A stunning new function room, aptly named the Rose Room for its splash of pink and blush-coloured hues, has opened this December in Fortitude Valley.
Located on the ground floor of The Constance Hotel, the Rose Room is just as gorgeous as its sister venue, the Dirty Sultan bar and restaurant found on the building’s rooftop.
You’ll gawk at the sight of this space the moment you’ll see the row of rose gold champagne bottles by the entryway. Once you step into the room, the vision before you could take your breath away.
Every design element has a “sharable” character to it — from the rose mural on one part of the walls to the tables and seats, the curtains, and the Turkish-style lighting fixtures.
The restaurant’s food selection even matches the decor with choices like the pink-coloured smoothie bowl, signature thick shake and the Baklava berry pancakes.
Photo Credit: Dirty Sultan/Facebook
The Rose Room is a cafe by the day and a party venue for cocktail parties and intimate gatherings at night, if you’re looking for a venue for a hen’s party or a themed-birthday celebration.
The cafe opens from Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast until noontime. On the other hand, function packages are detailed at the Dirty Sultan official site.
Do you struggle with deciding what to order from a menu? A newly-opened restaurant in Fortitude Valley is doing away with such a task by serving just one dish every night. Lloyd’s General Store came up with this quirky idea to take the farm-to-plate concept up a notch.
Lloyd’s General Store owners Elizabeth and James Lloyd also limit the number of plates they prepare each night. Taking on a more organic approach, Liz said that she wants the diners to know where the food comes from. Most of the ingredients used in the kitchen are from the farm of Liz’s parents in Ipswich.
Everything is cooked and prepared in front of the customers, within the eatery’s 40-square metre space. Liz said that dining at Lloyd’s General Store feels like you’re just in your mum’s kitchen and waiting for her to finish cooking.
The ambience is as cosy as a home kitchen with brick walls and large glass windows, wooden ceiling beams, vintage and recycled furniture and hand-painted decorations.
Photo Credit: Lloyd’s General Store/Instagram
But the eatery is also a providore with deli items, artisanal food items, pre-packaged terrines and pate, tinned sardines, as well as oil and vinegar for cooking.
Salads, croissants and coffee from Allpress are available during the daytime. At night, the restaurant serves wine and charcuterie, craft beers and hops.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Whilst there’s one main meal on the menu, guests coming in may either construct their own meals from the assorted pantry stuff or have Lloyd’s crew prepare the food. The Lloyds are also considering vegan options and a special dessert available for just one night.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Lloyd’s General Store, at 1 Brunswick Street and the corner of Gregory Terrace, used to be a hairdresser studio, a graphic design office and a florist shop.
For the store’s trading hours, follow @lloydsgeneralstore on Instagram.
A $5.5-million+ Artificial Intelligence Hub will soon be built in Fortitude Valley, part of a training hub called The Precinct meant to support businesses, startups, and the innovation sector by providing skills training programs and jobs to people in Queensland.
The state government will provide seed funding for the hub out of its landmark $755-million Advance Queensland initiative, along with some investment from the private sector. The state will also be bringing in international experts in AI and innovation technology as experts-in-residence.
Key Initiatives
To be managed by AI Consortium, the AI Hub will have four key initiatives which are meant to provide jobs to talented AI professionals in the state for a more diversified QLD economy.
grow awareness and connect Queensland businesses, industry, government organisations and universities to local AI talent and technologies;
showcase local AI talent and businesses;
deliver programs to develop AI talent (tertiary students, researchers and emerging AI businesses);
connect Queensland’s AI talent and solutions to other global centres.
Annastacia Palaszczuk has been quite vocal about the shortage of talent in the AI industry in Queensland and the need to provide skills training to fill the skills gap.
“Currently we have up to eight times more AI jobs on offer in the state than people with the right skills available to fill them,” she has pointed out in a recent statement about the initiative.
What to Expect
Specialised training and education will be available at the AI Hub for the state’s public sector and industry. Several Australian universities, along with local and international companies, have already expressed interest in participating in or initiating programs at the hub.
Kate Jones, Innovation Minister, explained that the seed funding from the government will act as a catalyst for private sector investment.
Photo Credit: https://www.dtu.dk/
Envisioned as a co-working place for startups involved in machine learning, advanced robotics, and speech recognition technology, the hub will also be a place for networking and mentoring as industry experts and talents from the technology sector gather together to teach and learn.
“It will also help to attract investment into Queensland startups and innovative local companies with AI-based solutions for global markets,” Ms Jones said.
Coming Soon
In a statement about the hub on its website, AI Consortium describes itself as “a group of technology-focused businesses…” which “…have been successfully operating, innovating and engaging in the development of artificial intelligence for many years.”
“Right now, due to the unprecedented global crisis we all face, Queensland AI Hub is embracing the virtual world of connection – as we should, given our interests. But, stay tuned, because later this year we will evolve from a just a digital platform to a physical hub where we can’t wait to collaborate face-to-face and build upon the strength of Queensland’s AI community.”
King of Kings, the over 30-year-old Chinese restaurant in Fortitude Valley, has been closed to diners since February. Loyal patrons, however, have no reason to worry amid concerns over coronavirus.
The owners of the Chinese-Australian family eatery has set the record straight in a social media post. They announced that shutdown is due to the restaurant’s major renovations and not the speculated COVID-19 disease.
King of Kings will reopen sometime in May. The owners also placed a sign on its entrance to let their customers know that it will be business as usual once the renovations are done.
Photo Credit: King of Kings Seafood Restaurant/Facebook
Major news outlets reported that the closure was due to the coronavirus crisis after Kings of Kings’ phone lines and email access were disconnected in mid-February.
It comes as many of Brisbane’s Chinese restaurants are reportedly experiencing a significant drop in business. The Chinese restaurant communities across Australia have also been reeling from the health scare.
Australia China Business Council head Helen Sawczak appealed to the public amidst the backlash affecting Chinese businesses, especially those in operation in Australia for many decades. She told media outlets that there are millions of Australian citizens with Chinese heritage who have no contact with the virus and those of Chinese ethnicity should not be the target.
Ms Sawczak also said that coronavirus is not a Chinese virus but a global humanitarian crisis. She encouraged the public to still enjoy their Chinese food and “not add to the hysteria.”
Love the taste of good old fashioned gin and tonic? Then mark your calendar for a sampling of the best from Australia’s finest distilleries this Saturday, the 29th of February 2020, as the Ginfused Festival returns in Fortitude Valley.
Pig ‘N’ Whistle on Brunswick Street is hosting and celebrating another showcase of glorious ginfused drinks. Expect a variety of mixers and flavours as heaps of local distillers have signed up for this spirited event.
Besides the classic lime mixer, these distillers will be offering unique various tasteful concoctions. Gin and tonic muddled in sorbet or chillies? You’ve got to come to the event to see and taste for yourself!
Pair your chosen gin with the perfect match of cheese or cured meats from a pre-purchased set served in a convenient charcuterie board upon registration. If you’re unsure what to get, free cocktail masterclasses will be underway to help you pick the best gin to go with the right type of food.
Sip and nibble on this relaxing weekend as live music plays in the background. But the fun isn’t done after you’ve gulped down all the drink you can have as a raffle draw will take place for some lucky gin lovers to win amazing prizes.
Register online to attend the festival, which will run from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
David Jones has confirmed it is closing its store in Fortitude Valley. Three years since it opened on James Street, the upscale department store will be shutting down in June 2020.
The site is the first David Jones to close in Queensland. However, a spokesperson said that this decision is in line with its “retail network strategy.”
The department store is optimising its operations as the needs and preferences of customers change. The company insisted that it is still doing OK.
With the impending shutdown, David Jones Fortitude Valley staff will not lose their jobs. Many of the team members have been redeployed at nearby outlets, including the biggest outlet in Brisbane at the Queens Plaza. This store is located some 5-kilometres away from the James Street site.
“We look forward to welcoming Brisbane customers to our QueensPlaza CBD flagship, our new-concept Carindale store and other surrounding David Jones stores as well as to davidjones.com,” the spokesperson said.
In August 2019, the department store’s owner Woolworths Holdings said, through its representatives, that it will be “aggressively” shutting down its physical stores as profits from these stores declined by 42 percent. In contrast, online sales during the second half of 2019 jumped by 61.8 percent, representing 10.4 percent of total sales.
Meanwhile, the outlet in Elizabeth Street in Brisbane City has also successfully contributed to last year’s sales. The site has undergone a massive nine-storey refurbishment, which is due for completion this March.
Seventeen years of memorable fun times at The Bowery in Fortitude Valley will come to an end as the owners recently announced they are closing shop. To mark this special, albeit sad day for its patrons, the bar will be hosting a big send-off on Sunday, the 26th of January 2020, its final day of trading.
“We would like to sincerely thank all the people that have made this great bar what it is, the staff, the bands, the DJs and all the customers that frequented the bar throughout its long run as one of Australia’s best cocktail bars,” The Bowery announced on its social media pages.
“The Bowery will be trading as per normal from tonight until Sunday the 26th of Jan. That Sunday we will be holding the official goodbye Bowery party. In which we will send the bar off in style.”
The relaxing and intimate watering hole on Ann Street is credited for moulding Brisbane’s nightlife scene. Patterned after 1920s New York’s dimly-lit dive bars with brick walls and red-leather seats, The Bowery launched in 2003 amidst large-scale drinking venues, which was then the rage in Queensland.
Locals, however, quickly became drawn to The Bowery because of its extensive drink list. The place also provided an easygoing vibe, where both staff and customers could have friendly and pleasant encounters amidst the cool sound of jazz music featuring The Bowery Hot Five.
There’s no need to travel far for a fun summer swim as Fortitude Valley’s X Cargo makes a splash with its unique take on summer swimming — a shipping container pool. The open-air, multi-use entertainment venue, located at a former empty parking lot in McLachlan Street, is also launching its first-ever X Cargo Pool Club to help you beat the summer heat.
Beginning 1 Jan until 1 March 2020, the X Cargo Pool Club will open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. X Cargo is turning its Eats Alley shipping container into a swimming pool to allow Valley locals and their guests to make some cool plans and dive into the summer party vibe.
Guests will have the option to rent a Cabana (for group use) or sunbeds (for individual use). Each rental is time-sensitive as X Cargo Pool Club will only accommodate 65 people per session to avoid crowding the party venue.
Good for eight people Private waiter and waitress service Towel service Ciroc bottle service Sun packs, including sunscreen
11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. *Strictly a 3-hour session per group
Sunbeds
Sessions
One person per sunbed Towel service
11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. *Strictly a 2-hour session per person
A total of five cabanas and 12 daybeds will be available per session and all guests have access to a private pool club bar with an exclusive menu, a DJ booth and private toilets and change rooms.
Secure your slots online whether you plan to come as a group or soak in the water solo to meet other cool people at the venue. If your group would like the place all to your own for a private party, The X Cargo Pool Club is also available for hire for The Baller package. Inquire about this service by emailing poolclub@xcargo.com.au.
Fortitude Valley’s LONgTIME, a popular Thai restaurant, has evolved into sAme sAme. From its former home in Ann Street, the new foodie spot, which opened in early November, has relocated to the dining precinct on Ada Lane, where its owners hope it will live on with much success as its predecessor.
As they say, it is “same same but different” as the new restaurant‘s core menu pretty much covers the very items served at the old place, such as the lobsters, grilled chicken in lemongrass, crispy pork belly, char-grilled beef short ribs, and curries with coconut and turmeric. However, LONgTIME’s successor will be serving up something new on the menu as well, including some seasonal recipes.
Photo Credit: sAme sAme/Facebook
Photo Credit: sAme sAme/Facebook
The new restaurant’s open kitchen with a charcoal fire pit is two times bigger than Longtime’s, providing the staff, led by head chef Ben Bertei, with more flexibility to work, operate and cook lighter meals. Unlike LONgTIME, this new foodie spot is serving lunch on selected days so visitors have more options to keep coming back.
Seating is 20 seats fewer than the old digs but the ambience is brighter and lighter with its neutral colour scheme. There’s also a long communal table that works as the restaurant’s centrepiece.
However, unlike LONgTIME, there will be no long queues by the back alley whilst guests wait for a table to clear. Instead, diners can head upstairs at LOS (Land of Smiles), where there’s a comfortable 45-seater bar, to enjoy some drinks before meals. LOS boasts of a long drink list, including tequila, and it’s open until 12 midnight.
sAme sAme is open for dinner from Tuesday through Thursday whilst lunch and dinner are served from Friday through Sunday. Meanwhile, LONgTIME will now be used as an events place for group functions.
The former Trails Ltd Ice & Cold Stores heritage-listed site on Bridge Street, Fortitude Valley is now a Stone & Wood Brewery. Officially opening its doors on the 31st of Oct 2019, the famous Byron Bay brewer has 150 seats for the ultimate beer lover thirsting for good-tasting hops.
Stone & Wood Fortitude Valley has the same casual and chill ambience comparable to its first site. As you drink your favourite bottle or glass, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of eats from a rotating selection of local food vendors that will offer food to complement the beer’s taste.
The opening month has kicked off with Mr. Bunz‘s popular crackling pork bao, king brown mushroom bao and peking duck bao.
Stone & Wood Fortitude Valley, however, is not a pub for late-night unwinding with your pals with musicians providing entertainment. It is a purely working brewery for walk-in beer drinkers and there won’t be spirits, TAB and cocktails for sale at this site.
But the venue is spacious enough to hosts community events, private functions, workshops and training. Catering packages will be available by mid-November.
