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Just open: Sonny's House of Blues, Brisbane CBD

Natascha Mirosch

New venture: Jamie Webb and Mick Dwyer of Sonny's House of Blues.
New venture: Jamie Webb and Mick Dwyer of Sonny's House of Blues. Robert Shakespeare

Get out your shoulder pads and dust off your skinny tie - the '80s are back.

It's entirely possible the owner of Sonny's House of Blues, Jamie Webb, had been hitting the blue lagoons a bit hard when he came up with the concept for his newest venue.

"Sonny's is modelled on classic LA dive bar," Webb says. "I visited heaps when I was over there. The concept was that Sonny used to own this blues venue, then he died and his son turned it into a rock bar. It's not a real story though, just something fun we made up."

The "divey" basement in Rowes Lane.
The "divey" basement in Rowes Lane.Robert Shakespeare
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Webb, who also owns Peasant, Lefty's Old Time Music Hall and Cabiria (to transform into Los Villanos Cantina and Tequila bar in the New Year) all at Petrie Terrace, as well as Gordita in Fortitude Valley, admits to being a big '80s music fan, a love he shares with business partner Simon Shearer.

Set in a suitable "divey" basement in Rowes Lane (those of us old enough will remember the '80s icon Rosie's that used to inhabit the same block), the 180-seater bar that opened last night features booths, bar seating and cocktail tables and offers live music daily.

Continuing the theme from Los Villanos, Sonny's drinks list has a tequila focus but there are also frozen margaritas and bourbon and Cokes as well as what Webb calls the "cheesier" '80s era cocktails, such as the forementioned blue lagoon and Long Island iced tea. A decent selection of craft beer will also be on offer.

Food is casual and Mexican, served from "Sonny's kitchen" - a shipping container kitchen, which according to Webb had to be cut into sections to get into the venue.

So why Mexican?

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"I've always wanted to do good Mexican in Brisbane, but then the 'Mexican wave' hit and I kind of put it to one side," Webb says. "The tacos will be the same as those we'll have on the menu at Los Villanos."

Including fish, pork, chicken and beef, the tacos are all made in house using a tortilla press Webb bought back with him from LA. There are also quesadillas such as "papa chorizo with salsa ranchera", and snacks such as "elote callejero" - grilled corn with chipotle and manchego.

"Sonny's is meant to be fun," Webb says. "Like Lefty's we welcome everyone."

Sonny's House of Blues, Rowes Lane, Edward Street, Monday-Friday noon-3am (kitchen closes 3-5pm) and Saturday and Sunday until 3am, sonnyshouseofblues.com.

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