Meet Iris: Brisbane’s luxe new rooftop bar and restaurant

Get set to sip sangria and chow down on Mediterranean bites when Brisbane’s newest rooftop eatery opens boasting spectacular views of the city and river.

Spectacular city views, lavish cocktails from an award-winning mixology team and delicious Mediterranean eats – get ready for Brisbane’s newest rooftop bar and restaurant.

Crowning the recently opened Hotel X on Brunswick St in Fortitude Valley, Iris promises to be the place to see and be seen, from its showstopping entrance of stone and fire to its luxe interiors complete with an olive grove, blossoming wisteria, retracting roof, fairy lights and vista over the Story Bridge and Brisbane River.

The Ghanem Group’s Nehme Ghanem at new rooftop bar and restaurant Iris at the top of Hotel X in Fortitude Valley. Picture: Picture: Steve Pohlner

The impressive venue is the work of The Ghanem Group, behind Brisbane hospitality hot spots such as Blackbird Bar & Grill, Donna Chang and Byblos, as well as Hotel X’s new downstairs restaurant and lobby bar Bisou Bisou.

“[Iris] it’s a really cool place for people to come chill, have a few drinks, have some great food and listen to some cool music,” said The Ghanem Group’s Nehme Ghanem.

The view from new rooftop bar and restaurant Iris in Fortitude Valley.

The venue will sit right in the heart of Brisbane’s premier entertainment and lifestyle precinct with Howard Smith Wharves, James St and the Valley Mall just a party streamer throw away.

“Howard Smith Wharves closes at midnight so afterwards half of the people can go to Blackbird and half can come here,” Mr Ghanem jokes.

Iris will be Mediterranean inspired, taking influences from mostly Spain, as well as Italy, Greece, Turkey and even Lebanon, boasting a 200-capacity restaurant extending from the bar, which will specialise in sangria.

A selection of dishes at the new rooftop bar and restaurant Iris in Fortitude Valley.

Diners can expect a tapas and share-style menu with tasty bites using the best of Queensland produce such as red claw crayfish tails with guanciale and smoked chorizo butter, Moroccan-spiced toothfish tacos topped with cabbage and fennel slaw and preserved lemon mayo, or barbecue pork rib pinchos with macadamia honey glaze.

The new Hotel X in Fortitude Valley.

Hand-stretched flat breads with dips are sure to be popular, while a signature is expected to be the toffee apple churros tart featuring a fried doughnut tart shell filled with apple and soft caramel and finished with a fior di latte ice cream.

“[The menu] it’s a sort of a Spanish, Mediterranean feel,” said The Ghanem Group’s executive chef Jake Nicolson. “We’re not bound by any specific cuisine so it’ll be something suitable to the Queensland climate using great local produce.”

Iris will also boast a private dining space and poolside bungalows, while the whole venue will be able to be booked out for parties and functions.

The restaurant and bar is scheduled to open on April 30 and will operate from 11am until late daily.