Whether it’s whiskey or wine, Coors or cocktails that gets you going, you’re bound to find the perfect establishment for all your drinking needs in Brisvegas.
From the glittering rooftops to the graffiti-covered alleyways, Queensland’s cosmopolitan capital is serving up some of the best nighttime entertainment and intoxicating delights in Australia.
Get your drinkin’ boots on, cowboys, because here’s 13 of the best bars you can’t miss when going out in Brisbane.
Bitter Suite
Home to 7 tap beers, over 55 bottled beers, hearty made-from-scratch pub grub with a sophisticated twist, and all with a relaxed local vibe. As they say at Bitter Suite, ‘Life is Beer’ and we couldn’t agree more.
You’ll find them at:
75 Welsby St, New Farm
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30am – 11:00pm
Friday: 11:30am – 11:30pm
Saturday: 8am – 11:30pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall
Old time whiskey bar meets country hootenanny and grassroots music scene. Serving up Brisbane’s best live music with a side of burgers and beers. BYO guitar and laidback hipster attitude.
You’ll find them at:
15 Caxton Street, Brisbane
Opening hours:
Wednesday – Sunday: 5:00pm – 3:00am
Up to Brisbane’s rooftop #brisbane #brisbaneanyday #up A photo posted by Brad Mammino (@bpm2010) on
UP on Constance
Rooftop cocktails at its finest. Buzzing atmosphere, extensive menu of boutique cocktails [including the mouthwatering ‘Popcorn Thief’ with real popcorn garnish], and stunning views of the Valley. Get there early to grab a comfy seat and watch the lights of Brisbane sparkle in the twilight.
You’ll find them at:
20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours:
Thursday: 5:00pm – Midnight
Friday – Saturday: 4:00pm – 2:00am
Sunday: 5:00pm – Midnight
After work drinks at the Alfred & Constance precinct, always a solid choice #bneeats #brisbane pic.twitter.com/VSWGaqMZ3D
— Fox & B (@FoxandB) January 25, 2015
Alfred & Constance
How can you not love an establishment that has awesome tunes, cocktails in pineapples, tropical leis for everyone, and is right next door to the best pizza joint in town [as one local confided to me]? Not just content with setting up a stock standard bar, the A&C Team have a multiplex of nighttime entertainment all under the one umbrella, which includes a beer garden, restaurant, Tiki Bar, late night dessert café, alcoholic smoothie station, and even a new disco downstairs. If there’s a better place to party in Brisbane, then we haven’t found it yet.
You’ll find them at:
Corner of Alfred and Constance Streets, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 7am – late
A massive dose of cool as we check out Brisbane’s underground bars for @_GreatSouthEast #Greaser pic.twitter.com/EUzQ949ky8 — Jillian Whiting (@WhitingJillian) February 25, 2015
Greaser
Retro American-style diner meets basement dive bar hidden at the back of an alley. If Budweiser, burgers and blues are your idea of a good time, then this is your joint.
You’ll find them at:
259A Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours:
Wednesday – Friday: 5:00pm – late
Saturday – Sunday: 6:00pm – late
The coolest thing I’ve found in a long time. A little ukulele class outside @TheScratchBar . So serene. pic.twitter.com/AMbLv4EzAU
— Jonathan Lea (@JonathanLea10) June 21, 2015
The Scratch
Craft beer enthusiasts will love this refreshingly modest hole in the wall, where beer reigns as king and pretentious bullsh*t is forbidden. You won’t find greasy pub grub here, just cheese boards and alcoholic ice cream spiders and milkshakes [a surprising but unique combination], or take advantage of their BYO food policy. Check out their website for today’s brews on tap.
You’ll find them at:
8/1 Park Road, Milton
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12:00pm – 12:00am
There’s a man in my tequila!!! #tequila#shot#patron#hank#buffalobar#brisbane#city#cool#dri… http://t.co/3txpjIDQep pic.twitter.com/7il6qChf2L — Pics from Brisbane (@InstaBrisbane) February 24, 2015
Buffalo Bar
Specialising in American craft beers and food. Frat Night Wednesdays are a must for lovers of the American college culture, with wing-eating challenges, beer pong, red cups, pumping tunes, and [no doubt] some drunken students ready to party. It’s a piece of the USA in Brisvegas.
You’ll find them at:
169 Mary Street, Brisbane
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12:00pm – late
Photo: My favourite Brisbane bar. (at Elixir Rooftop Bar) http://t.co/w1qjLvmQSr
— Joel (@devereuxxo) January 2, 2015
Elixir Rooftop
A hidden gem above one of the city’s busiest streets, Elixir is guaranteed to make those mid-week blues melt away. Looking over the nearby Chinatown precinct and drawing inspiration from Chinese folklore, this exclusive rooftop paradise serves up delicious cocktails and even tastier tunes.
You’ll find them at:
646 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours:
Wednesday – Friday: 4:00pm – late Saturday – Sunday: 1:00pm – late
Treat yourself on this chilly Monday with ‘Classic Buffalo Wings & Blue Cheese Dip!’ #IceworksPaddington #IceworksBar #BuffaloWings #BrisbaneFood #BrisbaneDrinks #BrisbaneBar #Foodie #Yummy #HappyMonday #FoodLover A photo posted by Iceworks Paddington (@iceworkspaddington) on
Iceworks
Up-market version of a good ol’ local bar with some modern and urban twists. Stylish décor, lounge bar and awesome pub food served with a smile. The perfect place to catch up with mates, watch a game, and have a few beers without any fuss.
You’ll find them at:
Corner of Given Terrace and Dowse Street, Paddington
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10:00am – late
Sixes & Sevens
The name may be a British idiom to describe confusion, but the only thing that will perplex you at this funky establishment is which cocktail to order first. Sixes & Sevens is all about the laid-back, communal culture of drinking and is perfectly complimented by a rustic backdrop that feels like hanging out at a rich (but slightly eccentric) friend’s home, complete with astro turf. Cool just doesn’t do it justice.
You’ll find them at:
67 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11:00am – Midnight
Cobbler
Understated urban bar in Brisbane’s funky West End with over 150 whiskeys on offer. The crowd is laid back, the atmosphere is unpretentious, and the staff knows their shiz. Definitely worth a look if you’re a whiskey aficionado or lover of inventive cocktails.
You’ll find them at:
7 Browning Street, West End
Opening hours:
Monday: 5:00pm – midnight
Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00pm – midnight
Friday: 12:00pm – midnight.
Saturday: 3:00pm – midnight
Sunday: 4:00pm – midnight
The End
Hipster hot spot complete with all the urban bohemian trademarks: vintage furniture, dim lighting, records spinning, boutique beers, signature cocktails, and bearded men. Worth a visit for the extensive range of spirits alone.
You’ll find them at:
73 Vulture Street, West End
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 3:00pm – late
Wooly Mammoth Alehouse
Top headlining music acts and frosty beers collide hard at this banging entertainment venue that is taking the Valley’s live music scene by storm. Big name indie artists on the gig list, international touring artists, tap and craft beers, mouth-watering menu, indoor bocce, giant Jenga and a giant shuffleboard table, all spread across three impressive spaces…what more could a muso/beer lover ask for in a pub?
You’ll find them at:
633 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00pm – late
Friday – Sunday: 12:00pm – late
(Feature image: Rae Allen)
