Phoenix Bar

Just like its exotic feathered namesake Phoenix Bar has risen from the ashes of  the old Rum Jungle at the Bracken Ridge Tavern, bringing with it an unexpected touch of the city to this far northern neck of the suburban woods.

The tavern itself has been in the White Family for 30+ years and now their son Ben has turned part of it into a state of the art tapas and cocktail lounge terrace with layered refrigerator insulated roof, patio furniture and dedicated function rooms, one of which, when not booked out, makes a funky conversation lounge.

Character features include log tables made out of the remnants of Rum Jungle pillars, a cooling mist system in the roof for hot summer days and a popular pneumatic wine machine which divvies out top shelf wines such as Penfolds Grange Hermitage and WolfBlass Black or Grey Label by the sip, taste or glassful.

From the bar there are a range of beers and ciders on tap, an extensive wine list of sourced well known brands and unique touches such as Moet Ice, while cocktails are a house specialty and come singular like the Espresso Martini, Auntie Valerie’s Iced Tea or to share like the Put the Ketel on.

If these aren’t enough reason to visit, the food is top notch, the majority of it prepared and cooked on site or at least sourced locally (such as biscuits from Bite My Biscuit and coffee from nearby roastery Cleanskin).

Tapas wise, options include spicy buffalo wings, black tiger prawns in sesame batter with honey or smoked duck, apple and walnut cigars, mini pizzas and for something more substantial to share there’s crispy skin Cajun salmon, slow roasted spring chicken or roasted pumpkin and sweet potato in the mix. Leave room for dessert though, especially the salted caramel panacotta or American brownie.

All in all Phoenix Bar makes a great local for a coffee and sweet treat, pre or post drop in from a concert at the BEC or somewhere a bit different to gather a group, on weekends, afternoon or late evening.