Cindy Chows Theatre And Cocktail Bar Fortitude Valley

Cindy Chow's Theatre & Cocktail Bar is a stunning subterranean bar in Fortitude Valley, inspired by the glamorous 1920's speakeasy bars of old Shanghai.

Leave the streets of Brisbane behind when you enter Cindy Chow's, whose secret entrance is one of its myriad charms. The way in is via a fridge door, tucked away to the right of the stairs which lead down to Ling Ling's Bar, in the historic Valley building that was once the home of The Sun newspaper.

At first glance the bar, a splendid vision of scarlet and jade, looks deceptively cosy, with a magnificent oriental-themed lounge to the left, the bar itself with curved ceiling and a mysterious velvet curtain with a swing in front of it to one side.

Adorned with Chinese statues, backlit cages of boutique and spirits, traditional artworks, birdcage lighting and furnished with luxurious leather booths, Chesterfield armchairs and bar stools, Cindy Chow's would have to be one of Brisbane's most luxe decadent bars.

In true prohibition style the bar has rooms and another bar hidden away, with a poker room behind a sliding mirror and a pocket-sized whisky den that seats just 8 people.

If the decor isn't enough to blow your mind, Cindy Chow's has a bespoke 'Lady Absinthe' fountain, as was all the rage one hundred years ago, and burlesque performers that come out late at night to perform on the hidden stage.

Settle in with a signature cocktail like the Birdcage (gin, creme de peche, creme de passion, citrus, orange juice & rhubarb), Oriental Pearl (koyomi shochu, pedro ximinez, apple juice, pineapple extract, citrus & cinnamon) or Opium Den (taliska 10yr; spiced rum and banana extract) and enjoy the smooth jazzy music from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga.

There's also a small curated selection of boutique wines, including a French rose, prosecco and champagne (Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon) as well as Asahi or Peroni beer and a couple of local craft beers.

The food is yet another attraction at Cindy Chow's - delectable tapas style Asian dishes designed to share, starting with snacks like lotus chips, nori fries and kim chi olives, as well as fresh oysters (natural or with Asian style dressing).

For something a bit more substantial there's coconut salmon ceviche, wasabi calamari, honey hoisin karaage chicken, chilli broth prok wontons and panko mushroom or chicken sliders.