Osbourne Hotel re-opens in Fortitude Valley
The former site of Fringe Bar and Kerbside on Ann St in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is being transformed, converted into a new venue, The Osbourne Hotel.
The opening day is next week on October 6.
There’s nothing new about the name – it’s been around for 153 years. Back in 1864, it was the second pub to open in the Valley.
That’s what the pub was called until 1992. Indeed, people in the area still remember it as the home of the notorious Painters and Dockers Union. And it had quite a reputation: a man was shot dead there in 1974 and in the 80s, people would be served drinks by women on roller-skates in the '80s. Then there was the fire that swept through in 1984.
After 1992, it was known as the Dead Rat Hotel, and then the Rat & Parrot.
The building itself has been restored with a multi-million dollar makeover. Its original colourings, fittings and layout have all been restored.
It’s been turned into an 800 person venue with 94 taps. There is also a 400-seat glass-ceiling bistro and beer garden.
The drinks menu will focus mainly on beers,, offering craft, local and international brews.
There is also a cocktail list offering such as The Osbourne G&T, watermelon margaritas, barrel-aged old fashioneds and pineapple basil cucumber pisco sours.
Ex-The Alliance Hotel and The Walnut Restaurant chef Jamie MacKinney will be in charge of the menu offering pizzas, char-grilled meat and oyster plates, Peking duck spring rolls, karaage chicken, sweet potato and cashew empanadas, and cheese kranskies with onion jam.
There will also be a special daytime menu serving up lunch for under $20, with evening specials ranging from burgers to steak to wings.
And it will cater for more than just drinkers. The owners have turned the old boarding rooms on the first floor into function and meeting rooms. And there’s a private dining area for hire.
by Leon Gettler, September 28th 2017
