With a massive surge in the number of people migrating to Brisbane to enjoy the warmer climates and relaxed lifestyle, Brisbane's nightlife has hit the accelerator. Cold XXXX and Bundy just won't cut it with the growing crowds of young urban professionals demanding cutting edge cocktails, sophisticated decor, outdoor drinking and a la carte dining all under one roof.

Helping to fulfill these demands is Jade Buddha, a glam new lounge bar and restaurant modeled on the prestigious Buddha Bar in Paris and Bungalow 8 in Sydney.

Jade Buddha is the brainchild of the Hogan Brothers, best knownd for Brisbane's Adrenalin Sports Bar. Moving away from the sports bar theme, this new venture is all about sophistication, a fusion of east and west that has been designed to observe the rules of Feng Shui by Brisbane achitect Renee Dunn. The indoor/outdoor space is rimmed with plush creme leather booths, offset by a mix of grey pebble and wood flooring. In the centre of the room is a slate grey water feature underlit by a ray of jade green light. This lighting theme is followed through to the bar, which is also backlit in jade green. To draw together the complete Asian theme, a series of lantern nshaped chandeliers are suspended from the bamboo ceiling and a collection of different buddhas are carefully positioned around the venue. While the leap from Adrenalin to Jade Buddha may seem huge, Gary Hogan, Director of Jade Buddha, says the philosophy behind both bars is very similar. According to Gary, Adrenalin Sports Bar was a fusion of ideas from travelling interstate and overseas and Jade Buddha was conceived in the same way.

"As a group, we've been operating in Brisbane for about 16 years and we think we have a good feel for what's coming up in the market", he says. "With Jade Buddha, we saw the site and thought it the perfect place to implement the trends of Asian fusion and casual dining.".

The site Gary refers to is the prime location at Eagle Street Pier, the city's wining and dining hub. It's home to a series of upmarket restaurants that boasts an unbeatable view over the picturesque Brisbane River. The Hogan Brothers were lucky enought to snag a pub licence, giving Jade Buddha the enviable position of being the only pub on the Pier.

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