Greaser

This pocket of the Valley has long been Brisbane’s seediest, and happily, nothing much has changed. Greaser is a little bit underground both in location and attitude, occupying a century-old basement of the Prince Consort superpub. To find it, turn your back on the yobbery of the mall, cross Wickham Street and hang a left at the laneway past the bottle shop. If you find yourself at the peep-show end of Brunswick Street, you’ve gone too far. Once in the laneway, head away from the light, into the shadowy, cavernous and wonderful world of Greaser.

Take in the framed black-and-white prints on the walls depicting hard-living heroes, find yourself a booth, tap your foot to an eclectic mix of fun tunes from decades past and settle in for the night. From the cocktail menu, start with a Pickleback: a shot of Jameson’s in one glass, and dill-pickle brine chaser in the other. Just when you thought it could get no better, there’s a tiny pickle to nibble on afterwards – a cornichon, strictly speaking, but a member of the pickle family all the same.

The Red Snapper comes a close second. Greaser’s version of a Bloody Mary is a tasty Tanqueray Gin-based jar of zingy, tomato-based goodness, plus the ‘chef’s secret ingredient’. You guessed it: it’s a dash of pickle brine. If pickles don’t do it for you, there’s the Downtown Daiquiri with Pampero Especial, homemade vanilla spice syrup, fresh lime juice and coconut foam, or the All Americano blend of sweet vermouths, Campari and lemonade.

There’s also an interesting selection of local and imported beer, including Green Beacon Cross Knot Kolsch, and Hop Hog on tap, along with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Torpedo, Kellerweis and Autumn Tumbler, Anchor Steam and Founders All Day IPA.

By now you’ll be ready for some grease. If you’re thinking old-school American diner fare is getting a bit tired, think again. Greaser gets it right: so very right. Crunchy, down-home, southern-style buttermilk-fried chicken pieces are a must. Don’t mess around with individual pieces – go the half or full bird. It comes with gravy and a smoked chipotle mayonnaise. Those pickles make another appearance on the cheeseburger and the hot dog comes with pickled jalapeño and cheese floss.

Greaser definitely brings the tone of this 'hood up a notch or two, but we love that it’s also at one with its seamy surrounds.