This secret hideout of a bar attracts those who fancy elaborate, caffeine-spiked cocktails and streaming sessions of funk and jazz.
The Bowery is a blink-and-miss phenomenon. Its inconspicuous street appearance would fit right into a movie set tracing America's old years of alcohol prohibition.
Just like a secret hideout, this place is appealing because it's mysterious. The low-key street frontage only adds to its exclusivity. Wander through the blackened entry door to discover a bar setting thick with funk tunes and smooth old jazz. Timber-set booths and crumbly, raw brick walls add yet another layer of rough, underground charm.
The Bowery's crowd is suave and its bartenders treat mixing elaborate drinks as a true profession. Sample the signature Grand Affair - which melds Grand Marnier together with sharp Pisco, cardamom, fresh pineapple and cloudy apple juice. Such alcoholic creations may well be expected, but the retro Illy espresso machine (one of only a few in Brisbane) is a surprise to many. Its sole purpose is to enhance the coffee flavours released in a select few caffeine-jabbed cocktails.
Arguably one of the best cocktail bars in town, The Bowery can attract lines on Saturday night, so dress flawlessly and tip when you feel the urge. Despite the selective door policy, the bar still has an unpretentious dance-anywhere-you-like mood within.
Marissa Lynch
