Petra 1

Petra 1 over in West End, Queensland is a bit of an all-rounder when it comes to corner shops, blending a tobacco shop with a cigar shop, hookah store, gift shop and even a gourmet and American grocery setup. With a solid 4.5-star rating off 177 reviews, plenty of locals have wandered through the doors and come away pretty chuffed. It’s the kind of spot where you can grab your smokes, browse the cigars, or sort out a hookah all under the one roof.

The hours here are a ripper for night owls. They open up at 8am Monday through Saturday, with Sunday kicking off a touch later at 9am. On Fridays and Saturdays they stay open right through till 2am, while the rest of the week they trade until midnight, and Sundays they wrap up at midnight too. So whether you’re after an early morning pick-me-up or a late-night run, there’s a good chance the lights are still on.

Reviewers have given a few shout-outs to the customer service, with one happy punter rapt about buying their hookah and reckoning the bloke who helped them was knowledgeable, patient and took the time to explain everything properly. The shop itself gets a tick too, with folks mentioning a fresh lick of paint and a cool fit-out, including a Camel decoration that one visitor liked so much they wanted to buy it. It’s described as an awesome corner store with a great vibe.

That said, it’s not all smooth sailing. A couple of visitors have grumbled about pricing on cigarettes feeling a bit inconsistent from one visit to the next. As with any busy shop, things can get hectic when there’s a crowd. Still, with its handy West End location, big spread of products and long trading hours, Petra 1 has clearly built up a fair following among the locals.