Everyone has walked into a bar and fallen for the place instantly, imagining themselves whiling away future hours over several drinks within its welcoming confines. That same sensation hit Range Brewing’s co-founder Matt McIver when he was looking for a new space to expand the Newstead-based beer business’ footprint. “When we found that space in Paddington, it was literally love at first sight,” he tells Concrete Playground.
McIver is chatting about Patio, his latest venture with his Range pal Gerard Martin after the pair started their brewery back in 2018. Since then, they also set up shop Melbourne in 2020, and just gave their OG Brisbane location its own pizzeria and barrel hall — the latter to host functions and weddings. But this team isn’t done growing yet.
“Patio is going to be a neighbourhood craft beer, wine and cocktail bar. It’s something that we’ve wanted to do for a little while, which is have more of a suburban presence in Brisbane, and really latch onto another community that we think a space like that will work in,” McIver explains.
“We’ve always wanted to have something with space outdoors, because of the climate that we have here in Queensland — and who doesn’t love sitting outside on a patio or a deck? We’d always wanted a space like that where people could come and enjoy our beers.”
The spot in question: Baroona Road in Rosalie, the former suburb-turned-Paddington locality, in the space that Moga Izakaya & Sushi previously called home. When it opens its doors towards the end of May or in early June, Patio will turn the brick building into an Aussie pub-influenced watering hole. And yes, to make the most of the weather, the focus is on al fresco experiences — including in a leafy beer garden.
“It’s got a beautiful pavilion-style patio, then a smaller full-sun patio outside. And then a space inside that’s like an old 1900s Queenslander, which has been architecturally redone upstairs and downstairs to to fit a couple of businesses in,” McIver continues.
“Outside doesn’t actually require too much of an upgrade, but inside was fully gutted, so we’ve rebuilt our own space in there, and have designed it ourselves.”
Moga, Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons
Thanks to Myers Ellyett Architects, patrons can expect both a layout and fitout that pays tribute to the corner bar and the front bar of old pubs, with Melbourne drinking spots an influence.
“We’re leaning into 80s Australiana vibes with the colours and the styles we’ve chosen to go with in there, but we really just want it to be a super-comfortable space for people to feel like they’re at home, but be out and relaxing having beers — and enjoying a wine or a cocktail,” McIver advises.
Inside, the venue will feature the bar, cosy booths and window tables, plus burgundy hues and dark oak amid the rustic brick. The mood: warm, welcoming and relaxed, a feeling that is designed to fill the whole place.
Range’s brews will be pouring through the ten beer taps, naturally, while two others will be devoted to wines that McIver and the team have made with LATTA Vino. More tipples, including wine, spirits and cocktails, will also be available.
And, after launching Jacopo’s Pizzeria in Newstead, Patio will sling its Roman-style sourdough slices, snacks and sweets. Down the line, there’s plans to broaden the menu, too, with a focus on fresh Italian options.
Patio is set to open at 2/146 Baroona Road, Paddington at the end of May or beginning of June — we’ll update you with further details when they’re announced.