There’s a shared DNA that runs through all of the Northey family’s hospitality venues. The operators behind Teneriffe mainstay Streetcorner Jimmy and Sandgate standout Bluenose Betty have a knack for crafting convivially approachable watering holes. Old Mr Rabbit, the crew’s brand-new Bulimba haunt, has wasted no time becoming a go-to for many – after a week of trade it’s already captured the attention of local custom.

But its not the loaded menu and well-provisioned bar that folks seem to be drawn to – there’s something else these locales offer that keeps people coming back. “It’s time away from the world,” says co-owner and operator Ryan Northey. “We don’t sell one thing – we just sell time away from the world, where you can come in and you don’t have to worry about anything for a little bit.”

Perched above Oxford Street in the site previously home to Upper Deck (next door to Luckies Kitchen), Old Mr Rabbit’s elevated position already offers a sense of removal from the street-level bustle. Move through the set of old Moroccan villa doors at the entry (and past a mural of the venue’s mascot, Rabsy) and the space’s eclectic, colour-packed decor – think chesterfield lounges, washed-out lime-coloured walls, 70s-inspired burnt-orange and turquoise mosaic tile bar, antique raw timber cabinets and arresting artworks from Sodamouf and Fat Ankle – offers a similar sense of escapism.

“We love the space and we wanted to make sure it was made with love,” says Ryan of the sensory-stimulating surrounds. “These are the kind of places that we’d want to go to or get our friends around and have a drink at.”

While vibes are absolutely on point, the aforementioned menu and beverage offering is similarly sensational. As for the what comes out of the kitchen or is served over the bar, Ryan puts it simply. “We sell what we like,” he says. “It’s a good mix of what we felt was right for the community – good quality, high quality bar food done well.”

Old Mr Rabbits’ menu is broad, encompassing small bites and hearty belly fillers. Highlights include tangy frickles, crumbed mushroom buttons with garlic aioli, smoked cheese kransky hoagies with bacon jam, pulled chook and smoked camembert flatbread pizzas, huge old-school schnitties and ice-cream waffle sandwiches.

The bar pours beer from a range of independently owned breweries, classic and signature cocktails (including an espresso martini that is described as, possibly, the best you’ll ever have), sangria jugs and wines ranging from effervescent pet nats to Barossa merlots. Like its sibling venues, Old Mr Rabbit has daily deals and is even running locals arvos during school pick-up hours.