Loft Bar

From sunset cocktails on the terrace to late night suppers and wine in the lounge bar, Loft is the Queensland-chic upstairs hideaway that has it all.

The roomy plant-filled terrace features a mix of wicker and wrought iron patio furniture from which to survey the rooftops of West End and its oldest pub across the street, while inside pays homage to the best of Queensland Home Beautiful mag style from last century: baskets of hanging ferns, red brick walls, vintage wall units stacked with books and trinkets, table lamps and comfy retro style lounges intermingled with raw timber bar stools and wrought iron arm chairs.

Cocktails are the serious business here and come Fresh (Oh My Colada), Carbonated (negroni or fizz), smoked (Smoky Martini, Applewood Treacle  or House Sour) or as punch by the glass, pitcher or bowl. The latter has come a long way from the days of soda, canned juice and fruit and whatever was handy to spike it with, with the choices here including  Pimms and Roses and a Westside Special of vodka, elderflower, honey, mint, lime and soda pop.

Wines, the other drink of the house are a specially selected list of local and overseas varietals and bubbles while the small selection  of beer on tap and by the bottle is a mix of craft and mainstream.

Food comes in taste or share plates and, as a rare bonus, is available until midnight. Tasting plates include anything from crepe and confit duck wraps, honey baked figs with triple brie and walnut salad to petit roast rack of lamb while main plates, designed to share, tend to be a conglomeration of the tasting plates and include a Ploughmans, Pintxos  and Seafood, with sides of French fries and kolsh battered onion rings.