Finney Isles

Finney Isles is a cocktail and wine bar in Fortitude Valley, tucked behind a blue door at the corner of Ann and Warner streets. Its setting is intimate and relaxed, with understated glamour and 1920s-inspired décor. The venue limits capacity to 80 guests, helping preserve the quieter, more secluded feel, although reservations are recommended during busy periods.

Drinks are the focus. The cocktail list includes both original creations and classic serves, with the venue putting considerable time into developing its flavours. Cocktails are intended to be enjoyed slowly, rather than treated as a quick stop between venues. There is also a substantial selection of wines and spirits, including a particular focus on gins, whiskies and local boutique wines. The website says the collection spans hundreds of carefully chosen flavours, giving curious drinkers plenty to explore.

Food is available as a complement to the drinks, with charcuterie platters, gourmet cheeses and meats among the named options. It is a useful fit for a drink and something to share, rather than a full dining destination. Service is described as friendly and attentive, matching the bar’s laid-back but polished approach.

The Finney Isles name draws on the history of the Ann Street site. According to the venue, Thomas Finney and James Isles ran a well-known drapery business there in the mid-to-late 1800s, later expanding to create the building now associated with David Jones in Queen Street Mall. The current bar uses that connection as a nod to Brisbane’s past while offering a very different kind of night out. It suits date nights, small group catch-ups, tastings and functions, with the venue also catering for mixology lessons, team-building events, corporate functions, engagement parties and hens parties.