When I first moved to Brisbane I kept hearing how dodgy “the Valley” was. However things have certainly changed since then and there are now some seriously cool bars to be found, with Dutch Courage Officer’s Mess – Gin Bar and Restaurant being one of them. Dutch Courage is the nickname given to gin by English soldiers and this wonderful establishment is charmingly themed around the 19th century colonial and army era. With plantation style rattan furniture, hessian curtains and wide blade fans, one would not look out of place sporting a pith helmet and safari suit. Upstairs you’ll find a mezzanine style officer’s dining mess, however with so much to gin to try downstairs we never even made it to the food ~ oopsie!

So getting down to business at the bar – firstly you want to put aside a good few hours if you’re serious because the extensive selection of over 130 gins and vast array of cocktails is overwhelming! Starting off with a couple of cocktails from a fascinating and informative menu, we enjoyed the Clover Club ~ named after a late 19th century men’s club in Philadelphia ~ Gin, Lemon, Raspberries and Egg White and a Charlie Chaplin ~ Bayman’s Sloe, Apricot Brandy Lime ~ Created at the Waldorf Astoria c.1910. Could have worked our way down the rest of this nostalgic list of wonders, but had to sample some G&Ts as well.

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We decided to go international this time and enjoyed a Ryan Reynold’s American Aviation Gin with Tonic and garnished with dried lavender. At the recommendation of the very knowledgeable barman we also tried out the Sylvius Gin and the Dictador Colombian Gin. Head to the Virtual Tasting Room for reviews on each of these! Unfortunately we had to stop there as we were starting to speak not fluent Dutch by this stage!

If you live in Brisbane and love your gin ~ which we know you do or you wouldn’t be reading this ~ it would be remiss of you not to pay this place a visit!!! I know we will be back ~ maybe decked out in a safari suit next time. 😉

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Keep an eye out for regular gin tastings and special events!

Dutch Courage Officer’s Mess
51 Alfred St Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Ph: 07 6852 4838
www.dutchcourage.com.au