Couple behind Proof launch new whiskey, cocktail bar

A new late-night cocktail bar will be heavy on the classic rock, top-shelf whiskey and cocktails flavoured with premium Australian ingredients. See inside the Toowoomba venue here.

Revellers will have a new place to party with Proof BBQ and Booze expanding its operation with the rooftop whiskey and cocktail bar.

The aptly named OverProof is inspired by the iconic Brisbane cocktail bar The Gresham which owner Ryan Lane worked at for seven years before he opened his first restaurant.

“I am going back to doing what I have always done,” he said.

“Proof was always going to be a bar that served barbecue but people treated it like a restaurant so we just went with it.”

OverProof, Toowoomba’s newest rooftop cocktail bars opens.

The new bar is inspired by The Gresham, where owner Ryan Lane worked before launching Proof BBQ and Booze.

While Proof is all about low and slow barbecue, bourbon and country music, OverProof will hit a slightly different note, leaning into whiskey, cocktails flavoured with Australian ingredients and classic rock.

It is Led Zeppelin to Proof’s Johnny Cash.

“It is a nice contrast within the same venue,” Mr Lane said.

“We are going to change things up a bit with Proof closing at 10pm and OverProof open until late.”

The renovation adds an extra 200 sqm to the venue which will expand again with plans for a 50 sqm deck.

The bar has plenty of cosy booths to hide away in.

“They say George Banks is Toowoomba’s iconic rooftop bar, well OverProof will be its most ironic rooftop bar,” Mr Lane said.

The big move comes after Mr Lane and his wife opened the Toowoomba restaurant more than 13 months ago in the notorious Clifford Street venue that has been home to three previous bars that closed prematurely.

That’s not to say the business has not had its challenges with Mr Lane closing his two Brisbane restaurants in the past two years.

“The snap (Covid) lockdowns claimed my Woolloongabba business and the February flood claimed my house and my Windsor business,” he said.

“There were always plans that we would end up here and my wife gave up her career to come into the business full time.

“Prior to the floods, I would be up here one week and Renee would look after the Windsor store then we’d swap.

“Now we actually get to see each other.”

Overproof opens to the public at the weekend.

Proof owner Ryan Lane in the OverProof bar set to open above Proof BBQ and Booze. Picture: Kevin Farmer