Kerbside

Awesome prices, cool location. Really down to the basics and this is what you need!!!

Very cool and chill place in what looks like a converted warehouse. One of my friends mentioned that it looked as though a frat boy had decided how to decorate the whole place since it looks like no two pieces of furniture were picked at the same time.
To me however, that personifies the funkiness of Kerbside and the we-​could-​care-​less attitude that the bar exudes.
First thing that struck me was the wall of bottle beers. The bartender told me that at all times, they would carry at least 100 different beers from all over the world (I.e. Germany, Belgium, US, and Australia-​though to be fair, those are the heavy hitters). In my book, that’s a definite win.
After grabbing an American IPA that I hadn’t seen anywhere else in Brisbane, I plopped down on the plump worn cushions of one of the mismatched sofas. It was one of those on-​off rainy days in the middle of the Brissy summer where we get about 10 minutes of torrential rain every hour. But in Kerbside? No problem! The partially shut steel doors to the front and back of the warehouse blocks out the majority of the heavy rain and let in just a small sprinkle of water to remind us about what was going on outside.
Final plus? The restrooms are immaculate and modern. Definitely shouldn’t have judged this book by its cover.

So my uni break has come to an end and I’ve only just realised I have wasted most of it in front of youtube watching Dr Phil reruns back to back.
Good old Facebook reminded me a friend was taking part in an art battle (Kind of like a rap battle with more paint and less knives) at ‘Scribble Slam’ — a monthly event run by Kerbside. Perfect excuse to get out of my PJ’s and co-​mingle with other humans.
My first impressions were a little dubious, it felt a little intimidating. Lots of weird for the sake of weird people, but that’s okay, it takes all sorts as my Grandmother used to say.
First stop, the bar. And what a bar! The beer menu is extensive, satisfying even my beer nerd boyfriend. Being that I am a poor uni student I stuck to the managers special board, ordering White Rabbit White ale for a meagre $ 7. Seriously. The last time I ordered one at a pub I paid around $ 14. This in itself had me sold on Kerbside!
The venue itself is a glorified garage with an eclectic mix of lifeline couches, rickety old porch swings and vinyl lounges with a glory box of blankets for the cold and underdressed thrown in for good measure. Although the décor was a little decrepit, everything was clean and functional, and the couches were super amazingly comfy.
«Hipster!» I hear you cry. OK, so it is a little hipster, but the kind of hipster that other hipster bars want to be. It had an authentic vibe to it which definitely grew on me once I checked my preconceived notions at the door. Think West End before people cashed in on the West End vibe.
Although I didn’t order food, I checked out the menu, pretty standard pub fare with items such as triple cheese jaffle, chips and other naughty snack foods featured. I spied on other patrons as they received their dishes and the food looked fresh and came out in a timely manner.
I will definitely be going again, although I will make sure to bring a group. It was okay as a couple however it really is better suited to a bunch of friends who just want to chill out in a casual, unpretentious atmosphere while drinking awesome beers.

Such a bummer. Read such good things and walked a few blocks to find Kerbside… only to find it closed. At 11:30pm on a weeknight. The guy that was closing up shop said it was a slow night so they closed early. Weak.

I found myself a bit intimidated by Kerbside the first couple of times I walked past it. The odd garage-​esque entrance, grandma furniture and the bearded hipsterinos drinking beer and lounging about in their amish clothing threw me off a bit. Plus, I always thought it was a bit pretentious (and, well, hipsterino) to spell curbside as kerbside. Apparently, the spelling is correct… my bad.
And then I walked in, and I met some friends, and I ordered a drink and I really enjoyed myself. I looked around, and I started getting the coolness factor of it all. I’m not much of a beer drinker (although i love me some pale ale) so I went for some scotch. The bartender helped my friend customize a drink for herself based on the flavors she enjoys, and really REALLY went out of his way to jazz it up to her liking. So the service was awesome, the drinks were fine, and the atmosphere was slightly forced, and in the end, it all came out to be a solid 3 stars in my book.

My partner loves this place. Great selection of beers and great hang out for happy hour and late into the night.

As a craft beer aficionado, Kerbside has become my favorite go-​to spot to unwind. I like the fact that they use salvaged furnishings — not only it gives it an unique, ok maybe not so unique, look of a giant fraternity living room, but I personally think it’s environ-​friendly.
Graffiti art and knick knack art and photos (including of Paul «Crocodile Dundee» Hogan), wood panelings covers the walls and back. Each row area are themed (just look at the beams near the walls).
I’m not going to lie — IMO the food isn’t that great — at least the time I tried it, but once you get a couple beers in, I don’t think it would matter. Besides Kerbside is for the drinks not the grub.
Kerbside regularly offers three beers on tap — the offerings change weekly, I believe. They have a large range of liquors, some top of the line. And take your pick of over 200 bottled craft beers.
Tip: Instead of staring into the rows of bottles and getting overwhelmed by the visual choices, ask for the list — it helps having it organized on paper, or ask for suggestions from the bartenders.
P. S. Love their bathrooms — glass doors lead inside, and they have Dyson automatic hand dryers (the best kind one could get out there).

Here’s the thing.
Yes, it’s a big shed filled with furniture someone scavenged from the tip.
Sure, it’s like hanging out in a mate’s back shed, except at a mate’s back shed the drinks are cheaper, the music is better, you can find a seat, and the patrons (unlike those I’ve seen at Kerbside on numerous occasions) will use the bathroom facilities, rather than the wall/​forklift.
I think there’s plenty of places that do the junk theme better. I really only go because I have a few friends who like the place. It’s certainly nowhere I would ever choose to go.
I guess if you’re one of those hipster sorts it’s probably the place for you, but I can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed a visit here. The company might be good, but if you’re sitting around one of the tables inside, you’re not close enough to anyone to yell over the music in any case.

There earlier today on a Sunday for a Bloody Mary and it was completely empty. What a perfect Sunday hang out :)
Other than the perfect serenity I was so lucky to enjoy, the bar is hopping other nights. I love the music (one of the few places in town I know I’ll love whatever’s pumping), the décor, the atmosphere, the service, the staff and the cocktails. Good selection of ciders and beers too.
Definitely a staple of the Brisbane bar-​goer.

Kerbside is the kind of place that every self respecting craft beer enthusiast should visit on a regular basis. The fridges are a colourful display of all things beery, though there’s cider and spirits for those with booze persuasion of a different kind.
Perfect for a Sunday session when there’s live music, a relaxed vibe and cheap drink specials. There’s plenty of seats and you’ll either feel like you’re hanging out at Grandma’s place or some uni dorm room, which means you can focus on having some good brews and chilling with your mates instead of feeling like you’re on show in some fancy-​pants bar. WIN.

Sorry, Kerbside. I’m downgrading you to four stars, because in my original review I gave you the extra one for the bartending prowess of one Chris Denman, who’s now opened up his own little place around the corner. Plus your drink prices have been creeping up lately and I’m not overly keen on this. You’re still lovely on a weekend afternoon, though, I’ll grant you that.

Kerbside is a great place to relax with friends and have a lemonade, fancy beer, cider, whatever floats your boat! It can get a bit busy on Fridays and Saturdays, but that’s to be expected when the vibe is so great.
The music is pretty relaxed most of the time, the bar staff are always nice and friendly and the décor is really cute. If you don’t know already, all their furniture has been salvaged from Kerbside collection (get it?).
On Sundays they sometimes have a free sausage sizzle and if you’re lucky, they’ll have vegie dogs! It depends on the kitchen though, so don’t rely on it.
Kerbside also hosts a variety of events every now and again, from Drink and Draw to Storytelling nights. This is a great way to get to meet new people, socialise and have fun.
There is also a market held on the second Sunday of every month (Kerbside Lane Markets on facebook) that hosts a variety of vintage and handmade stalls. I’ve been a participant for over a year now and it’s been great. The people browsing are friendly and you can always chat to the stallholders. Sometimes there are even small local bands/​solo artists that you can listen to, which is rad!

I have herd many people rave on about Kerbside but to be honest, I do not like it as much as so many people. Yeah, it looks cool and a lot of effort has gone with the decore but it is really not THAT great. I have never been a fan of lines and at Kerbside, you have to line up to get in the place then line up again to be served at the bar.
Kerbside does have its perks, their drinks menu is huge with a nice range of ciders and the bar staff are extremely friendly and knowledgable. The downside– it is expensive and you will have to wait 10 minutes to get served.
The décor is very kitschy, think mis matched furniture and nanna-​like trinkets and decorations. This look is becoming more and more popular and to be honest, I am a little over it. But her, each to there own; there are obviously plenty of people who find this sort of thing very fetching.
Overall, Kerbside is not an awful place. If you do not mind waiting in line/​s, Kerbside is a nice bar with great service.

There’s a certain irony about creating a deliberately laid back space, complete with lawn furniture and your daggy uncle’s record collection hanging on the walls, only to have it be so well-​received that hanging out there on a weekend becomes decidedly un-​relaxing. Maybe I’m being a bit of a whinger but I recall the last time I went on a Friday night, trying to casually lounge against a wall with my drink only to be constantly moving out of the way of the teeming crowds.
But surely that’s a #firstworldproblem not worth too much thought. The drinks here are pretty spectacular, with barman Chris Denman one of the most highly lauded mixologists in town. ‘ve ordered a Mint Julep from him which he mixed up in record time, managing to simultaneously make me feel really cool for ordering such an uncommon drink. Smooth operator…

Kerbside is one of a bunch of nostalgic bars that have burst onto the Valley scene. Furnished with op-​shop tables & chairs and decorated with vinyl records, Kerbside will fulfil all of your retro dreams. They are open during the day as well as evenings and do some lunchtime meals and bar snacks. It’s a great place for a function, as the seating is arranged into a few little group areas as well as scattered individual tables.
The best thing about this bar is the relaxing vibe, so avoid it on Saturday nights if you want to chill out. My favourite time of day to visit is a Sunday afternoon, which is the perfect time to sip on a St Helier’s cider (seriously, try it) and listen to some tunes with friends.

Everyone knows that porch swings and alcohol are a wonderful (if slightly dangerous) mix. Until Kerbside opened, the delight of swinging and sipping was reserved only for people lucky enough to own porch swings of their own. I’ve always wanted one even though the size of my place doesn’t allow for it, but now thanks to Kerbside I don’t have to miss out.
Kerbside opened last year and is fast becoming one of the Valley’s favourite drinking spots. Housed in what is pretty much a big shed, the huge space is covered in astroturf and a motley crew of tables, chairs, armchairs, stools, benches, and of course the porch swings. You can’t help but feel like you’re at a cookout on someone’s front lawn circa 1970.
The bar sells the usual beers, wines, and basic spirits and also does some pretty nice cocktails. The other night the bartender invented a drink for my friend that involved Coco Pops. My first thought was ‘why do they even have Coco Pops behind the bar?’. The drink was delicious and just like the bartender said: ‘just like a chocolate milkshake only boozy!’.
Kerbside is very cool, very casual, and one of the Valley’s more relaxing venues. The music is at a volume that allows for conversation so it’s ideal for a few beers, a chat, and a go on the porch swing.

I love this eclectic little bar. All the retro pieces of furniture just work together so well.
I’ve only met one person who said they didn’t like Kerbside, and when questioned he said «it feels like you’re just hanging out back in a mate’s shed», to which I replied «EXACTLY!»
One time we arrived just when they opened on a Saturday afternoon and the place was pretty empty. We were there playing some card games and the bartender came and joined in.
I don’t think I’ve ever ordered a drink here — I just ask the bartender what beers are new and what they can recommend and I haven’t been let down yet! Last time I was there I had a fruity beer night, trying both a peach beer and a banana bread beer.
Kerbside is also renowned for the Pear cider and bitters — a must try!
If Chris Denman is in the house, get him to make you a cocktail. He’s an award winning bartender who makes a mean drink.

A great addition to Brisbane’s café/​nightclub scene, Kerbside has a refreshing, chilled out vibe.
By day, this curious laneway joint acts as a café, tucked away in the backstreets of Fortitude Valley. With free Wi-​Fi available and assorted couches in abundance, it is the perfect spot to chill with mates, study, write this review, and generally escape the hectic mess that is Fortitude Valley.
By night, this café transforms into a quirky yet stylish bar, with the friendliest staff I have ever met. Introducing themselves by name (and even shaking my hand) they happily chatted while whipping up delectable cocktails and serving boutique beers. While dressed like suave gentlemen, the bartenders are nerds at heart and love a good converstaion about gaming, comics or anything really. The atmosphere stays chilled out at night, with the DJ spinning eclectic tunes at a reasonable loudness, allowing you to bop along but also easily hear the conversation you are part of. Definitely my favourite place to start and end a night out in the Valley.

Love love love love love Kerbside with all my heart.
Fantastic for a coffee and a chat in the mornings but even better once the sun goes down and the drinks get poured. The staff here seem to have a genuine love of cocktails and beverages, and you will always get good, solid and unique advice as to what to drink.
Friends are always ‘checking in’ at Kerbside on a Sunday afternoon — its casual and breezy interior make it the perfect spot for a lazy late brunch and early drinks.
My only criticism would be that basic spirits can sometimes get a bit costly — $ 9 for a gin and tonic seemed a little much when you can get a cocktail custom-​made for about $ 15. But there’s a great range of beers and ciders, and I cannot enthuse enough about the awesome light fixtures which adorn the glorified warehouse setting. Everything about the décor exudes charm and individuality, from the indoor garden swing to the hospital bed glass table.
Kerbside is a fun and fabulous destination for coffee, drinks and good good times.

Not only does this venue ooze cool, not only does this space inspire creativity, but as it turns out, Kerbside’s bartenders can drop some serious cocktail knowledge.
Perhaps you’d be as surprised as I — what initially simply looked like a cool, laid-​back urban-​industrial bar where I’d imagine happily throwing back a beer (or five), completely blinded me with science when the bartender busted out his cocktail knowledge. Looking to order a cider, I reluctantly told the fine fellow behind the bar that my favourite spirit was tequila. Before I knew it, he had a grin from ear to ear and posed a beautiful question: «Reposado, Añejo or Blanco?» This was a very good sign, and it only got better from there.
I won’t bore you with the details, but I’d highly recommend you experience it for yourself. Have your favourite spirit in mind and a few hours to spare and Kerbside will treat you very, very well. Mind=blown.