Glass - Brisbane

LOCATION
Adjoining the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Art. Three minutes’ walk from Fortitude Valley train station.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Glass Bar and Restaurant lives up to its name. The low-lit décor is dominated by the cool lustre of retro glassware, giving the whole bar an eccentric feel. This is a place of genuine, urban cool. Two blocks removed, it feels a world away from the frantic bustle of the Brunswick Street Mall. The sophisticated feel of the local art scene comes to the fore with the most talented local jazz performers who perform two nights a week. On alternate nights house DJs spin suave acid-jazz tracks. Music levels are kept low enough for conversation to flourish as customers chat amiably over elderflower and chocolate cocktails, or nibble on tapas dishes before a performance at the adjoining Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Art.

Exotic liqueurs and spiced fruits feature in the boast-worthy cocktail list which which encompasses such variation it should have its own tasting plate. The extensive menu features signature mixes and classics delivered with a contemporary twist. Designer drinks don’t come with a big-ego-bill so everyone can enjoy the creative concoctions. Tonight a group of art students sip on the Alpine Spice - a blend of Wyborowa Vodka and Jagermeister mixed with the sweetness of cinnamon sugar, fresh ginger, chopped coriander and mint, a sprinkle of chilli and finished with lemon juice and bubbling ginger beer. Provocative flavours are stirred together in the indulgent Bonitas that blend Don Julio Reposado tequila and Pedro Ximenes sherry with orange essence, then serving it with dark chocolate and chilli dipped cherry tomatoes. The meze plates lure in curious fingers as they pick at the plump glossy olives and Mediterranean dips. Tapas plates are shared among friends with a nearby table passing around a plate of scallops and prosciutto glazed in maple syrup and lime, and chicken tenderloin skewers that are laced with chilli. A couple is served a thin-crusted pizza that is spread with beetroot tapenade and topped with chicken breast, brie cheese, fresh rocket and sprinkled with the sharp taste of parmesan. With colourful drinks and exotic tapas dishes, Glass is ideal for pre-theatre drinks or just for a cool night out with that extra touch of jazz-style class.

Aran Ward Sell