Brisbane’s nightlife scene welcomes a new player with the opening of Penelope, a bistro, bar, and music den. Opening in late February, the new hideaway comes from the Coats Group, that also owns MAYA Rooftop and Il Molo Italian Kitchen & Bar.
Penelope’s draws influence from European supper clubs, taking on the ideal that all three experiences should be celebrated. Set behind a solid brass door in a tucked-away laneway off James St, Penelope is built for those who crave an elevated nightlife experience space where classic hospitality meets the modern dining and drinks sophistication.
Co-owners Jason and Katie Coats said they envision Penelope being an “escape from the predictable”.
“Great food, great drinks, great music and open late – those are the things that excite us. At Penelope, we don’t have customers – we have guests, and we firmly believe in creating a come-as-you-are environment while bringing some fun into the James St precinct,” Jason Coats said.
The bar menu is led by a ten-strong cocktail menu alongside some signature classic martinis and negronis – served ‘artic cold’ in vintage glassware. Guests can also expect a European wine list covering from a Domaine Crève-Cœur, Côte Du Rhône, to an Aussie Pet Nats and a comprehensive list of vintage champagnes.
 
At its heart, Penelope is a bistro with a twist, marrying “fun and edgy” with the classics. Head Chef Evan White takes an unapologetic approach to reinvention, pairing nostalgia with modern technique.
Small plates have been designed to foster discussion and an air of indulgence. The menu includes a fish finger sandwich, elevated with crumbed pearl perch and yoghurt tartare, chicken liver parfait on a cultured butter croissant crisp with vermouth fig glaze, and Cantabrian anchovies, flamed at the table in the tin, ready to be scooped up with crusty Batard bread.
More substantial offerings feature, Steak Au Poivre, Red Emperor with parsley butter and caper vinegar, and a Penne Alla Vodka.
With a mid-century aesthetic, rich colour palette and textual finishes, Penelope is warm and inviting with its brass details and amber velvet banquettes. The walls are panels of dark American Walnut that has been acoustically treated. For the Coats, Penelope occupies a space that feels “natural’ and right”.
A premium bespoke, timber sound system melds with the design elements of the bar, with rising and veteran DJs appearing each night. Coats said guests can expect genres such as, soul, funk, disco, and groove to be the “soundtrack to your experience”.
