Death & Co has officially touched down in Brisbane, taking over the historic basement of The Regatta Hotel. The East Village-born institution is one of the biggest names in modern cocktail culture, and Brisbane is now its second Australian home after Melbourne’s launch last month.
The team has transformed the former Walrus Club into a low-lit, cellar-style bar built for late-night drinking. Think leather booths tucked into corners, and candlelight spaces. There’s also The Studio by Death & Co – a second space with a classic-leaning cocktail list, live sets, and a program of jazz landing in the new year.
Founder and Co-Owner David Kaplan says Brisbane made sense from the start.
“Brisbane has a rhythm and energy all its own. The mix of historic charm and modern hospitality drew us in – from The Regatta’s storied basement to the way locals embrace great food, cocktails, and community,” he says. “We wanted to be in a city where our style of craft cocktails, intimate conversation, and quiet discovery would feel right at home.”
The menu merges Death & Co signatures with local inspiration, using Australian botanicals, and Four Pillars. Signature builds include the Telegraph, Sound & Fury, and the Buko Gimlet. You can still expect to see their global staples: the Naked & Famous, the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, and other house hits that define the brand.
The basement’s original character is intact, but the finish is unmistakably Death & Co – dark, moody, and built for lingering. Death & Co Brisbane opens seven days a week from Thursday to Sat 4pm–2am, and Sunday – Wednesday from 6pm–1am. Walk-ins run on a first-come, first-served basis.