Cloudland Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Stepping into the iconic Cloudland in Fortitude Valley is an experience unlike any other in Brisbane. For 15 years, the venue has cultivated an air of indulgence, weaving it into its aesthetic and the fabric of its events.

That same captivating essence has now found a new home on the venue’s ground floor, reimagined as Cloudland Garden.

This transformation marks a harmonious blend of the familiar and the novel, a fitting tribute to the site’s namesake—the beloved Bowen Hills dance hall that graced the city from the 1940s to 1982. Katarzyna Group, the hospitality mavens behind the upstairs Valley Hops Brewing, and other Valley favourites like Empire Hotel and Press.

Cloudland Garden Fortitude Valley — *Photo Credit:* *Cloudland Garden*

The club has masterfully preserved much of the original interior design and artwork. Yet, the space has also been refreshed with new seating, tables, and a renovated kitchen, now fully dedicated to serving a Mediterranean-inspired menu that celebrates the art of cooking with fire.

The atmosphere remains decadent, boasting bespoke hardwood tables with solid marble insets, plush booths, and abundant wrought iron within intimate pods. Guests are also granted a tantalising glimpse into the culinary theatre unfolding in the kitchen. While the setting exudes luxury, the mood is decidedly lively. Cloudland Garden may specialise in share-style dining, but its cocktail programme is equally impressive, offering 15 options ranging from classic concoctions to inventive non-alcoholic creations.

Those who prefer to begin their culinary journey with a drink will be spoiled for choice. The cocktail menu showcases seasonal ingredients, mirroring the establishment’s culinary ethos. Patrons can opt for the Agave Heat Wave, a tantalising blend of tequila, mezcal, lime, jalapeño, coconut water, and a tajin rim, or perhaps the Mango Gin Basil Smash, a refreshing mix of gin, lemon, mango, and basil.

The wine list has also transformed, now encompassing an array of sparkling, champagne, rosé, white, skin contact, red, and dessert wines. As expected, Valley Hops provides most beer on tap and various bottled brews.

With Head Chef Alec Kapitz and Executive Chef Andrew Musk at the helm, diners are treated to a symphony of flavours cooked over an Argentinian parrilla charcoal grill.

Highlights include the wagyu ribeye, woodfired Fremantle octopus with smoked labneh and chickpeas, butterflied spatchcock with chermoula and sorrel, seared wagyu beef skewers, kingfish tartare, pan-seared scallops, and lion’s mane mushroom.

The dessert menu promises to delight those with a sweet tooth. Indulge in malted crème brûlée with orange and pistachio biscotti, Basque cheesecake, charred pineapple with spiced rum and granita, coconut ice cream, or a curated cheese plate.

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Musk and Kaptiz emphasised their dedication to showcasing local and regional Australian produce, utilising a ‘less is more’ approach in the kitchen. This philosophy allows the inherent qualities of the ingredients to shine, whether through the simplicity of minimal preparation or the transformative power of the charcoal grill and wood-fired oven, particularly when it comes to seafood.

Cloudland Garden is not merely a restaurant; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Fortitude Valley, a place where the past and present intertwine to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Published Date 24-July-2024

Photo Credit: Cloudland Garden

The Fair Work Commission has recently ordered the termination of a “zombie agreement” that allowed the owners of a famous nightclub in Fortitude Valley to legally avoid paying penalty rates since 2008.

The Empire and Family Employee Collective Agreement 2006-2011 was made in 2008 and has passed its expiry date, which was on 1 June 2011. This allowed Empire Holdings – owners of Cloudland, The Empire Hotel, Press Club and the Warehouse – to not compensate their employees for penalty rates under the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020.

This prompted employees to file three applications to have the zombie agreement terminated with one application having been discontinued. The company through its General Manager Paul Janssen filed its own application requesting that the termination be set on 22 May 2022, citing that venues are already booked and cost-for.

However, one employee argued that it would be unjust to keep the EBA agreement until May 2022. The employee reasoned that given that the company had opened a new venue, Valley Hopes Brewing, “during a time when many other businesses couldn’t afford to stay open,” the company should then be able to pay employees “an industry-standard wage.”

Fair Work Commission Terminates Fortitude Valley Nightclub’s ‘Zombie Agreement' — Valley Hopes Brewing | Photo Credit: Cloudland / Facebook

“Empire holdings has a large team in the office and is 100% capable of costing new budgets for 2022 after taking into account new employees wages,” the employee said.

Another employee said that “previously budgeted weddings do not affect the majority of the staff. My team and I do not work in functions and deem this unfair as we work regular shifts in their main venues and should be paid accordingly.”

All employees were offered a flat rate of $50 per hour during the Christmas 2021 and New Year period 2022 but the company did not commit to a similar “undertaking” for Easter 2022.

According to Commissioner Jennifer Hunt, “a large contingent of employees are working for around $27 to $28 per hour for all casual hours worked by them, whether they are assisting with a function or not, or even when there are no functions in the locations.”

She added that employees who work on a Saturday are being deprived of approximately $5 per hour “when compared with the Award.”

Similarly, when employees work on a Sunday, they are also being deprived of approximately $10 per hour, and approximately more than $24 per hour when compared with the Award when they work on a public holiday.

Moreover, staff who worked Monday to Friday between 7:00 p.m. to midnight and midnight to 7:00 a.m. were denied with appropriate rates under the award which would have meant an additional $2.37 per hour or part thereof and an additional $3.55 per hour or part thereof.

The Commissioner said that a “zombie agreement” denies employees some benefits that they should enjoy under the modern awards, including penalty rates. She said that it should not surprise employers, therefore, that employees who are becoming more aware of the effects of these pre-2009 agreements are now applying for termination of their old agreements.

“If employers are enjoying a comparative benefit in reduced wages by application of very old agreements, which do not provide for penalty rates near-equivalent to the modern award that would otherwise apply, the clock is essentially ticking for those agreements.”

And whilst the Commissioner recognises that the employer will incur increased wages bill particularly with “functions pre-paid and the Employer’s stated preparedness to not increase charges to customers of those functions,” she ruled the Agreement be terminated effective 31 January 2022. She reasoned that the burden of increased wages should rest with the Employer.

“I am not satisfied that the bookings in place within its function rooms militate against the loss in wages experienced by its 200 large workforce when they work beyond 7:00 pm Monday to Friday, on the weekend or on public holidays. This is especially so when on some dates there are no events booked at all,” Commissioner Hunt explained.

Tag: Cloudland

New Growth in Fortitude Valley: Cloudland Garden Blossoms in Iconic Venue

Fair Work Commission Terminates Fortitude Valley Nightclub’s ‘Zombie Agreement’