Major Brisbane footbridge to close for expansive Greek dinner

The Goodwill Bridge is usually the domain of pedestrians and cyclists, either commuting to the CBD Monday to Friday or exploring the city on the weekend.

But on May 7 the 450-metre bridge, which links South Bank to the City Botanic Gardens, will welcome a different kind of interloper when it hosts Brisbane’s Biggest Greek Dinner.

For one night only, the bridge will transform into a long-table dining experience for 250 guests to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Paniyiri Greek Festival, which will be held two weeks later on May 23-24.

“This idea has been mentioned in the past, but was never really anything we set our minds to,” said Kos Kastrissios, co-chairman of the Paniyiri volunteer organising committee. “Ultimately, it came together semi-organically, you know, ‘maybe we should do [something] for the 50 years’.

“From there, we got onto the [state] government [which manages the bridge] and they loved the idea. Everyone wanted to help pull it off; it’s been a lot of work, but very exciting.”

For food, The Greek Club’s Nostimo restaurant is collaborating with Tassis Group (Stilts, Yamas the Greek, Dark Shepherd et al) to present a multi-course Greek-inspired feast that focuses on seasonal produce presented in dishes designed to be shared. Drinks, such as Greek wines and a beer made especially for Paniyiri, are included in the ticket price.

“It’s a five-course banquet so there will be plenty of food and wine,” Kastrissios says. “We’re also launching the Paniyiri beer at the dinner. It’s a Greek lager brewed in conjunction with Felons, so that’s exciting for us.

“Nostimo is obviously part of The Greek Club, which is part of the Greek community. But an event of this size and scale is for all Greeks, and Michael [Tassis] obviously has several Greek restaurants. He was very excited to do it with us, and it adds to that celebratory aspect.”

The dinner will also feature Hellenic dancers, while comedian and actor Mary Coustas will revive her association with Paniyiri by hosting the dinner as iconic character Effie Stephanidis from TV’s Acropolis Now.

“I think I’ve missed four Paniyiris since I was born in 1980,” Kastrissios says. “Back then, it was just the Greeks who went, and it started as this showcase for the wider Brisbane.

“By the time I was a teenager, it had started changing. I went to [Brisbane] State High, and my non-Greek friends would start coming. By the 2000s, it was well on the path to becoming what it is today. It’s for every culture, every race; anyone that comes is an honorary Greek.”

Brisbane’s Biggest Greek Dinner will take over the Goodwill Bridge on Thursday night, May 7. Tickets available here.