If there’s one thing Dan Rodriguez is good at, it’s secret bars. The mastermind behind Electric Avenue’s Narnia-inspired Mrs J Rabbits, and The Tailors just across the road, Rodriguez, together with his business partner Adam Pykett, knows the undeniable drawcard of a disguised entrance—so of course his newest venue, the Copacabana Club, is hidden away behind yet another quirky facade.
A breezy, outdoor beer garden, the Copacabana Club is tucked away at the back of Mr Badgers in Woolloongabba—but don’t expect a single sign leading the way. Just head down the back of the deli and cafe and you’ll find yourself in what looks like a rundown locker room, complete with uniforms dangling from coat hangers overhead.
In the corner, a door to the office of Joseph S. Badger, General Manager beckons—ignore the staff only sign, as any good secret bar hunter knows to do—and venture through. But wait, is this really an office? The vintage desk might make you think so, but just open one more door and you’ll finally lay your eyes on the prize—a fairy-lit courtyard filled with a mix of seating and a tiny bar in one corner.
A continuation of the New York deli theme of Mr Badgers (who may or may not be part of the Mafia…), the team have taken inspiration from both New York’s rooftop bar scene and the iconic beer gardens of Europe, giving us the perfect mix of both in the shadow of The Gabba (don’t worry, we’ve got years to sip cocktails here before that comes down). Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, here you can sip on cocktails like the Breakfast Club, with gin, triple sec, lemon, jasmine rose, vanilla, strawberry and prosecco, as well as a handful of beers, wines, spritzes and virgin cocktails.
On the food side of things, Mr Badgers’ menu of pizzas (including their uber cheesy Detroit-style pies), sandwiches, antipasti and snacks are available out in Copacabana Club too. On Sundays, the team will open up the back gate to provide access to a pop-up food truck, with a different meals on wheels offering each week.
Add to all this live music on Friday nights, regular swing and salsa nights, musical bingo and trivia, and Copacabana Club might just become our new regular. The bar is open now, so all that’s left for you to do is to find that secret entrance—get all the details here.
Hunt down more of Brisbane's secret bars here.
Image credit: Supplied