It's quite common for bars and venues to try and cater to a very specific demographic. Not The Motor Room, however – they've kept it simple and open to everyone, and it works.
What do you love about West End? Is it the quirky fashion? The range of international cuisine? The kind of atmosphere where you can kick back and share a round of beer with mates? Well the recently opened Motor Room has all that on offer, and then some.
The Motor Room is situated right in the middle of West End's Boundary Street Markets, with free entry and doors open from 3pm until late every Friday and Saturday. Formerly an old Peter's ice-cream factory, The Motor Room's owners have since converted the area into an entertainment space complete with a well-stocked bar. “[The Motor Room] was a generator room, so it was already insulated and soundproofed,” says venue manager Harry Bond. “[The complex owners] came to us at the Boundary Hotel and asked to do business and we thought, 'Yeah, we have to put a live music venue in here for sure’.”
Photo: © Simon Jun
Adding to the industrial feel of the venue is the bar itself, made from an old shipping container with tap beers and bar fridges installed inside. The list of drinks is what you'd expect from a place like The Motor Room, sporting a decent range of craft and international beers like Pacifico, Kirin, and Little Creatures, along with the usual wines and spirits. The menu does lack cocktails, but it makes sense given the venue's vibe; do you really want pina coladas with your Korean/ Mexican fusion tacos?
And yes, Korean/ Mexican fusion is something that's actually offered at the markets, alongside all the other street food stalls boasting dishes from around the world. “There's calamari, Brazilian sandwiches, Jamaican jerk chicken... I can't even keep up with how much different food there is each week,” Harry says. “The eight weeks I've been working here, I've been able to have something different each week.” (Author’s note: Personally, I recommend the Venezuelan empanadas.)
In terms of live shows, The Motor Room has attracted Brisbane-based acts like Dubmarine, Kingfisha, Laneous & The Family Jah and Chocolate Strings, with appearances by Bullhorn and The Good Ship coming soon. The presence of such beloved local talent has brought a lot of attention to the venue. “The Kingfisha night, we absolutely packed the place out,” Harry claims. “It was a massive night. There were probably 400 people in this space.”
Photo: © Simon Jun
While it's mostly the mid-to-late 20s age group that can be seen around the bar and entertainment floor, the overall patronage of The Motor Room and markets consists of all sorts of backgrounds and cultures. A large part of this is due to the variety offered by the stalls; the aforementioned international street food, bohemian jewellery, vintage clothing and knick-knacks, and even niche services like a one-man barbershop. “There's a pretty wide demographic; families, 20-somethings, 30-somethings, 40-somethings, and every sort of socio-economic background,” Harry explains. “And obviously a lot of West End hippies, as well as after-work drinks crowds from the office buildings around West End.”
Photo: © Simon Jun
So far, feedback has been beyond positive, with regulars appreciating the fact that West End finally has a place where everyone is welcome and can enjoy themselves. “It's a real community vibe, kids running around, older people sitting in the corner, a whole bunch of people dancing and having a great time, and they've all got smiles on their faces,” Harry says.
“Drinks aren't too expensive, the sound is great, and we've done something that everyone can go to in West End. Who doesn't enjoy free live music and cheap food and drink? I don't think there's anywhere else in Brisbane that offers that.”
Whatever your niche is, The Motor Room has got you covered, and is recommended for anyone looking for a fun, casual night out in West End, whether it's with mates or with family. In fact, it would also be the ideal place to take a date; the quirky stalls and laidback vibe make it easy to lose a couple of hours just walking around and taking it all in.
The Motor Room is open every Friday from 4pm with live music kicking off at 5pm. It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 12pm till late.
Photo: © Simon Jun
