Many bar goers breathed a sigh of relief when the Queensland government banned smoking inside clubs and pubs. So why is this South Brisbane cafe, where smoking is not only allowed but expected, so popular with patrons?
Paladar Fumior Salon (
corner Fish Lane and Merivale Street, South Brisbane) is an old fashioned cigar bar and one of the few places in Brisbane where one can source a decent Cuban. Now if you're imagining leather lounges and older men drinking neat scotch well, close, but no cigar.
The Paladar is a bright and funky cafe, a slice of colourful Cuba in the middle of industrial inner city Brisbane. The bright red building is hard to miss, set as it is against a backdrop of grey concrete buildings. The immediate impression upon entering is, of course, the smell of coffee and cigars – not a bad thing – and with exposed brick work, brightly coloured furniture and Cuban themed clutter providing decoration, you'll find it hard to believe you're still in Brisbane.
The venue is also a cafe and espresso bar that serves coffee and pastries. Cuban cigars and handicrafts are available for purchase. The salon has an open air downstairs courtyard and a rooftop terrace, which becomes more popular later in the day.
The Paladar Fumior Salon is a space for enjoying a coffee, reading your paper and savouring a good cigar. It open at 7.00am until 2.00pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 7.00am until midnight on Friday.
