Last week Brisbane jumped to the unleashing of Tilley & Wills’ former Elephant, the reworked and newly re-monikered Prince Consort landmark of Fortitude Valley.
Around 600 people freed from nine months of pandemic shackles came to celebrate the official launch, including actors, performers, musicians, foodies, business leaders and lovers of hospitality.
The dress code of ‘Whimsy Chic’ complemented entertainment including zebras on roller-skates, flame twirlers, samba dancers, geisha girls, burlesque performances, singer Tyrone Noonan, uber-DJs and a band in the Garden Bar.
Built 1888, in February the Brisbane institution known in recent years as The Elephant Arms Hotel was purchased from Riversdale by Sydney-based hoteliers Simon Tilley and Nick Wills.
The very large-format heritage pub has been reimagined into eight spaces – each a different experience. Prince Consort “and friends” are The Parlour, La La Land, 400 Rabbits Cantina, The Garden Bar, The Naughty Corner, The Bowie Rooms, The Yorke Suites and Greaser.
The Parlour Bar is the traditional public bar and a nod to the 132-year-old pub’s rich history. 400 Rabbits is a cantina-style food offering serving tacos, while upstairs via the ornate staircase, La La Land is a suave cocktail bar with booth seating and VIP private rooms, and the eclectic Bowie Rooms serve as private function spaces. Greaser, the popular basement bar, remains in place for high-volume partying.
The Yorke Suites, on the top level, are set to be “a boulevard of spaces” for musicians and creatives, while The Naughty Corner is to be found in the very heart of the hotel.
“Every pub has one, this time it’s official!”
Outside is The Garden Bar – an open-air oasis channelling “Queensland vibes”, brimming with botanicals amid a pastel palette.
The menus are courtesy of Jack Powlay, formerly of Lizard Island Resort, taking the role of executive chef at The Prince.
Consolidating Tilley and Wills’ inaugural leap north into the Sunshine State, the new swagger of the old Elephant set forth Wednesday night, treating guests to a huge range of cocktails, canapes and food stations.
Billed as resembling the possible love child of Alice in Wonderland with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Tilley – still “a bit dusty” from the celebrations – says the feedback and response from local punters has been huge.
“We’ve been busy as a three-legged dog trying to dig a hole in a marble floor!”
