Luxury Stan’s Lounge Bar with vinyl music opens at Howard Smith Wharves

A well-known chef has merged LP music, vintage cocktails and timeless Hong Kong-inspired cuisine in a glam bar at Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves.

A luxury bar has opened at Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves on Thursday, spinning vinyl records for the mysteric atmosphere.

Stan’s Lounge Bar, located on the second level of Stanley Restaurant, will serve fusion cocktails and timeless Hong Kong-inspired cuisine in front of a vintage JBL sound system.

There will be DJs spinning records most nights and during the midweek album listening sessions.

The soulful music was handpicked by Artemus Group music director Dan McCarthy.

“With Stan’s, we wanted to create a genuine listening experience,” he said.

“The goal was to create a venue where people could relax into the music and truly connect with the space.

“It’s about creating moments that resonate long after the night ends.”

Stationed at the waterfront of Brisbane River, the bar features outdoor seating with a story bridge view, as well as a lavish private lounge with hand-painted mural walls, and cocktail tables of aged brass and mirrored glass for a dark, mysteric and moody setting.

Stan's Lounge Bar has a dark mystic atmosphere. Picture: supplied

Stan's Lounge Bar uses dragon fruits in their cocktails. Picture: Grace Koo

Cocktails were modern inspirations by traditional Chinese flavours and timeless alcohols, crafting lychee martini and dragon fruit margarita. It also features premium gins and vodkas, with tinctures of yuzu, cardamom and sichuan pepper for a personalised cocktail.

The bar showcases rare and exceptional premium bottles including vintage spirits dating back to the 1960s and exclusive limited releases from around the globe in a custom-built cabinet.

Howard Smith Wharves founder and director Adam Flaskas said the team came up with a space that captured the charm of Hong Kong’s past while delivering exceptional drinks, food, music and service.

“We came up with the vision and idea to create Stan’s bar upstairs,” he said.

“There are so many different cocktails in the bar here.

“I had a negroni tonight, the 50-year-old gin, the 50-year-old Campari.

“I had never had a negroni like that before.

“It is basically a collaboration of passionate, dynamic people giving their love and heart and soul into something they love, which is great hospitality, creating amazing memories.”

Snacks at Stan's Lounge Bar. Picture: supplied

Executive chef Louis Tikaram crafted a high-end fusion snack menu, bringing steamed lobster and truffle dumplings with aged black vinegar, rolled Peking duck pancakes and tropical crayfish wrapped in lettuce to the bar.

“We’re making a beautiful little snack food, and it’s just an awesome place to come, have a drink and listen to some good music,” he said.

“I think the best thing is three amazing things coming together – music, drinks and food.

“It’s just at one place. You can just go and have all three.

“You don’t need to go anywhere or get in an uber or go somewhere else to eat or drink.

“It’s all here under the one roof.”

Food reviewer Jessica Low said the bar gave an intimate sexy vibe.

“I think it’s very much needed in bracing for something like it here, even in the city,” she said.

“It’s a great repurpose of the space.

“If it’s going to be cocktail focused, it needs to have a point of difference and aligned with the menu.

“Here, they’ve done a very good job of that. You can see the Asian flavours come through to suit the Cantonese vibes.

“I’m definitely going to come back here.”