Toowoomba’s Proof BBQ and Booze restaurant joins CBD

The Toowoomba CBD has enjoyed a renaissance in recent months, with a number of a new venues opening up. For those with a love for slow-cooked brisket, one restaurant is a “must-go”.

Proof in Duggan St about to open. (Back from left) Ryan Lane and Luke Pitman with Stephanie Edmondson in the foreground. Picture: Nev Madsen.

A new Toowoomba CBD venue with a focus on slow-cooked brisket and boutique spirits will launch this weekend, in the latest boost to the city centre’s revitalisation.

Proof BBQ and Booze, which is based on Duggan Street, held a soft launch on Friday night ahead of its first weekend taking bookings.

The American-style restaurant and bar is the brainchild of Ryan Lane, who already has a similar venue in Brisbane.

Its centrepiece is a massive smoker called Dolly, which has seven square metres of cooking space.

Manager Stephanie Edmondson said she wanted Proof to be a venue for all occasions and people.

“We’ve got our original store in Brisbane, which was going to be a bar but it become a restaurant for locals,” she said.

“So we wanted to bring that to Toowoomba, where it’s about good food, good booze and a lot of fun.

“You can bring your family or all your mates, but we want people to sit down and enjoy that time together.

“We’ve got all these picnic tables outside along the laneway and we want this to be a venue for everyone to come and enjoy.”

Ms Edmondson said she was excited to see Proof join a host of newly-opened venues in the CBD, include the Brewhouse, Cork and Lever, Karan-an and Bodega.

“We’ve been talking to other businesses around the city area, we want to bring together the hospitality community and get Toowoomba involved with (the local scene more),” she said.

“Down this side of Margaret Street, it’s starting to boom.

“We’re broadening that city centre, so we want the hospitality sector to strengthen together, after all the lockdowns and restrictions.”

Mr Lane said the restaurant will pair its wide selection of brisket, rib pulled pork and classic of low-and-slow barbecue with local craft beers and American spirits.

Proof will be open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.

For more information, head to www.facebook.com/proofbarbeque.

Originally published as Toowoomba’s Proof BBQ and Booze restaurant joins CBD