students on a salary . Archive Beer Boutique .
I’ve never been a fan of beer however, since living in The Netherlands and being exposed to all sorts of European beers (especially Belgian), my mind has been opened to this afternoon alternative. Archive Beer Boutique on Boundary Street, West End had just opened upon my return to Brisbane and I was more than keen to put what I had learnt to the test.
This place certainly does its job in terms of selection and taste. Boasting 350+ brews, Archive does not fail to satisfy with 14 beers and ciders on tap with the rest available in bottles. Love what you drank? Have a look next door – chances are you can purchase it from their cellars.
Food is a little hit-and-miss, (which seems to be the case at many West End establishments), so opt for the haloumi and pumpkin burger ($17) or a steak ($28) as a sure bet. My second visit was a quick lunch and it was good to see the menu had since changed (with our least favourite options no longer in sight).
The decor of this boutique is that of an antique home-library full of old archives – lowered lighting, a bar made from classically bound books, wallpaper of comic book rip-outs and ‘book paged’ light installations. The boisterous evenings have the perfect set up for students on a salary with pool tables, comfy couches and higher bar tables for groups. Alternatively, visit during the day and find the perfect spot for a meeting or a simple lunch with a more professional crowd.
The service is also hit-or-miss; expect either student-service (average from both the counter and the bar), or friendly and funny bar and wait staff. Go into Archive with the right frame of mind and this beer haven is definitely the place to be after a week of all-nighters – whether that be because of a draining consulting project or a 5000 word assignment.
So depending on what you want, what you’re in for, who you are, and the time of day, Archive can definitely impress. Come in at a quieter time for lunch or later at night for a raucous beer and party-on with the students on site.
The Specifics
My food will cost: starters/sides $9-$16; share plates $38; salads $17; mains $17-$28
My beverages will cost: bottled beers $6-$20; pot $4; schooner $6
Good for: students who want something more classy than their local uni bar
Yum: haloumi burger; steak
My tastebuds say: hit? awesome! miss? i’m willing to come back and try again
My wallet says: my owner is a full-time student with a full-time job
Atmosphere: relaxed and profressional during the day; party-on student-style at night
Specials + Things
mon-fri 1200-1500 lunch specials (see the site or visit them for details)
mon bingo 1900
tue trivia 1900
wed 2-for-1 meals
thur pool comp 1900
Useful Stuff
w: http://www.archivebeerboutique.com.au/
p: +61 07 3844 3419
a: 100 Boundary Street, West End, 4101 (underneath Uber)
ot: mon-sun 1100-late (beer boutique); mon-sun 1200-1000 (bistro)
Date Visited: Sat 10/03/2012
Revisited: Wed 04/04/2012
Written: Wed 04/04/2012
