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    The Scratch - Craft Beer Dive

    4.7 (24 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Restaurants
    Open 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    The Scratch - Craft Beer Dive Photos

    THE SCRATCH - CRAFT BEER DIVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Scratch - Craft Beer Dive

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    On the left- cider spider. On the right, stout milkshake.
    Shele P.

    It was just a whisper at first, and then all of a sudden, here, there and everywhere, people began talking about this 'stout milkshake' that was being served at a new bar in Milton. Milk AND stout. Two of my favourite things that I never thought would be likely lovers. As it turns out, I was wrong. I beckoned some of my most trusted beer aficionados to come to Milton and went to investigate this 'stout milkshake' for myself. From the outside, The Scratch doesn't look like anything really different to be found on Park Road. Sure, there's some nice wooden furniture, a long table and chairs, but nothing I hadn't seen before. Then I went inside. The place feels something like a gentleman's club, and I, on this particular day, wearing a fancy little dress, felt quite the lady in the surrounds. I ordered my friend the stout milkshake, and myself a strawberry/apple cider spider. After paying a slightly hefty $13 for each drink, we sank into the earthy toned velour armchairs (circa the 1970's) in the dark, back end of the bar. The place is decked out remarkably well. It's subtle, yet with distinct character. It's almost a bit of a 'come along men, let's go to the dining room for brandy and cigars' type feel about it. It's got a very particular appeal, what with the mounted skull on the wall, the framed Tom Wait's Australian tour poster, the mint condition ornate and antique looking coffee tables, and a reclining lounge that just beckons, and aches for a voluptuous naked lady to lie down on it. Gentlemen's club indeed. When I went back for my second drink, I was asked how the spider was. "It made me feel like a lady. Strawberries and cream in a glass. But I have to move on". Ben Nichols, one of the partners (the other being the brains behind the cider spider, Kieran Ryan) asked me what type of beer I like. I don't know much, but I know I detest IPA's (of which they have several). They have one pilsner on the beer menu, and so I found myself at something of a loss. Ben suggested the Holgate Mt Macedon Ale, and allowed me to try before I buy. It was delicious. He'd taken the outline of my tastes and filled the rest in with a spot of assumption of what I'd be happy with. Win. Park Road has lacked a good place to drink for a while now, and The Scratch seems to have provided the answer to those wanting to quelch their thirst. It does well to 'fit' the area as well. Even though the Castlemaine Brewery is just up the road, you're not going to find XXXX or any of it's usual friends (Tooheys, Carlton Draught) on tap here. It's dedicated to serving up craft beers of local and international varieties, for those with a high brow approach to beer drinking, or those inquisitive to try something new. Expect to pay through the nose here. It is expensive whichever way you look at it, but by the time you get to the last quarter of the beer you're sitting on, you'd be damned if you don't go in to get another. I'm glad to have found this place. I'll be back, returning with more friends. People deserve to know about The Scratch.

    Tess B.

    The most distinctive thing I remember about my first time at The Scratch is continually yelling at my friend to not let me forget to describe it as "urban rustic". And while I may have been overly zealous in my attempts to remind her to remind me, I believe that description is so fitting. The Scratch is your perfect venue for embarking on a cheeky afternoon drink that effortlessly spills over to nighttime shenanigans. On our first visit, my friends and I were delighted by the fact that the lovely guys there gave us free tasters of their beer with a nice little description to accompany each. Black Cockatoo is a really excellent choice offered here but my friends opted for the more concentrated option of Red Belly Black - 9.5% thank you very much, so keep your wits about you with that one. Alas, the beers on offer range in everything from your dark ales and lagers to smokier tasting options and some cider if you're not an avid beer lover. At The Scratch you can BYO food (seriously, you can) or indulge in one of their cheese and bread platters, which are AMAZING, particularly in conjunction with one of their beers. And I stand by my statement that the place is urban rustic, ok. You only have to look over to the far wall and see a giant animal skull hanging there to get what I'm talking about. It's actually got a really awesome and almost western vibe about it, yet with a really casual and fun atmosphere similar to Archive. Collapse into one of their lounges, play cards while you eat peanuts at a table, or go outside for some raucous behaviour if you like. I really, thoroughly enjoy The Scratch and since it's only down the road from me, I think I've found my new favourite local.

    Best for its beers and definitely, this beer infused Lick passion fruit ice cream!
    Panhanon N.

    Around end of the Year 2013, my friends and I decided to have Pub Crawl! The Scratch was the final pub that I was crawling out. Okay, I'm joking. I had another dinner to attend. It is a very vintage pub with many beer and drink choices to choose from. And what's great, they let you 'beer tasting'. Yep, you got it...it's like wine tasting. But since I was exhausting from drinking the beers from earlier pubs. I cheated my friends and have gone for dessert. I have the weirdest yet powerful combination flavours in my ice cream. It was passion fruit and beer. Well, you see, technically I was not cheating...there was beer in it! Try it, you won't be disappointing. Maybe better with a glass of cold beer... Beer float, anyone?

    Mmmmm cheeses!
    Sarah M.

    The service, the value, the vibe. Can't go wrong. My question is how did a place like this end up in Brisbane? Thank heavens. It saved me from some terrible bartenders in West End :-)

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    13 years ago

    So good. Well curated drafts and highly enviable bottle list. Everyone loves free peanuts!

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    10 years ago

    One of the best bars in Brisbane! Great place to chill and taste quality craft beers! Thanks !!

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    Review Highlights - The Scratch - Craft Beer Dive

    Another cool thing about Scratch is that they let you bring your own food to eat while you drink or Arrivederci nearby will deliver!

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    Beetle Bar - Local band 'Cannon' performing at The Beetle Bar.

    Beetle Bar

    4.1(8 reviews)
    1.0 kmCBD
    $

    The Beetle Bar, is not the first place Brisbane residents think of when considering local music…read morevenues which is a real shame. I believe this is mainly due to the location and possibly the marketing. This seems to be changing as I am seeing more gigs being advertised at this place. From the exterior, the Beetle Bar looks very intrguing as their is a large beetle/lady-bug car stationed on the roof. The place is decorated in a 'bug theme' with lady bugs painted on the floor which is pretty quirky and cute. There is a large sized bar that offers your standard bar drinks -basic spirits and Aussie beers- at reasonable prices. What's not to love! Most importantly, the place has a decently sized stage large enough for bands to move and get jiggy while they are performing. The floor area is also spacious enough to fit a large crowd. For busier nights, an upstairs area will be opened allowing lots of people to dance and be merry. I have been to numerous gigs for local bands here and am usually very satisfied by the end of the night. It is a great place to be social and enjoy live music.

    It was probably last year sometime that a few mates in bands starting telling me their next gig was…read moreat the Beetle Bar. "Where's that?" I'd say. "Oh, it's in that line of backpackers just up from Roma Street." Out of curiosity I went there. That area was a cultural dead zone to me (despite being filled with backpackers). After those first skeptical moments, I realised that a seriously decent venue had cropped out outside of the Valley and West End, but close enough to both to be considered in a fairly extensive pub crawl. The best part is that it houses killer local punk and rock gigs for dirt cheap. If you like your rock, your punk, rockabilly and psychobilly, you'll be needing to hit up the Beetle Bar. HITS, 6FT Hick, Shrewms, Main Street Brats, Big Bongin' Baby, Flangipanis have all been found up on their stage and will be again. This is not your pristine princess parlour. There's fur on the walls, and it's got a gnarly paint job. It's just a cool, grungy pad to get your drink on in while catching a local band. Support the venue that supports the local music scene. Make the effort to head out to the Beetle Bar, if for no other reason than it'll mean you'll have a night not spent in the Valley or West End.

    Photos
    Beetle Bar - Now under new ownership

    Now under new ownership

    Beetle Bar - Looking downstairs from upstairs

    Looking downstairs from upstairs

    Beetle Bar - Stage area

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    Stage area

    Lefty's Old Time Music Hall - Lefty Music Hall Bar Inside

    Lefty's Old Time Music Hall

    4.5(17 reviews)
    1.0 kmCBD
    $$

    I was actually heading to salsa at Casablanca when the flags of my two favorite states (Arkansas…read moreand Tennessee) caught my eye across the street. I ventured in to have a sneak peek. Unfortunately I had just missed the live music so I will have to go again but the vibe made me feel like I had been transported back down South. I really liked the red interior, booths, and chandeliers. I am a bit confused by the stuffed monkey on the stage though... Will be able to give a better review next time when I grab a drink off the menu! Will share if the drinks are as good as they make them in the South.

    Hey, Lefty's! I'm feeling what you're putting down. You're so cool and yet you probably don't even…read morerealise it. Well played, Sir, well played. We were set to see a movie at The Barracks across the road from Caxton Street and rather than dine at any number of the respectable choices in the Barracks centre, I made a beeline for Lefty's. Arriving just before 6 I was the sole punter in this seriously brooding and sexy bar. Would it seem out of place to see Saloon girls do the can can atop the higher level balcony? Probably not. I approached the bar and asked the bar keep what their house drink was. "Whiskey and apple," he said tossing a Granny Smith apple in his hand. Yeah, not just apple juice from a bottle but freshly squeezed, baby. I was all prepped to order said drink when he let slip it also goes well with Gin. You, mister, are good. "I'll take a gin and apple, thanks!" My dining partner arrived and we settled each on having their interpretation of the cheeseburger. Be warned: unless you are ravenous, you'll easily be able to share this between two. We didn't realise this and I tapped out long before I could claim my plate of fries and burger complete. Still, it was delicious and for $12 it's an affordable take on "pub grub." This place already had some serious swagger at 6pm on a Wednesday night, I can only imagine (and look forward to seeing it) in full swing on a Friday or Saturday eve.

    Photos
    Lefty's Old Time Music Hall
    Lefty's Old Time Music Hall - Lefty

    Lefty

    Lefty's Old Time Music Hall

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    The Scratch - Craft Beer Dive - bars - Updated May 2026

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