The QC Club

The QC Club is one of Woolloongabba’s best kept secrets, from its schmick new in-house café to its expansive dining rooms and bar with stunning views of the Gabba grounds and stadium.

A major makeover in early 2017 saw the QC Club launched into a new era, with the addition of the café (which, for a reduced nomnal fee, a year membership can be utilized by local residents and workers) and the opening up of the restaurant to take full advantage of the panoramic vista, with discreet movable screens to cordon off areas for conferences and functions. 

Some of the traditional QC Club remains, including the whiskey cabinet and paintings of cricketing greats, confined to the chic foyer lounge area. Just beyond the foyer is the café, which is open 7 days from 7-3 for breakfast and lunch , serving what would have to be Woolloongabba’s best value breakfasts and lunches*. Tuck into Avo on toast for $8, Pancakes, Omelette or French Toast for $10 and even a hearty Big Breakfast for just $13.

Meantime lunch ranges from $10-$16, starting with pizzas for $10, Fish and chips for $12 and Crispy Pork Belly or Gourmet Steak burger for $15. There’s also a range of freshly made sandwiches, wraps and sweet stuff like muffins available.

When it comes to a long lunch or special dinner, QC’s private restaurant, the Sir Donald Bradman restaurant is the place where fully fledged members and their guests enjoy the best seats in the house with a menu to match (and free parking)

Recommended to start is the Tasting Entrée Platter, offering samples of the best of the Entrees such as Petit Lamb Cutlets wrapped in prosciutto, with fattoush salad, Tempura Vegetable Miso Broth, Oysters (Natural and Kilpatrick), Half Shell Bay Scallops with lemon grass and coconut sauce and the delicious Bao Bun (filled with Japanese duck breast, cucumber salad and chipotle aioli).

Mains meanwhile include dishes such as Dry Rub Chicken Spatchcock or Sous Vide Pork Loin with ginger and shallot butter, a Seafood Special of the day and a selection from the Char Grill.

Desserts are a real highlight – recommended are the Raspberry Parfait Sliders (with chocolate biscuit and fresh berries) and the Rich Banoffee Pie (grilled banana, marscapone cheese, chocolate dirt, rich caramel sauce and Bailey’s ice-cream).

Can’t decide? Try the 7 course degustation menu, top value at just $85.*

The wine list is first class, with most drops available by the glass as well as the bottle, and ranges up to premium offerings like 2006 Penfolds Grange and 2010 Torbreck the Laird, while sparkling wines and champagnes range from the likes of the Yarra Valley’s NV Chandon up to 2004 Dom Perignon. 

While you don’t have to be a member to enjoy the amenities here, membership comes with its own set of privileges, such as year-round dining in Sir restaurant, access to exclusive cricket and AFL tickets in the club’s own section of grandstand (with its own outdoor bar and best seats in the house), a discount for venue hire for both private and corporate purposes, personal invites to some social events and reciprocal entry to clubs nationally and overseas. Not to mention access to member’s parking in a special car park near the grounds of the Gabba.

Need to know – Dining at the Donald Bradman restaurant and drinks from the bar are open to fully-fledged QC members. Extra benefits include special allocated tickets to matches and concerts such as the recent Adele concert. The café is open to local residents and workers who can join for a reduced nominal fee and bring as many guests as they like per visit.

Nice to know – The QC Club is available to the general public for function bookings (makes a great wedding venue), from small conferences up to sit-down dinners or cocktail parties.

The menu may have changed since our visit.