Inside Brisbane’s new $3m open-air party venue

A new CBD venue is set to open boasting river views, food from a top celebrity chef and a table that doubles as a dance floor and catwalk.

A table that doubles as a dance floor and catwalk, river views, plus top-notch food and drink from a celebrity chef – The Aviary Terrace Bar is set to be Brisbane’s newest party spot.

The $3m open-air venue will launch next week at 480 Queen St in the CBD as a sister venue to steakhouse BOS promising a playful, elevated bar experience for adults.

Hostess Romina Vanzella and mixologist Declan John Watts inside the new The Aviary terrace bar, in Brisbane City. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

The work of TV chef Adrian Richardson, well-known local lawyer Liam McMahon and restaurateur Chris Higgins, The Aviary looks directly over the Brisbane River and is spread across a whopping 800sq m in the former Otto Bar site.

There will be seven booths, a custom fire wall, DJ area, plus a VIP dining table that seats 10 and doubles as a dance floor and catwalk for future fashion parades.

Two of the seven booths at The Aviary. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“We’ve got our very own rooftop-ish bar right in the city looking at the (Story) Bridge, looking at the Howard Smith Wharves, looking at the water. Where better for Riverfire, where better for Melbourne Cup or New Year’s Eve?” Mr Higgins said.

The venue will act predominantly as a cocktail and champagne bar, with hand-crafted drinks, a special margarita menu and world-class bubbles from the biggest houses in France; alongside wine of all price points and local and imported beer.

The Aviary boasts Brisbane River and Story Bridge views from its fourth floor Queen St location. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Meanwhile, the food has been designed by Good Chef Bad Chef star Adrian Richardson and will include a range of snacks and sit-down plates, such as chicken wings, arancini and reuben sandwiches.

“The food style is very much sharing and light and fun – fresh oysters, prawn cocktails, seafood platters,” Mr Higgins said.

The Aviary’s VIP table that doubles as a dance floor and catwalk. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

The venue will operate Thursday to Sunday, but Mr Higgins said they wanted to become the place to be for Sunday sessions.

“As a location in the city, we’re a one-stop-shop - we’ve got a serious restaurant and a great, fun bar,” he said.

The Aviary will officially open on August 24.