A Hollow Victory

I hit up the Victory Tavern the other night with a group of friends.  The main reason we were there is because this place does AMAZING cocktails for only $8.50 on Thursday nights.  That includes very potent Long Island Iced Teas for those of you really trying to ring as much alcohol as possible from your dollars.  I also recommend Bliss, Strawberries and Cream, and the Weis Bar cocktails.  All are pretty and fruity and the Bliss looks like a rainbow in a high ball glass.

                                          Japanese Slipper, Strawberries and Cream, Bliss

However, despite having had a number of enjoyable visits to the Vic, I found it rather lack lustre going there whilst not being at college.  I had a good time, but the dance floors were near empty, and a lot of the cocktails I ordered were unavailable due to the bars being out of ingredients, which lead to me ordering far too many long island iced teas, which lead to some very bad kareoke.  Unfortunately, we did not earn much R-E-S-P-E-CT with our rendition of Aretha Franklin.  Sorry Babe...

However, I'm going to give this place another go, it has it's upsides.  Because it was quiet we could actually have conversations, there were pool tables free, and the bar tender had time to make me a delicious custom cocktail with raspberries, contrieau and malibu.  Plus they have live music, and a dj upstairs, (and kareoke) so there is something for everyone.

Take it away, Chop Chop!

I just had to share with you my favourite little down-the-road takeaway place, Chop Chop Takeaway.

This place has mixed reviews online, but I am guessing this is because those customers opted for home delivery, and ordered things like battered and chips (from a Chinese place, what were you expecting?).  However, as it's walking distance for me, I stroll myself down and ALWAYS get a 'snack pack'.  They are $6-7 and are huge! They would probably feed a girl with a smaller appetite than me for two meals.  The chicken and vegetable with fried rice is lip smackingingly satisfying, and takes 5 minutes for them to cook, and they are always super friendly.

This isn't super gourmet cuisine, but it's yummy, cheap and fast and great for students, especially post big-night-out.

Three Monkeys: Taste No Evil

The other night I visited the Three Monkeys at 58 Mollison Street, West End, with a couple of friends for a gossip.  This place is an institution amonst Brisbane locals.  The famous cafe has bohemian inspired nooks and crannies and an undercover outdoor area out the back, complete with a selection of board games to play.  The Chai Lattes are huge, the cake selection is delicious, and the meals are reasonably affordable compared to the surrounding area, especially considering you can spend hours here and never feel pressured to leave.

That Three Monkey's reputation has spread via only word of mouth is a testament to how much young Brisbanites love to talk.  And there's few better places to have a gossip or catch up than this quaint coffee house.

Perhaps one of the biggest drawcards is the generous opening hours.  The Three monkeys is open til late 7 days, with the kitchen open til 11pm.  Nice, hey?  What's even nicer is that it is reasonably busy until late, so you really don't feel like you are being a burden by giggling with your friends over a chessboard come coffee table til your mouths are slack from talking.