Hidden secrets - Burnett Lane

Brew Brisbane has many hidden secrets and as I had both a local Brisbanite and a Melbournian on one of my Greet recently, I decided to show them something I know the local wouldn’t know about and show that we are developing a laneway culture too at Brew. At the bottom part of Burnett Lane near some rubbish bins is a what looks like a tiny coffee cart but once you turn the corner you realise this funky, darky lit café/bar goes all the way down the building! Even though it’s so close to the Queen Street Mall people, will walk past it every day and not even give it a thought. So next time you walk past look down the alley and go down and check it out!

Felix

Turning up the other side of Burnett Lane away from Brew, you next come to the eatery Felix. It's been over a year since I've eaten there. But I remember that it was light filled, a little quirky industrial and served good that suited all the dietary requirements at our table. I love the multi coloured glass panels dividing Felix from the busy laneway outside.

Super WhatNot

Tucked away in Burnett Lane is this intimate little bar Super WhatNot that when it's not open it's very easy to miss. I know where it is and have overshot a number of times myself! But when it's open the people pile in. If you can get a spot in the second level you can look out to the comings of goings of a busy laneway. A petite range of beers are on tap. Check out which of your favourite microbreweries is on rotation next along with some bottled beer and wine! Just watch up for the cars when walking to it!

The laneway

As long as you watch out for all the traffic using this working laneway, don't forget to stop and look at the road itself!

Survey Co

Unfortunately I haven't yet been to The Survey Co but as I work my way up the rest of the venues on Burnett Lane it will certainly go on my to do list!

Black Power Salute Art

Whilst some of the art in Burnett Lane can be quite whimislcal, some has a socially important meaning. This picture shows a significant event in both Olympic and the equal rights for African-Americans movement. The guys who came first (Tommie Smith) and third (John Carlos) in the Olympic sprint event in 1968 made this sign of defiance of the black panther movement to show the world what they thought of discrimination in their country. It was a silent but powerful gesture but they were vilified and face death threats when they got home. The significance for us was the guy that came second was an Australian (Peter Norman). He knew what they planned to do and supported them. He is wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge during the ceremony. With the Rio Olympics about to start it’s a timely reminder that whilst these might just be games, the world is watching and it can be powerful. http://time.com/…/black-power-salute-tommie-smith-and-john…/

Political art

I think these politcal messages speak volumes for themselves.

Next (Hotel) art

Some of the more whimsical art

Blue Xinja

Blu Art Xinja (pronounced Ninja) is a spiderman-esq street artist whose signature blue plywood figures keep cropping up unexpectedly. Check out his current work in Burnett Lane before it’s taken down! http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/…/blu-art-xinjas-guerrilla-…

Burnett

Who is Burnett and why does he have a laneway, a river and a region (South Burnett) amongst other things named after him? Check out the walls in Burnett Lane to see this surveyor's story! http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/burnett-james-charles-3117

Shri Yoga

If all this talk about Burnett Lane this week is making you dizzy, take the time to chill out at Shri Yoga. Once you find the doorway and climb your way through the back of some building you will find a Yoga oasis. Not much time to do yoga? Pop along to a quickie session at lunch time!