Just Open: Hop & Pickle, South Bank, Brisbane

Is Brisbane finally stepping up its game in the pub stakes? It seems so, with a flurry of openings of smartened-up or new pubs of late.

The Alliance Hotel in Spring Hill was probably the first to sweep the metaphoric sawdust off its floor and embrace the idea of offering more than chips and a pie to drinkers, followed by Stadtler & Waldorf in Petrie Terrace, then the recently opened The Charming Squire at South Bank.

Even old faithfuls such as The International in Spring Hill, and the Valley's Wickham and Brunswick hotels have undergone a spit and polish and introduced a modern pub grub menu with a more sophisticated clientele in mind.

Joining their ranks is Hop & Pickle, opening at South Bank on Friday in the space formerly occupied by Beastie Burgers. Rather than a revamped traditional pub, however, it's spanking new like its neighbour The Charming Squire. Incidentally, Hop & Pickle co-owner Neal Orpin says the proximity of the massive (and massively popular) megapub in nearby Grey Street doesn't bother them.

"It's like comparing apples and oranges. What we do is a lot more of personal than the monster pub," he says. "And it's not about competing with your neighbours, but enhancing the area as a whole."

The Hop & Pickle will seat just 80, on an outdoor deck and at a variety of inside seating options including communal and bar tables. Partnering with Orpin is co-owner and chef (and owner of Boucher Bistro in Graceville), Peter Carter. The focus of the modern gastro-pub, Carter says, is firmly on the gastronomic.

"Our menu revolves around a small but diverse range of generous meals that change daily. We're all about interesting, modern ingredients, healthy combinations and good value for money," he says.

Bar snacks such as ham hock croquettes with aioli, mini dagwood dogs, grilled calamari with aioli and beef brisket with blue cheese dip will sate drink-fuelled hunger, while the daily changing mains are supplemented on Saturdays with "pub classics" from around the world and traditional roasts on Sundays.

The drinks menu offers a trio of draught beers as well as a mix of craft and more mainstream bottled beers, wine and a concise range of classic cocktails.

Opening from 11am on Friday, December 12, Hop & Pickle will operate Sunday to Tuesday 11am-11am and Wednesday to Saturday 11am-12pm.

Hop & Pickle, 6e Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane, 07 3217 2652, facebook.com/hopandpickle/