October 16, 2026.

A planned 51-storey hotel tower above Brisbane's Victory Hotel CBD pub has received city council approval, paving the way for a major accommodation development ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Brisbane City Council have approved Precision Group's proposed Victory Tower, a 206.6 metre development behind and above the heritage-listed hotel on Monday. As part of the approval, Precision Group would be required to pay almost $2 million in infrastructure charges to the council.

The new tower would be built on the site of the pub's popular beer garden. The approval marks a significant milestone for the project, which would transform the site into a 284 room hotel with restaurants, function spaces, wellness facilities, a rooftop bar and a swimming pool on the 40th floor.

The 16000-square-metre tower will be built on a 924-square-metre site and occupies the area currently used as the Victory’s Charlotte Street-facing beer garden. Precision Group founder and chief executive Shaun Bonett said the development would help address Brisbane’s hotel room shortage as the city prepares for the 2032 Games.

'The critical shortfall of hotel rooms in Brisbane is well documented and the demand for accommodation is accelerating, he said. 'The Victory Hotel is one of Brisbane's most recognised hospitality landmarks. Our vision is to honour that history, while giving the site a new future, bringing together heritage, hotel accommodation, hospitality, wellness and rooftop experiences in a way that contributes to the city well beyond 2032'.

Designed by Bureau Proberts, the slender tower has been positioned in the north-eastern corner of the site at the corner of Edward and Charlotte streets. Planning documents argued the design's narrow footprint and setbacks would preserve views of the historic pub, which has operated on the site since 1855 and was recognised by the council as the oldest remaining pub in Brisbane's CBD.

The project was supported by heritage architect Ruth Woods, who previously advised that the development would not compromise the prominence of the Victory Hotel or neighbouring heritage-listed buildings, including the former Metro Arts building.

If built, the tower would include a publicly accessible rooftop bar with panoramic city and river views, along with hospitality spaces intended to connect with the refurbished hotel below.

Precision said restoration work at the Victory Hotel was already under way. The heritage pub was being reconfigured into four venues – a sports bar and beer garden, a rooftop garden bar, a steakhouse restaurant and a basement speakeasy with a gaming room. The company took direct control of the hotel's operations earlier this year and said discussions were continuing with prospective hotel operators.

'We're already seeing strong interest from respected hotel operators who recognise the strength of the location, the heritage of the Victory Hotel and the opportunity to help shape a new hospitality destination for Brisbane. Getting that partnership right matters. It'll help ensure Victory Tower isn't only successful as a hotel, but also contributes meaningfully to the wider CBD precinct'.

The construction timetable wouldn't be confirmed until an agreement was reached, but Precision expected the tower to be completed before 2032.

October 16, 2026.

The $5 million transformation of Brisbane's now derelict King of Kings seafood restaurant that operated at Wickham St, between the 1980s and its closure in 2020, into an adult's playground is almost complete, as operators plan a homage to Fortitude Valley's most famous arrest.

Come February 1, it'll be home to Ballers Clubhouse, a competitive socialising venue full of interactive games such as darts, ping-pong, shuffleboard and ball pit karaoke (exactly what it sounds like) and a sports bar featuring large LED screen walls.

Just across the mall, the late Jack Karlson was arrested in 1991, eventually sparking global memes about succulent Chinese meals. 'We're planning on using that moment in a sort of homage and we might be naming something on the menu after that moment and that guy' Ballers chief executive Joshua Lefers said.

The 600 capacity, 1083-square-metre venue was approved in late 2023 and the opening date has now been set at February 1, 2027 almost 2 years later than originally planned. The long timeframe between approval and completion was down to several factors, including what Ballers co-founder and chief commercial officer Stephen Wools described as the skeletons they found during the refurbishment.

'There was so much more complexity to look at with this site than we're probably used to. Three years is a long time. The positives that came out of that was we were able to optimise the design. We feel this is probably our best design to date. I hope it'll be the start of a renaissance for the Chinatown area of the Valley, that's fallen into business decline over the past couple of decades'.

'We're very excited, understanding the Olympics is coming up and it's a surprise that the Valley still has many vacant shop fronts and everything not absolutely full yet, but I think it will be. Even having contact with a lot of other businesses and landlords and our own landlords, you can see it's really starting to pick up'.

Ballers Clubhouse started with a single venue in Melbourne's CBD in 2020. It's since opened a second Melbourne venue, in Carlton and expanded interstate to Adelaide before Brisbane. The new Bris venue is expected to employ up to 100 hospitality workers as it scaled.

'Hospitality does this at a really high level for people and I know people suffered with a lack of connection with people during COVID. If you look back through your photos of the last 20-30 years, a lot of your favourite moments when you're celebrating with friends, family, loved ones, are in a hospitality setting. We take that role really, really seriously and we want to make sure we allow people to unlock and have fun'.

According to the assessment report submitted to Bris City Council, Ballers has sought licensing for operating hours of 10am - 5am, 7 days a week. Long before it was King of Kings, the site was constructed for furniture merchant William Walton, whose business was central to establishing Wickham St as a major commercial strip in the early 1900s. Its preserved external heritage features include a slate cantilevered balcony, wrought iron balustrade, flat pilasters, French doors and a decorative brick parapet with corbelled cornices and urns.

been really wanting these and haven’t been able to find out where to just get a couple thanks in advance ! :)

Hi everyone

I’m looking to get into Flag Football and am based around the Sunnybank / Southside area. I’m currently here on a Working Holiday Visa and super keen to try out this sport while I'm in Brisbane!

I saw that registration for the upcoming season is open, but before signing up as a free agent, I’d love to see if there’s any local crew or friendly team around here I could meet or throw the ball around with first

Newer player here, so definitely looking for a casual or lower-division vibe

If you have a social group, train around the area, or know a team looking for an extra player, please let me know or shoot me a DM

Thanks

Photo in Highgate Hill Park, there's at least 20 chained together up there

Non-paywall: https://archive.is/3GBYC

Hello everyone.

I did a search on here and the info I found were not what I was looking for. The reviews I am seeing are shocking, so needing a bit of insights.

I was hoping to find a good psychiatrist that specialise in trauma, anxiety disorders and has more knowledge on women’s issue such as PMDD. I don’t have Medicare so I don’t have time to waster nor energy (bit obvious, I know). Anything around the city suburbs but willing to travel.

This is the best cinema in Brisbane. Obviously anyone who’s been here knows that it’s a pretty decent cinema, clean, friendly staff, good atmosphere but they seem to have a little more heart than the other cinemas in Brisbane.

A little backstory needed. My parents watched the original Toystory when it first came out in cinemas on their honeymoon 30 odd years ago. My mum recently lost her battle with cancer and when she was given 2 weeks to live it came as a pretty big shock because up until then everything was looking good. Now this was right before toystory 5 came out. So I emailed every cinema in Brisbane to try and get a private viewing for the family before mum passed.

Event Cinemas: Didn’t respond to any of my emails.

Hoyts Cinemas: Responded said it needed to be booked 2 weeks in advance and would be a minimum of 1100 dollars and was NOT refundable if she passed before hand. (I made it very clear that she potentially didn’t have 2 weeks)

Cineplex: Responded. Talked to them on the phone and they were reasonably accommodating but still rather expensive and rather inconvenient to get to and from with the amount of pain and mobility issues my mum was dealing with at that point in time.

Meanwhile Reading cinemas got back to me straight away, extremely accommodating and understanding as the structure of those emails I sent them were awful with the state I was in. All up cost less than 230 dollars, private theatre, covered all our popcorn and drinks, and as soon as we were settled skipped the ads and got straight into the movie. Gave me and my family a little bit of closure and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

My mum was 57, my parents just paid of the family home i have two younger siblings one of which is still in high school. Reading cinemas showed compassion for a family being torn apart so I implore you if you’re going to the movies, go here. They seem to care a whole bunch more than everyone else.

What comes to mind for you guys of iconic graffiti artists past & present?

From BWP crew in the 90s, manman, Ethan Frank & the mushroom. We may not have a Pam the bird but I think we’ve still got for some iconic pieces.

*EDIT pics get +100 upvotes 😎

Helloo, just moved to brisbane recently and want some recommendations on some more alt vibed hair stylists where I can go to get my hair dyed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 😁. Don’t really mind about price just somewhere where less common hair designs are welcome lol

Hi everyone, I’m still in high school, and like a lot of people my age, I’m trying to figure out what I want to do after graduation.
I’ve been interested in electronics from a young age and enjoy figuring out how things work and fixing little things here and there, so I’ve started considering becoming an electrician.
The pay seems good, and I’m not afraid of getting my hands dirty or doing physical work. However, I’ve also heard that the industry can be quite male dominated and sometimes sexist, so I’d love to hear some honest experiences from people in the trade, especially women who have gone down this path.
I honestly have no idea where to start. How do you find an apprenticeship? Would employers take on someone straight out of school with no experience? Is there anything I could do while I’m still at school to get a feel for the industry?
I’d really appreciate any advice, whether it’s about getting started, what the work is actually like day to day, the pros and cons, or things you wish you’d known before getting into the trade.
Thanks :)

Hey all,

We just moved from Canada to Wellington Pt and I'm missing my spices that I picked up (here)[https://silkroadspices.ca/?srsltid=AU7gw4V-ywvVZMDvBmN5WrLuXqaj-uv-JeM1f20c6LpfqV6_IOk7rUBf]. They had a great selection and packaging. Is there anything similar here? I've used the search function and it seems like Grandma's pantry and Pennisi were highly regarded. Anything closer on the south side?

Also, since we sold most of our pans and useful cooking utensils, is there a good place to get some ? Yes, I've seen the sale signs at Robin's kitchen or whatever it's called but each time we've visited for the past 15 years it seems like it is anyway, so I think I'll pass.

I've been looking at QCC hospitality supplies. There was a similar store back home that didn't only sell to restaurants that I would check out every once in a while. Know if it's solely for restaurant groups/chains or can public go in too? If not, is there anything for people who love cooking at home? Is Nisbets any good?

Trying to find good spots with lots of spices so I don't have to go to 40 different places and/or be subject to the same 20 that Woolies/Coles offers and a place with useful and maybe not so often used kitchen utensils and bakeware/cookware

Thanks

I've been living in Qld for a hot moment but despite that, I yearn for the cravings of my old local deli. spicy sausage, salami cuts that doesn't come in packs like Colesworth, goat cheese, halva etc

Y'all got any local shoutouts or in-the-know info?

Hi all,

Looking at booking the "Platinum" tour at Australia Zoo as a gift for someone, has anyone done the experience recently? How was it? Was it worth it? I've read the price is about $2k per person, is that still correct.

Thanks.

Where in Brizzy to find the best cookies? Or warm cookies?

Hi all! I'm a relatively recent arrival from overseas and need chocolate recos for a gift. I usually just buy Freddos for myself, haha, but need something a little nicer for this occasion (though not too fancy -- it's for a colleague so should be nice enough to communicate respect without being so fancy as to make it weird).

What do you think is the nicest/tastiest chocolate that would make a good gift (either from Colesworth or a local shop)?

Thank you so much!

Recently moved from Sydney, and looking for recommendations for Nanoplasty salon in the north west area. I’ve had the treatment done 3 times already using the Floractive brand. Same product would be great, but not necessary. TIA.

Been renting in Annerley for about nine months. On Saturday I was bringing the wheelie bins in when the woman across the road asked whether I normally parked my car where it was.

I said yes.

She looked at the car, looked at the gutter, and said, "Wouldn't leave it there once the storms get going."

I thought she was about to complain about parking.

Instead, she disappeared into her house and came back with a folded piece of A4 paper.

It was a hand-drawn map of our street.

Not a particularly artistic one. Just the houses, the road, three stormwater drains and a bunch of arrows showing where water runs during a proper Brisbane downpour.

There was a little X next to the spot where I park.

Apparently that section of road collects a surprising amount of runoff when heavy rain hits. The nearby drain sometimes struggles with leaves, and water can back up along the kerb.

She'd marked a couple of other things too. One driveway where water tends to cross the footpath. A corner where wheelie bins have ended up after storms. A tree that had dropped a decent branch a few summers ago.

She'd been adding notes since the 2022 floods.

The woman has lived here for 31 years and apparently knows more about the behaviour of rainwater on this one street than I know about anything.

She wasn't trying to scare me. Just said new people move in, nobody tells them these things, and then everyone gets a surprise when the first big storm rolls through.

I've checked the council flood information before, but I'd never thought to ask which particular bit of gutter causes trouble during a short, heavy downpour.

It got me thinking about how much incredibly specific local knowledge must disappear whenever longtime residents move away.

Not just flood stuff. Which streets get cut off first, where trees regularly drop branches, which walking shortcuts turn into ankle-deep puddles.

The sort of things that never make it into a suburb guide.

Anyway, I've moved my usual parking spot a little further uphill, and apparently I've made a new friend who wants to show me what happens to the water when the first decent storm arrives.

Does anyone else have a neighbour who knows the entire natural history of their particular street?

I'm starting to think every Brisbane neighbourhood needs at least one retired person with a notebook.