Blackbird to open in Riverside Centre

The Ghanem Group, owners of 5th Element at Southbank and Byblos at Portside are adding to their portfolio with a new venue called Blackbird to open at the Riverside Centre in the central business district.

The site was formerly owned by Queensland Rugby Club, which spent $13 million developing it, before going into liquidation just two years later.

The 1000 sq m site upstairs will be divided, with a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other.

According to one of the owners, Nehme Ghanem, Blackbird will have a 1920s prohibition theme and, steaks will be a feature of the menu.

A "well-regarded" chef from "down south" will be in charge of the kitchen. Watch this space.

The bar side of things will be sophisticated with a quality cocktail menu and a bar grazing menu available until the wee hours.

The venue is to open in November.

Downstairs, the sister to Southbank's Ole also looks set to open at the end of the year.