Cru Bar + Cellar

Another one of my favourite places, when you go try the «Tiger Blood «cocktail, it’s a cocktail with chilli, yes chilli, and boy does it have kick, we tried the lemon pepper calamari, which was that fresh, it melted in your mouth. We also had the pizza as well which was mouth watering. This is fantastic place. Everything is 5 star.

I know, I know, I’m late to the game on this one. But when one of my very favorite Brisbane memories involves drinking champers and white rabbit sitting along the perimeter of this enchanting bar, windows wide open facing bustling, trendy James Street, I figure it’s a «better late than never» reviewing situation.
To me, it’s as much about the champaign selection (such amazing champaign) as it is about the ambiance (such gorgeous ambiance) and upon meeting the staff both on a personal visit as well as during a Unilocal event, the folks behind the bar couldn’t be nicer. I understand this is a see and be seen in the scene type of place that could easily be mistaken for hype, but trust me when I say it’s not. Cru’s style is equally matched by substance and this bar has some serious lasting power.

It’s ok, nothing to write home about. A beautiful selection of wines, staff lack opening and pouring skills. They also lack skills to say thank you to a large tip. Done, over it, moving on to another place.

Being on James Street is a reason in itself to visit Cru Bar! Beautifully furnished, the atmosphere is relaxed and based on the salt and pepper calamari we had, you won’t be disappointed by the food.

Every time I come to Brisbane and walk past Cru, I do a double take because it simply looks that good. I finally went in yesterday and was distressed to realise what I’d been missing out on: the best wine list ever! I’m in love with Cru’s wine list. The food I had was droolworthy and the service was friendly and polite. The way it’s been decorated makes Cru an absolutely beautiful space in which to drink with a great location for people-​watching.
For atmosphere and wine list alone, this place deserves 5 stars.

I really love this venue. James Street is a great place to be in Brisbane and I think this is one of the best venues on the strip. Last went here for Brunch on Saturday and the place was very busy. The service team managed to give us a reserved table by the window as the next reservation was not due for two hours.
Nice simple brunch menu in a cool venue and could could accompany your brunch with a freshly brewed coffee or spice it up with a tempting brunch cocktail list.
Cru has saved me when Brisbane has done its best to frustratingly show me that many restaurants prefer to close up early, rather then offering guests a dining option. After may restaurants along James Street turned me and my friends away at 9:30pm on a Thursday Cru Bar was open and ready to accept my business.
Yes I admit, I am a fan: o)

I came here with some friends for a late after-​dinner coffee and was pleasantly surprised at how empty it was, seeing as how it always appears to be jam packed. We were seated in a romantic little corner and happy in our quiet surroundings. The coffee’s were good, the mood was relaxed, and the service was satisfactory. One member of our coffee party ordered an Affogato sans liquor as he was to be driving home, and the staff were pleasantly accommodating. He reported that it was quite good, and that it hit the spot. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Cru has a softer, quieter side worth exploring too.

Cru always struck me as more of a bar/​bottle shop than a restaurant so when we decided to try the food here for a special occasion just after new years I have to admit I was a little sceptical. I’d had a drink here a few times and remembered as a loud social place that had great atmosphere and a phenomenal bottle shop. The food was the one thing I was unsure of, but something that would be important to all of us.
The good news is that we were not dissappointed. Our waitress was friendly, helpful, intuitive to our needs without being overbearing or fussing over us. We chose to share from the tapas menu between the four of us so we could pretty much have one of everything and found some little gems in our sampling. The highlights were the Salmon Creviche, the Chicken and Green Peppercorn Pâté and the Saffron and Pinenut Croquettes. The size of the dishes was perfect for sharing with four and the flavours suited our special glass of champagne that we ordered along with it. Other choices included the Spring Rolls with Hoi Sin Sauce (a bit like a supersized chico roll), Asian spiced pork belly, Chilli Prawns with pawpaw and pickled ginger, and the spanner crab pastie. None of these jumped off the plate and wow’d us like the first selection. Each was a bit heavier in flavours and clunkier in its execution. We tried the much recommended calamari based on previous reviews and at the risk of being lynched we were very underwhelmed. It was overcooked and lacking in texture whilst the mayonaise had not even a hint of the wasabe that was mentioned on the menu. I really thought there was some much nicer options on the menu.
I think fortunately for us being a Monday night the dining area was constant, but not flat out. It was an absolute bonus learning that the kitchen stays open until 10pm (a rarity in our experience in Brisbane) which meant we could linger over our food before deciding on what else we wanted. Our finishing coffee was one of the best we’ve had in a while in Brisbane which was an added bonus.
Cru impressed me. I would highly recommend this for a group of friends looking for somewhere nice for a bite to eat with drinks or cocktails. It is not formal dining, but it is a special location for a celebration. And if you love what you’re drinking from the winelist and want more, meander over to the bottle shop next door and buy a takeaway.

Going to Cru Bar for lunch today, need a chilli prawn linguini fix.

Went for a girls night. The bar was packed from when we arrived until we left 3 hours later. Classy crowd, not too loud but there was a constant buzz. Nice selection of wines, bubbles, beers and cocktails. Share plates are yummy. Wait staff was very attentive.

Cru Bar is always a place I’d felt intimidated by until I met friends their before dinner at Bucci recently. Let’s face it this isn’t a place you come for the food (although there was a time when the much loved salt and pepper calamari was removed from the menu and it caused such uproar it was promptly returned to it’s rightful place), but the drinks. Cocktails, wine, champagne, spirits — chances are if you want it, Cru will have it.
We ordered a round of cocktails from the Superman Punch to my gin-​based Southside and happily sipped our drinks from a corner seat with great Spring breezes coming through.
Cru, I judged you. I judged you incorrectly. Let’s be friends? Fabulous cocktail friends.

This is my idea of booze paradise. Teeming with wine (OMG, the champagne selection!) and with a great airy feel, this is a great place to spend a few hours eating and drinking delicious things. Sure, it gets a bit crowded with the Friday crowds but if you score a nice table in a corner like I did then you should be happy and undisturbed.
One word of advice — order the calamari.

My review is for the «+ Cellar» part of «Cru Bar + Cellar», because I’ve only ever set foot in the latter half. I suppose that could be taken as a review of sorts in itself, because I’ve just never really been interested. The Bar doesn’t really seem to be marketed my way, I guess.
But the Cellar… oh, my. The weird and wonderful drinks found within this small space will leave you starry-​eyed. A few months ago I was on the hunt for a specific weird/​wonderful drink (crème de mure, if you must know) and most sources pointed to Cru as being The Place to go. Most sources were right — there were TWO different brands to choose from!
Graham was of huge assistance to me and also didn’t seem to mind my engaging him in a chat about gin, backed by my overenthusiasm and glee at the selection of brands available that I hadn’t seen elsewhere in Brisbane. I shouldn’t have been surprised, based on the good reviews via word of mouth that had led me to Cru in the first place, but STILL. Aviation Gin! Blue Gin, Boudier Saffron, Juniper Green… an amazing and exotic range. I know where to go in the future to get my gin snob on, and I can’t wait.
The Cellar’s hours are a little shorter than the Bar’s. Saturday to Wednesday you’ll find the cellar open from 9am — 7pm, and open until 8pm on Thursday and Friday nights.
(There’s also an absolute buttload of fancy wine, but every bottle-​o has a bunch of wine. Says the non wine snob.)

To be honest I’m a little underwhelmed by Cru Bar. It is a lovely venue, and the service is OK, but it seems to rest on its laurels a bit.
Last time I visited was a public holiday so it was very busy. Our waitress was pretty good at keeping waters topped up, but when the bill came I understood why! Add a 15% surcharge to already top shelf prices and you rack up quite the state deficit.
I don’t mind paying for exceptional food and drinks, but the beverages were what you’d expect from any venue and frankly the food left me a bit cold. Pretty on the plate but oily was the summation of most dishes ordered. Plus, $ 12 for a lemon lime and bitters and a pot of house cider is too expensive even with a surcharge.
Shame, as everyone else seems to adore it.

Cru Bar + Cellar is to wine what the National Library of Australia is to books: varietal upon varietal of wine exquisitely stacked to the ceiling. Boasting everything from a Barossa Shiraz through to a Spanish Grenache Rose.
You could easily spend half a day wandering through their cellar and the other half sampling all of the bottles. Just a word of warning — if you’re dining in the bar, don’t buy a bottle from the cellar unless it’s featured on the menu — otherwise you’ll be slapped with a corkage fee.

If you’re seeking an escape from the under-​age schoolies and buzzed up 18 year olds that have taken over the Valley, then seek sanctuary here.
The crowd is older, more sophisticated and… calmer. My fave place to sit and sip a chilled house white is on the leather banquettes by the French windows that open out onto the street. Of course I then have to spend the rest of the evening trying not to get drunk and fall backwards onto the footpath, but it’s a small price to pay. (I always wear my best knickers just in case).
Even the standard wines on offer are really decent. Although I’m in no way a vino connoisseur (my way of figuring that I’ve drunk a good wine is the lack of headache the next day.)
But the fact I’ve never had a throbbing skull after a night out at Cru is a good enough indication of a top wine cellar to me…

Whilst the service here is at best lacklustre, the calibre of drinks, atmosphere and crowd go a long way to making up for it.
A sensational spot to stop for an afternoon apéritif or lunch as you make you way around James St stores (just make sure to book), Cru seems to constantly be buzzing.
The cocktails, the mocktails and the calamari are all deeeeeeeelish! Have one for me, won’t you?

Love this place! Stylish, Sophisticated and so much class. Wether it be sunday afternoon drinks or after work catch ups it is definitely my favorite bar! The music, drinks and on street location is just right, great overall vibe! I ordered the Spring rolls which were amazing! and the menu has a wide selection. Drinks menu is in detail and wide selection, especially for the wine lovers. The cost is as expected for such a nice bar and location. Bookings recommended. Lovely staff
The Cellar is just inside next to the bar