Proof BBQ & Booze

Proof BBQ and Booze brings Kentucky-style southern hospitality to Brisbane's north side with lip-smackin' American-style barbecue and bourbon whiskeys.  

Co-owners Ryan Lane (ex-Gresham) and barbecue master Michael Cameron, have transformed the iconic Harry's Diner on Newmarket Road into a cool, barbecue joint and whiskey bar with timber tables and bentwood chairs filling the cosy space, and comfy leather stools nestled against the bar.

Pull up a stool and enjoy tasty bar bites like jalapeno poppers stuffed with cream cheese and beef brisket wrapped in bacon and glazed in honey, Texas fries (deep fried chicken skins tossed n Proof's secret rub) and burnt ends - Angus smoked brisket rubbed in Proof BBQ's coffee rub and soaked in a blend of bourbon and barbecue sauces. 

Everyone's favourite American food features on the menu, including buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce, mac n' cheese (smoked macaroni with 3-cheese blend topped with secret crumb), burnt end chilli beans, and juicy double beef burgers with melted cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce on a house made sweet potato bun. 

The mouth-watering meats are the main attraction here though: barbecued beef brisket, beef short rib, pulled pork, half chickens, and half and full racks of pork ribs.

For dessert, there's banoffee pie served with pecan ice-cream, and home baked cheese cake with blueberries and smoked vanilla ice-cream. 

Proof is fully-licensed with a bar boasting over 100  predominantly American whiskeys including small batch and special reserves, as well as local craft beers, a concise wine list, and whiskey cocktails like an Old Fashioned (Makers Mark, demerara and bitters), Mint Julep (Michter's small batch whisky, demerara and mint) and Boozy Root Beer Float (Makers Mark, lime, root beer and vanilla ice-cream).

*Menu items may have changed since our visit

By Deb Lidster 

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