Tomcat

"Tomcat takes the Fortitude Valley bar scene up a secret careworn set of stairs to a whole new level, where a stunning cavernous space of moody atmospheric rooms and nooks awaits. Walk through the arches on the side to find the pool room resplendent with more wall art, two red pool tables, and at one end, the door to the smoking balcony, a funky caged-in space that looks out across the Valley rooftops. At the other end is some seating and a giant mural of Bill Murray spruiking Suntory (from his cult movie Lost in Translation). Move closer and not only does he become clearer but so does the door that is hidden within the artwork. Occupying the top floor of a historic building that was once an illegal Chinese gambling den (which left Chinese dice hidden in the ceiling) and more recently a gaudy hot pink hip hop club, Tomcat comprises a mega barn-like main dive bar with graffiti and street art covered walls, pool room, smokers cage balcony and The Boiler Room, a secret shabby chic vintage bar with hidden entrance. Open the door and you’re in The Boiler Room and in a glamorous other-world, with 500+ cocktails and Remy Martin cognac the drink de jour, Chesterfield lounges, casement windows, bartenders in braces, exposed handmade brick walls, gilt mirrors, candlelight and more blue velvet couches. Need to know – Tomcat has a blink-and-you-miss-it street entrance – a heavy metal graffiti-covered door tucked in next to Prohibition Bar’s imposing entry."