The Village Social

The Village Social is a convivial little dive bar in Nundah that is packed to the vine-clad rafters with character, hosts live music acts on weekends, and offers a unique and original bar list,

On its cocktail menu and wall decor, The Village Social also pays its respects to the history of Nundah (Brisbane’s oldest suburb), whose first free settlers were German missionaries, and that was known as German Station from the 1850s to 1882.

Just inside the bar is a fascinating blown up black and white photograph, taken in front of where the bar now stands, featuring a line-up of happy Nundah-ners along Sandgate Rd taking part in their 1951 Jubilee Street Carnival.

Out back there’s banquette seating around the exposed brick walls or patrons can pull up a stool at the front bar (which even has its own cuckoo clock). And the back half of the bar still features the original terrazzo floors from a past era when the building was a bank.

Craft beer is at the fore at The Village Social, starting with 4 tap beers: Fortitude Pacer, Holgate Roadtrip, 4 Pines Pale Ale and Burleigh My Wife’s Bitter.

Pale Ales hail from Matso’s - Pearlers, Abita - Restoration, Quiet Deeds and Camden Town and Indian Pale Ales from Two Birds Bantam, Noisy Minor and Burleigh Brewing’s Figjam. There’s Golden Amber by Stone and Wood, Tow Birds (Sunset and Golden Ale) and Abita and Pilsener/Light includes Vale lager, Dos Blockos and 4 Pines Kolsch. There’s also Wheat Ales from Burleigh Brewing Co, White Rabbit and 4 Pines and ‘Darker Stuff’ including Matso’s Smoky Bishop  and Feral Smoked Porter.

And for those looking for a beer the is ‘Out of the Box’ The Village Social also serves Fog City Sangria, Abita Purple Haze and Matso’s Mango, Lychee or Ginger Beer. Meanwhile ciders include Fog City Apple and Sommersby Pear and Apple.

The carefully chosen wine list features a mix of local and international drops, with Reds coming from Coonawarra and McLaren Vale in SA, Spain and Italy, Whites from Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills, SA and Marlborough, NZ.

For those who don’t mind a drop of Pink, there’s Flowers for Lucy Moscato from Coonawarra or Domaine Des Charmes Rose from France, while choices of Sparkling Wines are Il Posto Prosecco from Italy or Coonawarra’s Koonara Piccolo.

The short sharp list of cocktails includes a couple of classics – Cosmopolitan and Old-Fashioned, a couple of new creations such as the Tanasia (Mr Black liqueur with fresh espresso and vodka) and 2 cocktails that pay homage to Nundah and its history: Danundah (tequila, passionfruit syrup and lime) and Das Haus – Jagermeister (German Digestif), Montenegro and cherry and orange bitters.

Good to know – Look up when you come inside and plastered across the entrance ceiling are newspapers from the 1940s and 50s. The ceiling beams inside that are entwined with vines were recycled from the old Mater Hospital.

The drinks menu may have changed since our visit.

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