Little Big House

Matt Moran and Solotel are behind Little Big House. It’s the third Brisbane venue the celebrity chef has launched with the hospitality group, after ARIA and Riverbar & Kitchen.

The pub is in the Southpoint precinct and is the latest incarnation of the heritage-listed Collins Place, which since 1889 has been, among other things, a residence, a police station and a spaghetti restaurant.

With a tin roof and big wraparound veranda, Little Big House feels just like your mate’s place, but with plenty of open seating and little nooks you can disappear into.

Drinks are designed with Queensland in mind. Cocktails come in cans, there are a frosè slushies and a range of spiked punches to share. The team collaborated with Young Henrys to create The Queenslander, an easy-drinking 4.2 per cent kolsch, which will be on tap exclusively at Little Big House.

On the menu is rotisserie chook with a selection of straightforward sides. And there’s a chicken parmi, but the kitchen flips the script by presenting it in spring roll form alongside a bunch of other “Little Feeds” (broad bean falafels, kingfish and avocado tostadas). A kiosk offers takeaway options including breakfast in the morning with coffee from Single O.

The interior is a mix of old and new. Original touches like the latticed verandas and the big internal staircase have been left as is, but elsewhere op-shop paintings are overlaid with colourful graphics. A tropical theme runs throughout giving everything a modern, consciously kitsch feel. The venue is set up with DJs on both levels, a hot-pink pool table and a karaoke room downstairs.