Brisbane’s transport network is about to gain a new underground link, with the Adelaide Street tunnel set to open for metro and bus operations from 29 September.
The 225-metre tunnel runs beneath Adelaide Street, creating a direct connection between the South East Busway and the Inner Northern Busway. Once fully operational, Adelaide Street tunnel is expected to carry more than 1,390 buses and Bus Rapid Transit vehicles each day, significantly reducing surface-level congestion and improving travel times through the city.
Photo credit: BCC/Facebook
Construction of the new tunnel has involved extensive testing to ensure readiness for daily services. A major systems trial in June included activation of smart transport technology, checks on lighting and ventilation, and integration of the tunnel’s public announcement system with the wider network. These measures are designed to deliver safer, more efficient journeys for passengers.
By diverting services underground, the new link is also expected to ease pressure on key city streets such as George Street and Turbot Street, where more than 1,000 weekly outbound trips will be removed from the road network.
Ahead of its official launch later this month, the public will have a chance to explore the tunnel during a community open day on Wednesday, 24 September. Visitors can register for one of several 20-minute sessions between 10:30 am and 2:00 pm, with entry via Reddacliff Place. The event will feature live music from a local string ensemble and the nearby Wednesday markets, making for a festive celebration of the milestone.
The Adelaide Street tunnel represents a major upgrade for Brisbane’s mass transit system, providing the foundations for faster and more reliable connections as the city continues to grow.
In a Queensland first, Fatcow on James St in Fortitude Valley has secured certification to serve authentic Kobe A5 Wagyu beef—one of the rarest and most prized meats in the world. The recognition places Fatcow among just 13 restaurants in Australia, and fewer than 100 worldwide, allowed to offer Kobe beef on their menu.
Kobe beef is often described as the pinnacle of Wagyu. All Kobe is Wagyu, but not all Wagyu is Kobe. To qualify, beef must come from Tajima-gyu cattle raised and processed in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and meet rigorous grading standards—including a Beef Marbling Score of 6 or higher. Every cut is traceable and certified by the Kobe Beef Association.
Only 3,000 to 5,000 cattle a year are designated as Kobe beef, making it one of the most exclusive meats globally. Fatcow’s certification followed an 18-month effort by Head Chef Garry Newton, working with Osawa Enterprises to meet strict requirements.
Owner Michael Tassis has described Kobe’s texture as so delicate it resembles room-temperature butter even when chilled—a fitting image for the melt-in-your-mouth indulgence awaiting Brisbane diners.
Fatcow’s launch allocation is deliberately limited: just 5 kilograms of Kobe beef, expected to last about five to six weeks. Diners can choose from:
Portion Size
Price
100 g sirloin
$175
200 g sirloin
$349
What Else Is on the Menu
While Kobe beef is the headline act, Fatcow offers plenty more to impress. Seafood lovers are greeted by live oyster and lobster tanks at the entrance—a Brisbane first—while the kitchen sends out dishes like lobster and prawn ravioli with crustacean bisque, seared scallops with smoked celeriac purée, and Oscietra and Kaviari caviar.
The wood-fired grill features five cuts of Black Angus and ten Wagyu options, alongside signatures such as the Wagyu tasting board, the gold-leaf wrapped Golden Fatcow rib fillet, and a Steak & Lobster combo. Desserts include Basque cheesecake, chocolate tart, and lime sorbet, while a 300-strong wine list and extensive whisky selection round out the experience.
About Fatcow and Its Founder
Fatcow on James St opened in 2024 under the direction of Brisbane hospitality operator Mr Tassis, whose portfolio includes several of the city’s most high-profile venues. Designed to impress, Fatcow blends theatre with sophistication: black leather booths, a glowing marble bar, mirrored ceilings, and private and semi-private dining rooms that can host up to 120 guests.
The Kobe certification further cements Fatcow’s position as a destination restaurant in Brisbane—one that combines spectacle, indulgence, and an industry-first milestone for Queensland dining.
While Wagyu has become a household name, Kobe beef is the most exclusive subset. All Kobe is Wagyu, but not all Wagyu is Kobe. To qualify as Kobe beef, the meat must:
Come from Tajima-gyu cattle raised and processed in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Achieve strict grading standards, including a Beef Marbling Score (BMS) of 6 or higher and top yield grades
Be certified by the Kobe Beef Association, with every cut traceable by ID
This sets Kobe apart as the pinnacle of Wagyu—rarer, more stringently controlled, and celebrated for its buttery texture and rich umami flavour.
A 300-strong wine list, extensive whiskies, and cocktail program complete the dining journey. The restaurant can seat up to 120 guests, with private and semi-private dining rooms available—making it equally suited for intimate date nights and large celebrations.
Fatcow on James St is more than a restaurant. It’s theatre, indulgence, and luxury woven together. Whether it’s the rare Kobe beef, the freshest lobster in town, or simply the atmosphere of a restaurant that knows exactly what it is, Fatcow delivers a dining experience that is bold, lavish, and memorable.
A tribute to a late friend has become a vibrant community space in Fortitude Valley, where owners Kawid Brikshavana and Ratinan Rattanathai have created So What Stereo, a cafe that pairs personal memories with classic vinyl and authentic Thai food.
For vinyl collectors, the greatest joy often comes from unearthing a rare record by chance. Many local food lovers are now sharing that same feeling of discovery with So What Stereo. Tucked away on Little Street, the cafe is easy to miss unless you already know it is there. Its location next to The Valley Grocer and other Thai businesses is helping create a small but vibrant community hub that some are calling a mini Thai Town.
The creation of the cafe itself was a stroke of luck. The owners, who are also the minds behind Hawthorne’s MaMeek eatery, had been collecting furniture and vintage audio gear for years, hoping to one day find the right home for their dream cafe. It wasn’t until they were shown a hidden, fully enclosed site that their vision finally clicked into place. After removing some internal walls and adding windows, they transformed the windowless box into the colourful space it is today.
The cafe’s name is a nod to the first track on Miles Davis’s famous 1959 album, Kind of Blue. That record changed jazz by favouring improvisation over rigid rules, and a similar free-form energy can be felt inside the cafe. The space is a vibrant mix of mismatched chairs, multicoloured walls, and pop culture items, with Rattanathai having sourced much of the decor from Facebook Marketplace.
This eclectic approach extends to the menu and the music. Brikshavana, who grew up in northern Thailand, is especially proud of his khao soi, a rich coconut curry noodle soup. He explained that he wants to serve the dish just like he remembers it from his childhood.
The menu also features other regional specialties like Thai boat noodles and Chiang Mai sausage. While customers eat, music from the owners’ personal record collection plays on the JBL speaker system. The selection is diverse, spanning from jazz legends like John Coltrane to rock bands like Korn, reflecting a belief that the sound feels just as the artists originally intended.
Beyond the food and music, So What Stereo is a deeply personal project. The design was sparked by the work of Brisbane artist Gina Ward and heavily influenced by the mid-century modern style of Brikshavana’s parents. He shared that every piece of decor reconnects him to his family.
The cafe also stands as a tribute to Brikshavana’s late friend, the jazz musician Matt Clare. A saxophone belonging to Clare now sits proudly in the cafe. Brikshavana was inspired by his friend’s fearless approach to music and life, an attitude that now shapes the welcoming and unconventional atmosphere of his own community space.
So What Stereo is located at 4/15 Little Street, Fortitude Valley.
From 3 September to 5 October 2025, SK Steak & Oyster at The Calile Hotel on James Street, Fortitude Valley, will feature Grey Goose Tiny Tini flights priced at $45. The Brisbane restaurant joins Maybe Sammy in Sydney and Apollo Inn in Melbourne for the month-long martini celebration.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Collaboration Across Three Cities
The collaboration showcases each venue’s unique martini recipe, with guests able to sample creations from all three establishments without leaving Brisbane. Each venue also offers its individual cocktail in a full-size serve.
Apollo Inn Martini: Grey Goose Vodka, vermouth blend, Mildura mandarin
At Apollo Inn, an alternative flight is served one at a time and features slight variations, including smoked olive oil in the SK version.
Full-Size Serves
Each cocktail is also available in its complete form. The SK Martini is priced at $95 and served with a Gazander oyster and caviar. The Maybe Sammy Martini costs $26, and the Apollo Inn Martini is available for $30.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Recognised Venues
All three participating bars are listed among the World’s 50 Best. SK Steak & Oyster is housed within The Calile Hotel, ranked 25th Best Hotel globally. Maybe Sammy is ranked the 26th Best Bar, and Apollo Inn is recognised on the Discovery Bars list.
The Grey Goose Tiny Tini flights run for one month only, offering Fortitude Valley visitors a chance to experience signature martinis from some of Australia’s most acclaimed venues.
Golden Avenue officially opened on 26 August 2025 at 67 Edward Street, marking the Anyday group’s seventh venue and its first outside Fortitude Valley and New Farm. The project has been in planning for more than three years and introduces Middle Eastern flavours to the group’s expanding portfolio.
Culinary Direction
The restaurant is led by co-owner and culinary director Ben Williamson, group executive chef Adam Wolfers, and head chef Tim Yates. Williamson previously oversaw Gerard’s Bistro, while Yates most recently worked at Scully in London. Together, they bring strong experience in Middle Eastern and wood-fired cookery to Golden Avenue.
Photo Credit: Golden Avenue/Instagram
Menu and Dining Experience
The menu draws on influences from the Levant and Maghreb, prepared over multiple wood ovens and charcoal grills. Dishes include kibbeh nayyeh with Urfa chilli and sheep curd, wood-baked flounder with preserved lemon, swordfish shish with hawaij spice, Spring Bay mussels baked in a clay pot with fennel and roasted rice cream, and a 700-gram machoui lamb shoulder. House-made breads such as pita, saj, and potato sourdough pita are baked fresh to order. Desserts feature luqaimat doughnuts with saffron anglaise and a baklava mille-feuille.
Design and Atmosphere in Brisbane CBD
The 500-square-metre venue was designed by J.AR Office and combines concrete textures, pink granite surfaces, greenery, and skylights. Inspired by Moroccan riads but with a brutalist edge, the design incorporates seven retractable roofs and a mezzanine level to create a bright and open dining space. Music, curated by creative director Graz Mulcahy, adds a further layer to the atmosphere.
Golden Avenue also includes GA, a walk-in-only bar with its own street entrance on Edward Street. The bar offers a separate menu of snacks and mezze, alongside a selection of more than 130 spirits.
Golden Avenue is open from 11:30 a.m. daily, providing Brisbane CBD with a new dining option centred on Middle Eastern flavours and wood-fired cooking.
Brisbane City Markets is giving locals a chance to escape the city with a VIP Strawberry Picking Experience and staycation. Valued at over $800, the prize lets one winner and a guest pick strawberries at Fresh Berries Direct and enjoy a night at Mount Mee Country Lodge, an hour from Brisbane.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Photo Credit: Supplied
Organised by Goodwill Projects, the market offers fresh, farm-direct produce, artisan goods, and gourmet foods. Vendors like Fresh Berries Direct, with over a decade of experience from Caboolture and Stanthorpe, bring regional Queensland produce to the city. The market connects locals with farmers and artisans, promoting healthier eating and supporting small businesses.
A Straw-bulous Escape
Entries for the competition close on 25 August at 4:00 PM, with winners announced on 26 August. Brisbane City Markets at Reddacliff Place runs every Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 266 George Street, Brisbane.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Mount Mee Country Lodge provides rustic, comfortable accommodations with mini-golf, sports courts, a pool table, and movie and exercise rooms. Perched atop Mount Mee, the lodge offers sweeping views of the Glasshouse Mountains and Moreton Bay, letting visitors relax in nature near the city.
How the Community Can Join
Locals can enter the competition through an online form, providing basic contact information and sharing feedback about Brisbane City Markets.
The initiative aims to engage the community directly, allowing market-goers to influence the experience while giving them a chance to enjoy a unique farm-to-lodge adventure.
Photo Credit: Supplied
The promotion also highlights Goodwill Projects’ focus on creating meaningful community events that showcase local produce and experiences.
Supporting Local Producers
Through this initiative and regular markets, Goodwill Projects continues to support local growers and artisans, helping them reach a broader audience.
Queensland Rail has issued urgent safety warnings to passengers after a concerning increase in injuries across the South East Queensland network, with Fortitude Valley station recording 12 reported injuries in the past financial year.
The suburb’s railway station ranked third highest for passenger injuries statewide, behind only Brisbane Central with 50 incidents and Roma Street with 38, according to new data released during Rail Safety Week.
The figures represent a significant jump from the previous year, with total customer injuries across the network rising from 299 to 350 incidents during the 2024-25 financial year.
Queensland Rail’s general manager of security and emergency preparedness Drew Brock attributed the spike directly to increased passenger numbers following the introduction of 50-cent fares in August 2024. The fare initiative, which began as a six-month trial before being made permanent in November 2024, led to a 17.9 per cent increase in train patronage compared to the same period in 2023.
“We had 55 million passenger journeys, so since the 50-cent fares came in we have seen new customers coming to the network,” Brock explained during the safety campaign launch.
The majority of incidents involved slips, trips and falls, with outcomes ranging from minor bruising to serious hospitalisations requiring treatment for broken bones. Video footage released by Queensland Rail showed passengers falling between platforms and moving trains, getting caught in closing doors, and tumbling down station stairs.
For Fortitude Valley commuters, the data serves as a stark reminder of the importance of platform safety, particularly given the station’s underground location beneath the Valley Metro complex and its role as a key transport hub for the area’s busy entertainment and business districts.
Brock emphasised that many injuries could be prevented through basic safety awareness. “It really is just a case of using common sense. Don’t rush for the train, there will always be another train. Don’t put yourself at risk by going over the yellow safety line, always stay vigilant,” he said.
Common causes of injuries include passengers taking luggage, bikes, or scooters on escalators instead of using lifts, and people slipping in the gap between trains and platforms at older stations that lack rubber safety barriers.
Queensland Rail has issued key safety recommendations for passengers:
Stay behind the yellow line until trains come to a complete stop
Hold children’s hands when travelling and mind the gap
Use lifts or ramps when carrying large items
Pay attention to surroundings rather than looking at phones
Plan journeys and arrive early to avoid rushing
Use lifts instead of escalators when travelling with bikes, scooters, or heavy luggage
The safety warnings come as public transport use continues to surge across the region. Data shows more than 93.3 million trips have been taken in South East Queensland since the fare reduction began – an increase of 18.3 per cent from the benchmark period in 2023.
While the increased patronage has been welcomed as a sign of the initiative’s success, railway operators stress that safety must remain the priority as more people use the network.
“We see a range of outcomes in these instances all the way from a bruised ego to serious injuries like hospitalisations with broken bones,” Brock warned.
The Rail Safety Week campaign aims to educate both new and existing passengers about platform safety as the network continues to attract record numbers of users taking advantage of the affordable fares.
A Bentley in the window, cocktails served in lava lamps, and furniture you can actually take home, Fortitude Valley’s new nightclub, Pawn & Co., is not just a place to dance but a space where nearly everything is for sale.
Pawn & Co. landed in Brisbane in mid-2024, instantly drawing crowds with its “party-meets-pawn-shop” twist. Tucked along Ann Street in Fortitude Valley, the two-storey venue lets guests sip cocktails, dance to DJs, and even buy the décor, from vintage gramophones to high-end cars.
It’s open Thursday to Sunday, starting with theatrical drinks from 6 p.m. and shifting into nightclub mode from 9 p.m. on select nights. Over 250 items have already been sold through its ever-changing displays. Originally from Melbourne, the concept mixes nightlife, retail and a bit of curiosity into one unforgettable experience.
Everything Is for Sale — Literally
Pawn & Co. may look like a vintage pawn shop, but here, almost everything, including the DJ booth and wall art, has a price tag. Its ever-changing collection, sourced from local pawnbrokers and collectors, keeps the space fresh and unpredictable.
You’ll find $10 trinkets sitting alongside a Bentley worth over $300,000. According to staff, the biggest sellers so far include quirky toys, costume jewellery and cheeky adult items.
Cocktails That Double as Theatre
Pawn & Co.’s cocktails aren’t just served, they’re staged, arriving in locked vaults, framed prints, or boxes filled with rose petals. Each drink is inspired by a signature scent, developed through the venue’s in-house perfumery.
This scent-to-cocktail connection adds a sensory layer that sets the experience apart. Guests can also take part in private sessions where they create their own fragrance, later turned into a custom cocktail. It’s a playful blend of mixology and storytelling that feels both personal and unexpected.
Upstairs: The Vault of Curiosities
Upstairs, Pawn & Co. gets cheekier with its “Vault of Curiosities”, an adults-only lounge featuring risqué novelty items, all available to buy.
Think vibrators, harnesses, and other unexpected finds you wouldn’t normally spot in a nightclub. The vibe is edgy but lighthearted, with staff emphasising humour and guest comfort.
Even the bathrooms play along, hidden behind mirrored glass with a two-way mirror overlooking the bar. It’s all part of the venue’s mission to surprise, delight, and never take itself too seriously.
Prison Island, an indoor team challenge concept that originated in Scandinavia, is expanding into Brisbane with a new venue in Fortitude Valley. The experience, already operating in cities across Europe and Melbourne, is designed around completing various challenges in themed rooms known as “cells”. Each cell requires a combination of logic, skill, or physical coordination. The concept has been developed by Make It Now and is co-produced with Fever.
Photo Credit: Prison Island Brisbane
Experience Format and Game Design
The Fortitude Valley venue will open on 4 September 2025 at 162 Alfred Street. Players form teams of two to five and are given 90 minutes to complete as many of the 35 challenge cells as possible. The rooms range from physical tasks like basketball and laser mazes to puzzles testing memory, reflexes, and communication. The format is designed to appeal to all ages from 7 years and up.
Each challenge cell features a different objective and scoring system, with tasks such as dodging beams, colour puzzles, and interactive props. Game outcomes are tracked digitally, and teams earn points based on their performance in each room.
Venue Applications and Group Options
The Fortitude Valley venue caters to a wide audience including families, friends, schools, and corporate groups. Group bookings are available for teams of over 20 players, and sessions can be tailored for special occasions such as birthdays, bucks and hens parties, or workplace team-building events. Smaller group bookings can be made via the event waitlist.
Among the themed cells are games such as “Whack-a-Mole”, “Studio 21”, and “Joker”, each with its own stress rating and scoring system. Participants are encouraged to work together and play to individual strengths across different types of challenges.
Photo Credit: Prison Island Brisbane
Community Response and Ticket Availability
With thousands of global participants having tried Prison Island, organisers have reported strong early interest in the Brisbane venue. A public waitlist is already open, and general ticket sales begin at 6:00 p.m. on 5 August 2025. Sessions will run from the September launch onwards, with bookings available through the official website.
Prison Island Brisbane introduces a new indoor leisure option in Fortitude Valley, combining elements of sports, puzzles, and strategy into one structured experience. With 35 diverse challenge rooms and a format suited to groups of all kinds, the venue is positioned as a year-round activity for locals and visitors.
After more than a decade, the wait for Australian fans is finally over as global superstar Kesha announces her first headline tour of the country, set to include a massive outdoor performance at Riverstage in Brisbane City.
Kesha is bringing The Tits Out Tour Down Under for four major city stops in February 2026. Beyond the Brisbane show at Riverstage, the tour will also visit Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, giving fans across the country a chance to see her live.
The Australian leg follows an extensive run of shows that began in the United States in July 2025 and will continue in Europe in March 2026, making it the most significant tour of her extraordinary career. Her setlist is expected to be packed with hits like ‘TiK ToK’ and ‘Your Love Is My Drug’ alongside powerful new tracks ‘JOYRIDE’ and ‘Only Love Can Save Us Now’.
For many fans, this tour is more than a concert; it’s the celebration of an artist’s profound evolution. Kesha first burst onto the scene as a glitter-dusted force of energy, with her 2010 debut album Animal defining the sound of an era. However, her career path shifted dramatically following a protracted and highly public legal battle that began in 2014, which effectively put her music on hold.
She re-emerged with 2017’s critically acclaimed album Rainbow, shedding her past persona for a rawer, more vulnerable sound. The album, which featured the Grammy-nominated song ‘Praying’, marked a redefinition of her artistic identity. This journey of creating deeply personal and empowering music has continued through her subsequent albums, including the critically praised 2023 release, Gag Order.
The tour supports her latest work, which includes her sixth studio album, .(PERIOD), released on 4 July 2025. The 11-song collection is described as a defiant and unfiltered declaration of artistic freedom. Conceived, co-written, and co-produced by Kesha herself, the album is a raw and personal sonic journey that showcases an artist who is refusing to play it safe.
It represents Kesha at her most powerful, turning her experiences into vibrant and audacious art. This new music, combined with her catalogue of global hits, promises a concert experience that is both a massive pop party and a moving story of strength.
The tour marks a huge moment for local fans, who will finally see the pop icon in her first headline run of the country in more than a decade. For those eager to secure a spot, tickets go on sale this week. Tickets and venue presales commenced on Tuesday, 5 August, at 10:00 AM. The general public will have their chance to buy tickets on Friday, 8 August, starting at 10:00 AM.
