Serving everything from seafood buckets and burgers to slushie cocktails and desserts, this red-hued, all-in-one wonderland is the place to go for a family night out, to catch the big game or to simply kick back for a feast with friends.

It was a lively scene at Claw on Friday August 11. As the newly minted sports bar and eatery celebrated its opening night, final preparations were being made over the road at the Brisbane Showgrounds ahead of the Ekka’s official commencement the following day.

The launch festivities were suffused with a carnival-like atmosphere, as punters jostled for position around Claw’s lengthy island bar, crowded into leather booths and stood captivated by the large-screen televisions airing sport fixtures from all codes – all while chowing down on a sampler of Claw’s American-inspired seafood and barbecue menu.

The concept is the latest from Potentia Solutions Leisure – the hospitality heavyweights behind hugely popular rooftop party spots Lina and Soko (as well as Bulimba eatery Mina Italian and James Street Mexican restaurant Carmen Tequileria) – and it sees the group delivering a vibrant and colourful take on West Coast crab shacks and American-style barbecue joints.

Taking over the spacious digs previously home to Welcome to Bowen Hills, the Potentia crew has given the 1000-capacity venue a vivid makeover, complete with a punchy red-dominated colour scheme, neon lights and Americana-inspired decor. Though a veritable playground for adults, Claw is the Potentia group’s first foray into family-friendly hospitality, with a purpose-built children’s playground and arcade games offering entertainment for the whole brood.

On the menu is a broad selection of eats to get your hands dirty with. With the Ekka on, Claw is debuting with a slightly reduced menu. Guests can start with appetisers like fried jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese, battered hand-cut onion rings and chicken wings tossed in your choice of buffalo, garlic, parmesan or sweet barbecue sauce.

Burgers are also on the menu, with five options including the likes of the Classic Top Gun (beef, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup and mayo), the BBQ Beef Sloppy Joe (with traditional Louisiana-style barbecue sauce, crispy fried onion and creamy coleslaw) and the Ring My Porto-bella (marinated portobello mushroom with roasted red pepper, avocado and herb cream cheese). Once the mayhem of the Ekka dies down, the menu will expand to include seafood buckets, saucy ribs, succulent steaks and decadent desserts.

While the best is yet to come as far as food is concerned, Claw’s beverage program has been fully uncorked. From an exposed keg room, CLAW is pump an extensive range of rare and sought-after craft beers alongside mainstream favourites, while a tidy wine list includes 17 drops available by the glass. As for cocktails, Claw’s bartenders are shaking up concoctions like the Cactus Apple Margarita (tequila, apple liqueur, lime, agave, lemon and dragonfruit boba), Root Beer Float (vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur and sarsaparilla, served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream), and the Crabs on the Beach (a shareable drink boasting vodka, St. Germain Elderflower, peach liqueur, orange juice and pineapple juice, served over ice in a shark-infested fishbowl), as well as a clutch of slushie cocktails.

Claw is now open to the public seven days a week – head to the Stumble Guide for operating hours and contact details.

Image credit: food imagery courtesy of Claw

This article was written by James Frostick from The Weekend Edition.