Owners of Brisbane music icon The Zoo to open new bar
The owners of one of Brisbane’s most iconic live music destinations are set to launch a bar for “grown ups” offering great beats, tasty food and top-notch drinks.
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‘A rock ‘n’ roll bar for grown-ups” – that’s how the team behind Brisbane’s iconic music den The Zoo is describing their new venue that’s set to open next month combining music, mezcal and more-ish bites.
Stranded will move into Fortitude Valley’s Winn Lane – above Ben’s Burgers and a guitar string fling away from The Zoo – and will be a place for artists and music lovers to feel “connected and inspired”, while enjoying a drink and something to eat.
“We wanted a more adult experience than you would have at The Zoo and somewhere you could have a great cocktail and listen to great music on vinyl and just sit back and enjoy yourself,” said Cat Clarke, who owns the business with husband Luke ‘Boo’ Johnston and Shane Chidgzey.
Setting the mood for good times will be the 1925-built building in which it’s based. With a Brooklyn, industrial loft vibe, it features exposed rafters and brick walls, and a collection of music paraphernalia and artwork carefully collected by the trio from vintage stores, op-shops and private sellers.
Guests can expect the likes of Eighties Nick Caveposters alongside retro radios, candles melting wax along the walls and religious artwork in a subtle nod to Australia’s first punk band The Saints, with the venue taking its name from the music group’s album“(I’m) Stranded”.
“It has those nods to punk and rock ’n’ roll heroes from days gone by,” Clarke said.
The 80-seater also boasts an almost 2m cactus cowboy in honour of the venue’s focus on the agave spirit mezcal.
Behind the 7m solid timber bar will be more than 40 mezcals sourced from across Mexico and beyond, with many also forming the base for their seasonal signature cocktail menu created by Bailey Bergman, Steven Prasad and Roghan Besterwitch.
Classic cocktails will also be available, alongside Mexican and South American beers and a global wine list running from organic and natural wines to mainstream vino to ensure there’s something for everyone.
As for the food, expect a share-style, Mediterranean menu created by The Zoo chef Luigi De Santo, with dishes suitable for simple snacking, or as a proper sit-down dinner. Think pumpkin and pancetta arancini, deep-fried pasta tubes filled with ricotta, and 32-hour slow-cooked, mezcal-infused beef cheeks.
The venue is also positioning itself as a late-night hangout, with the kitchen open until 2.45am on Friday and Saturdays, and after 11pm Tuesday-Thursday, with DJs playing vinyl Thursday through Saturday.
For those wanting to keep the party going later, the trio will open a bottle shop downstairs, with a strong focus on natural, biodynamic wines and booze from around the world, while also serving coffee after 2pm.
Stranded is due to open early next month.
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