Brisbane has had its first taste of a new $10 million transformation as the doors reopen at Bracken Ridge Tavern (BRT), following the completion of stage one.
Visitors can now enjoy the new Italian restaurant Two Wise Guys or the Laneway Café, which sit alongside the hotel’s original steakhouse, Panama Jack’s.
The café, restaurant and dining areas are connected by a new laneway precinct, which flow into a sophisticated yet comfortable garden terrace.
BRT also offers new family-friendly seating, kids’ zones, spacious outdoor and indoor dining as well as private dining rooms.
The gaming room has had a full contemporary Las Vegas style revamp including custom joinery and new machines.
The northside multi-generational destination has been completely reimagined by KP Architects and brought to life by Rohrig Constructions, purposefully designed to ensure comfort and connection as well as the flexibility to move from casual catch ups to special nights out.
At its heart, though, is always its community, and each update the pub has seen over the years has kept its locals’ needs in mind.
The pub was first established by Carlton United Breweries on St Patrick’s Day in 1975, and leased by the White family in 1980, who went on to purchase the leasehold in 1989.
Now the second generation of the White family, Elisabeth and Chad White, are honouring the family legacy left by Michael and Jenny White, while building on the community spirit the family has fostered for the last forty-five years.
“We wanted to create something that feels familiar yet unexpected, somewhere locals can still enjoy their favourite parmy, but also discover a pizza that could easily be served in Rome,” said Elisabeth.
Named in honour of both Elisabeth and Chad’s grandfathers, Two Wise Guys was created from the family legacy.
It pays homage to Chad’s Sicilian Nonno Giovanni, who made his own wine, cured his own meats and grew his own vegetables. The second ‘Wise Guy’ is Elisabeth’s grandfather Lewis, a Darling Downs butcher and drover who made his own sausages when he wasn’t raising cattle.
“Two Wise Guys is a love letter to our grandfathers, who were humble men, believing the best meals start in the soil and end at the table, surrounded by friends and family,” said Chad.
To honour their grandfathers’ stories, the couple ensure they retain the Italian know-how and pair it with the best of local produce.
Pizzas are made with this in mind – from the hand-rolled dough, which has been rested for 48 hours, to the custom-built oven imported from Italy and the Sicilian chef.
Panama Jack’s also has the same attention to detail – whether it be serving Nolan’s grass-fed locally sourced steaks, Darling Downs pork cutlets, barramundi from Humpty Doo, Tasmanian salmon or Gippsland lamb chops.
The wine list also celebrates the best of family-owned Australian wineries.
“This renovation is about bringing people together around good food, made properly, with a story behind it,” said Elisabeth.
2026 will see the completion of stage two, bringing a new function room and sports bar.
