Minimalist gin bar Purple Palm channels Palm Springs for sunny inspiration. The indoor-outdoor design makes the most of the balmy Brisbane weather and its back bar is exclusively Aussie.
With growing awareness of the benefits of backing local, it’s good to know drinks at Purple Palm, right down to the Strangelove tonics, are Aussie made. The majority of spirits arrayed on the curved back-lit bar hail from 78 Degrees, though you’ll also find the likes of Husk Distillers from northern New South Wales represented, too, as well as Far North Queensland’s Mt Uncle.
The space feels like a contemporary leafy conservatory. Orders can be placed via QR code from your table, but it’s also worth heading to the bar to chat to the friendly staff and find out about drinks such as the Salted Grapefruit Gin Cooler on tap.
Set in the middle of a new shopping and dining precinct, Purple Palm’s atmosphere is ever-changing. You’ll likely find a much livelier crowd hanging out at the weekend, while during the week the ambience and soundtrack are set to melodic chillout beats. Groups should make a beeline for one of two U-shaped banquettes that bookend the space.
There’s gin and tonic, and then there’s Purple Palm’s Aussie hat-tip to the drink: Ants in Ya Pants, a showcase for Seven Season’s native Green Ant Gin, with fresh lime and rosella syrup and finished with Strangelove’s Coastal tonic with subtle notes of thyme and bergamot. It’s among the six takes on the G&T. There’s no lack of inspiration on this list. There are half a dozen classic cocktails, all with Aussie twists – Tommy’s Margarita is made with Mt Uncle’s agave spirit in place of tequila – and the same number of variations on the Martini. A further six signature cocktails include Purple Palm’s version of the Negroni, AKA the Better than Your Average Negroni, a mellow take on the OG drink that features in-house barrel-aged 78 Degrees Better Gin with 78 Degrees house versions of Bitter Orange and Rosso Vermouth, and the Queensland-inspired Sunshine State Spritz, built around Sunshine State Gin, custom-distilled for Purple Palm, with mango puree and prosecco.
Beers follow the local theme with the likes of Brisbane’s Slipstream, Ballistic and Aether breweries.
