High tea at Bacchus

I found myself is the enviable position this week of nabbing an invitation to the launch of high tea at Bacchus, the now 5-month old luxury bar at Rydges South Bank.

If you haven’t been to Bacchus, it’s one level up from the street and is a slightly odd all-in-one entertainment space. There is an outside deck complete with glistening pool, ready for cocktail hour, there is an art-deco inspired restaurant in varnished wood with golden trimmings and a bar lounge with the feel of a London club complete with high-backed arm chairs you can disappear into.

Business women and men enjoying some indulgence. 

Photo filtered to better represent the feel of the bar. 

As it was the launch, we were rather spoilt. Instead of the standard one glass of bubbles, a charming waitress was circling with a bottle, so my one glass of Moet turned mysteriously into three. Also, instead of the usual three-plated tier of delicacies, waiters circulated with plates of delicate sandwiches, macarons, coffee cake and citrus tarts, so there was no moderation in my demolition of pastries and chicken salad sandwiches.  

It was a most pleasant way to spend a Thursday lunchtime.

 

If you’re looking for a place to have high tea in Brisbane, I would recommend Bacchus. The space has an enticing feeling of luxury, and the food is excellent. Rydges really is going all out, bringing in top managers and pastry chefs from all over the world to oversee their latest venture, topped off with excellent waitstaff, who are worth their weight in gold for the positive influence they have on your experience.

There are three levels of tea - English cream tea ($30 p/p), quintessential high tea ($36 p/p) and Champagne high tea ($49 p/p). As someone who has experienced a fair few high teas over the last two years thanks to girlfriends getting married, I would recommend Bacchus for the quality of the food and service.