Free Dirks at Dirk’s new South Bank store
If you haven’t met a Dirk yet, think of it as the humble hot dog with ideas above its station: oven-baked beef chevapi, a custom milk bun, bold sauces and fresh toppings. The Brisbane-born brand opened at Buranda Village in August, and now it’s opening its second Brisbane store on Grey Street, near the South Bank cinemas. To celebrate, lunch is on Dirk’s, with free Dirks on Saturday. It’s also the launch of the new Crispy Chicken Dirk range, which swaps the beef for golden, crispy free-range chicken tenders. That makes it a free lunch and a first taste of something new, which is our kind of Saturday.
Where: Shop 3, 167 Grey Street, South Bank
When: Opening, Saturday 7 November, 11am to 2pm, while stocks last
Make it two at Riverbar
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For something more relaxed, Riverbar has a pairing that suits a long weekend afternoon. For $40, you get two glasses of Chandon and two prawn sliders, which is about as civilised as a Saturday afternoon gets when the Story Bridge is hanging over the table. The pairing is on until 30 November, so there’s time to fit it in for a catch-up, a long lunch or a golden hour that goes a little longer than planned. DJs start at 3pm on Saturdays, which gives the bubbles a soundtrack.
Where: Riparian Plaza, Promenade Level, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane
When: Until 30 November (in venue only)
Price: $40 for two glasses of Chandon and two prawn sliders
Outer Space Art Market at Fish Lane
The Outer Space x Fish Lane Art Market is back for its Spring Edition, and the lineup has grown. Expect tables of prints, paintings, photography, illustration, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and independent publications, with the people who made them standing right there to chat about it. Tahsha is on the decks and Southside is pouring, so it’s the kind of market you wander through with a drink and no plan. It’s also a smart head start on Christmas shopping: a print, a ceramic or a piece of jewellery from a local maker beats another candle.
Where: Fish Lane Town Square, South Brisbane
When: Saturday 7 November, 2pm to 5pm
Price: Free
Riverbar is back, and it looks different
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Riverbar reopened on Saturday 24 October after a refresh, and we think it’s worth a second look even if you were a regular. The same river and Story Bridge view are still front and centre, but the space now has warm timber, olive and terracotta tones, brass accents and softer lighting made for sunset drinks. The menu has moved on too. Order a Story Bridge Sling or a Shaved Ice Pink Moscato, then add Reuben sliders, a prawn & bug burger, a house flatbread or a seafood tower for the table. Live DJs and musicians play from 5pm on Fridays and 3pm on Saturdays, so the afternoon slides into evening.
Where: Riparian Plaza, Promenade Level, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane
When: Open seven days. Monday to Thursday 9am to midnight, Friday to Sunday 7am to midnight
Barbara Heath: Hidden Jewels opens at GOMA
If you have kids to entertain, this is the one to circle. Barbara Heath: Hidden Jewels is a free exhibition in GOMA’s Children’s Art Centre, featuring the work of Brisbane jeweller Barbara Heath, who calls herself the ‘Jeweller to the Lost’. Kids can explore her world through an interactive video set in her studio, then make their own pieces in hands-on activities, while her jewellery is on display for the grown-ups to look at. It runs well beyond this weekend, so there’s no rush if Saturday is already full.
Where: Stanley Place, South Brisbane
When: Opens Saturday 7 November and runs until 25 July 2027
Price: Free
Line it up well and Saturday practically writes itself: free Dirks from 11am, the art market from 2pm, a wander through Hidden Jewels in between if the kids are in tow, and golden hour at Riverbar to finish. We’ll be back next Thursday with another round of weekend picks.