Lust for Life

Brisbane is surprisingly slow at 7am… I stumbled across very few breakfast joints, and the ones I did seemed spartan and uninhabited. Perhaps it was the week before all the offices reopened so the atmosphere in the city/​valley was unseasonably vacant.
Lust for life had what I was after which was a tall ice coffee and a bagel. The service was cool, and had a very distinct hipster vibe as does this whole joint.
The walls are full of interesting things to scan while waiting. And I was pleasantly surprised at how well priced my breakfast was.

Imagine that. You’ve been blabbering about getting that tattoo for over 10 years. But you really suck when it comes to drawing. And not a single design looks good enough. And you don’t even know how to start looking for a tattoo artist. Then (suddenly!) someone mentions Aureole and her Lust for Life. You go on their website and instantly you know THIS IS THE PLACE.
I found Lust for Life through my friends who went there for Unilocal Elite event.
Took me quite some time to get enough courage to give them a call and arrange a meeting with Aureole, but when I finally did it, I wasn’t disappointed!
I went there with a very vague description («I want that thingy, with, you know, thingies around, and you know, make them swirly and pretty and nicest ever») and ended up with an amazing tattoo.
Same happened second time. People on the streets stop me to tell me how much they love my tatts!
So you know. If you can’t decide where to go to get your tattoo — give Lust for Life a call. Really.
Alright, now the place.
It’s two floors, ground where there is art gallery and coffee shop and reception and some rooms in the back where tattoo artists will chat with you and draw awesome designs.
Upstairs is where the magic happens — the tattooing part. It is very clean and very sterile — exactly what you want from a tattoo salon!
All the people working in there are amazing! I haven’t heard a grumpy response ever. They’ll all will chat with you and tell you stories so the time you sit on the chair and getting inked passes very quickly.
I have not yet had a chance to try their coffee or muffins — that I hope will happen soon!
But as for the tattoo salon part, I love it.

Being the lucky winner of free coffees from Lust for Life, I was lured back to this tattoo parlour-​art gallery-​café located right in the heart of the Valley. After visiting this trendy space about a month ago for an event, I’ve been meaning to return get a feel for the ambience on a typical day, try out their coffee, or better yet, their bagel sandwiches that people have been raving about.
Open quite early in the morning, Lust for Life has quite the selection of drinks, as well as bagel sandwiches and baked goodies that a hungry tummy can choose from. Upon arriving, I noticed that there was new art on the wall — this time plaques of skulls, etc. Awesomeness! And quite fitting for the café itself — as the tattoo parlour is just in the back. I went up to the counter to order, delicious looking muffins and brownies tempted me as I proceeded to order a skinny latte and a smoked salmon frittata. I wasn’t quite hungry enough for a bagel, so I decided on the frittata, which ended up being a bit dry, but it wasn’t too salty, and tasted alright. My coffee was quite hot when it arrived, which isn’t a complaint at all, and it was nice and bold, but wasn’t burnt or overly dark for me. I was quite happy with it — and the ’40’s girl’ mug it came in! The presentation was just very fitting for the theme of Lust for Life, down to their napkins, which simply made me happy.
I rarely get asked if ‘I’m doing ok’ during a meal, and I certainly was! The barista wes attentive and super friendly, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They have couches for those looking to get cozier, but I chose a bar stool instead, and plopped myself down to do some reading. After a while it gets a bit uncomfortable — but hey, like most cafes in Brisbane, they close at 2:30pm. Sad, but it’s probably their only downside!

Having attended the Lust for Life Elite event here recently, I wanted to come back to to this place in the cold light of day (a rainy one at that), without the bias of free cupcakes, wine, ciders, and dumplings.
I can honestly say I agree with all the positive reviews that have already been said about this unique space. Lust for Life is a perfect name for this espresso bar, tattoo parlour, art-​gallery, because everything from the décor, to the high ceilings, the art, screams «carpe diem!». Its a perfect example of an outlandish idea actually being an awesome one in reality.
I ordered my usual long black coffee (they serve Cleanskins here) but probably not as strong as I normally like, only mild. Although I appreciate that its not bitter at all and easy to drink.
My friend had a Turkish BLT, and could not stop raving about it. «The perfect ratio of filling to bread. It had a tomato paste that was sweet and tomatoey». This was his first time here, and I’m sure not his last.
This is one place that is a must visit for locals and out-​of-​towners alike.

Recently had our Unilocal Elite event here and I had the pleasure of discovering this nifty nook of the valley. I was pleasantly surprised with this 3 business in 1 location with the beautiful polished floors and the eclectic atmosphere.
Long gone the preconceptions of a dodgy tattoo parlour, welcome the clean crisp art gallery with a separate tattoo parlour upstairs, makes you want to get inked. Aureole was really friendly and welcoming and kind enough to show us around. Looking around there are a lot of cool items like pocket wallets and on the walls huge pieces of art from local and international artists alike.
It’s like a hodge podge of creative, bagel-​eating coffee-​drinking, artsy people and products all in one. Just a real breath of fresh air. If you are wishing to get inked, it is advisable to ring ahead and make a booking first.

I’ve only been to the café, but I don’t mind coffee and bagel sandwiches served with a friendly side of punk. I talked to the barista a few times back in August about AI and «The Singularity» while he made me an Americano (his first, he said).
I’ll definitely be back.

A Tattoo Parlour. A Café and Bagel Bar. An Art Gallery. Three different states of play, one location. The concept for Lust for Life could easily be tacky but thanks to the vision and tenacity of this nook’s owners, it is anything but. Each different area works as one and the atmosphere within Lust for Life is seamless. It is sophisticated with its own edge.
I stopped in for a coffee and ended up trying their mini-​banana bread and yes, I’ll admit 95% of me bought it based on the fact it was so tiny and cute. Ugh, who have I become?
Anyway, the iced coffee I had using Cleanskin beans was smooth and refreshing (as all Cleanskin coffees are) and had me buzzed for the rest of the day. While I was sipping away I wandered up and down the walls perusing the current art exhibition and ended up walking away buying a darling print of a fox by local artist Stacey Marie.
Of course, if you’re one to be inked then this is Lust for Life’s main gig and they’ve got a solid and talented team of artists on board.
I’ll be back for a bagel next time…

Need a quick and tasty bagel breakfast in a place with sweet décor, Lust for Life is your winner.
Today I wondered in and (eventually) decided on one of their vege breakfast bagels (inc ingredients such as haloumi, caramelised onions, mushrooms and some amazing tomato relish) and far out that was a good choice. I’m not sure how often then change their menu but it was definitely different from when I last visited maybe ⁵⁄₆ weeks ago.
If you just want something quick and easy like a peanut butter and jam bagel (which my friend decided on) a meager $ 4.5 will get you your tasty treat!
I’ve only ever seen one person working in the espresso bar as that side of the business doesn’t seem to be the priority so, as long as you go in when it isn’t too busy you’ll receive relaxed and super friendly service along with delicious, reasonably priced food!

Aureole from Lust for Life has been doing my tattoo’s for a few years. I have followed her from her days at Wild at Heart to 198 Tattoo to finally her own home at Lust for Life Tattoo.
This is such a wonderful idea that has come to fruition. An expresso bar, art gallery and tattoo studio. The décor is amazing and just screams Aureole. The coffee is great and to see all the artwork which changes monthly is just the icing on the cake.
The tattoo studio is amazing and I couldn’t recommend Aureole or Sou more for any amazing custom work you might be after.
Please note — they don’t talk walk-​ins, you will need to book an appointment by phone — be prepared to wait but it is definitely worth it.

Coffee shop, art gallery and tattoo parlour… What the WHAT???
When I first saw this place open on Wickham Street, in between all the cheap and tasty Asian restaurants, I was so confused. But surprisingly these things all seem to go well together.
It’s no surprise that tattoo artists have great taste in design and décor and that works hand in hand with a café and gallery. Lust for Life is not the only place in the Valley that serves food/​drink and is run by a tattooist — Yard Bird Ale House has connections with 198 Tattoo.
Unfortunately like so many coffee spots in the Valley, after 3pm they all close up. Lust For Life is still open after 3pm, but not the Espresso Bar part of the shop. It’s so hard to find good coffee in the CDB after morning/​lunch time :(
I really have to be careful with this place, I could seriously see myself walking in for a coffee and walking out with a tattoo.

Lust for Life is a curious combination of café, tattoo parlour, and art gallery tucked between restaurants on Wickham Street. The mezzanine level contains the tattoo section, and the ground level holds the café and art gallery sections. The fit-​out is clean and minimalist and makes it a nice area to wander around.
Signs inside and outside the shop advertise the iced teas, but while I was in there I wasn’t offered any café service. The focus is obviously more on the artistic side of things, so definitely worth a look if you’re contemplating some ink. If Lust for Life wants to compete as a café, improvements will need to be made to the service side of things.

Lust for Life has recently opened in the Valley as a unique coffee house and tattoo parlour combo. Owners Oriel and Paul have combined their skills to bring together a jolly good brew with some of the best ink-​ers in town. The great thing about this place is that it has stayed true to its Chinatown surrounds — the décor of polished floors, lacquer Chinese panels and the bright open-​plan design sits well seeing as it’s just a stone’s throw from Chinatown Mall.
They’ve got a fab selection of fresh gourmet wraps and turkish toasties to choose from, and their coffee is roasted by local boys Tim and Jef from Jett Espresso so you know it’s good! An innovative and novel idea that hopefully gains a following as time goes on — they’ve only been open for a couple of weeks.
Definitely worth checking out, if only to soak up the ambience of the busy traffic outside and the ongoing buzz of the artist at work.