Bar Alto
The Powerhouse
119 Lamington St
New Farm, Brisbane
Tues-Sun 11am-late
Licensed
33581063

Is it a bar or a restaurant – both really, but who cares when you’re sitting on the wide jutting balcony inhaling the cool river air on a summer night before watching a show in one of the performance spaces of the Powerhouse.

And besides you’ll probably end up sampling the drinks menu anyway during a wait for a table as Bar Alto doesn’t take bookings, being in the heart of an arts centre with all the comings and goings. So you can drop in for a drink, tapas, a meal or all of the above.

Show or no show though, Bar Alto treats its captives well - the food is bordering on sublime and worth a wait or paying a visit for. Pastas, which are its signature come in entrée or main sizes – try the papardelle with goat ragu or the Venetian crespelle of pumpkin, sage and ricotta. Otherwise the entrees or the lamb or the pork belly or pretty much everything else won’t disappoint.