Gertie's Bar & Lounge
Editorial
The New Farm restaurant strip in New Farm has seen its share of uber-hip eateries come and go over the years, but one of the constants has been the grand old girl Gertie's Bar and Lounge. The first wine and tapas bar established in the area has stayed fresh through constant re-invention, with the slightly sophisticated air it's often held seeming to let its guard down over the past 12 months.
Gertie's Tightarse Tuesday offering of two-for-one tapas now competes with its across-the-road rival the Alibi Room's $2 taco for the affections of the Indie-rock crew, and they appear to be winning the battle - any visit on a Tuesday will find half the bands in Brisbane tucked into every available nook and cranny, spilling out onto the street and savouring what is in all likelihood their only decent meal for the week. And if you don't book ahead, chances are you'll be watching others enjoy what's on offer from afar.
With a tapas selection ranging from Haloumi to Meatballs to Pumpkin Pizza and all hovering around the $14 mark, it's hardly surprising there is a jovial mood in the air. The two-for-one offer even extends to the drinks menu, with the regular $7 basic spirits halving in value and doubling the random conversation.
The bar itself is housed in one of New Farm's oldest buildings and maintains its original Art Deco-inspired brick facade, while the interior is all marble bars and polished timber. The street level window seating certainly provides plenty of opportunity for people watching during after-work drinks and the Saturday night warm-up crowd, while the sunken dining room still offers the touch of class Gertie's is renowned for. And if you're looking to wind down from the weekend with a Sunday session, chances are you'll catch a local singer-songwriter or flamenco duo in action.
Kris Swales, March 2008
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