simmonds

And adding a sort of sports bar element to the venue will be eight 65-inch screens spread throughout the 600sq m space playing international sports and UFC matches that will no doubt fill the void left by nearby bar The Defiant Duck, which closed just after Christmas.

In keeping with that theme, the food will be your pub favourites such as parmies, ribs, steaks and oysters, plus their signature trio of platters, focusing on either meat, seafood or vegetarian and vegan options. Plant-eaters will also have a wide range of other dishes to choose from.

The library-themed live music stage at Newstead Social. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Draught beer, spirits and wine will be curated to appeal to a broad demo, while the hero from the cocktail list will be their trademark “Newstead Social Spritz Cocktail Trees” featuring an iron tree wrapped in vines holding 10 spritz cocktails perfect for sharing, hens nights or birthday celebrations.

“We want to deliver quality food, affordable prices, a social get-together space and just an environment that people feel comfortable stepping through the door,” Mr Donohue said.