Concrete Playground

Having opened in mid-2010, The Junk Bar in Ashgrove is a little suburban oasis where patrons can enjoy exotic beverages in a darkly lit and ambient corner bar. One of the bar’s owners, Jamie Trevaskis, is the man behind Brisbane’s dearly missed music venue The Troubadour, and while there is no live music at The Junk Bar, the lounge room-sized watering hole encompasses the same chilled, sprawling-couches vibe and retro taste in leafy wallpaper that the Troub was loved for.

Much like the name suggests, Junk Bar is filled with a mish-mash of prize-worthy junk store finds including leather and velour couches, old yet loveable lampshades and mounted deer heads. It’s cosy and eclectic with a strong seventies tiki, influence. The kind of place where a paisley shirted gentleman with a Magnum PI moustache would blend in nicely.

Den-style décor aside, Junk Bar’s main focus is on your drink, offering intimate table service and fresh cocktail concoctions. The beer selection is good, if a little limited, and the mixed drinks are stiff and made with love. Prices are reasonable considering the level of service and ambience on offer.

Those known to get the munchies during cocktail hour can rest easy. There’s no need to stoop to greasy kebab lows when at Junk. The bar conveniently offers a simple selection of snacks from the neighbouring eateries such as the local fish and chip store and Chinese restaurant.