The Best Bars in Brisbane’s Nightlife
Brisbane nightlife reflects its diverse population; from intimate laneway bars to rowdy dancefloors in Fortitude Valley, there’s something to suit everyone in its nightlife scene.
Midtown is a brand new addition to the scene, featuring heavy metal music in an inclusive space that caters for local and international bands alike. Keep an eye out for Midtown!
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The Tiffid
The Tiffid is named for SS Walrus, a floating distillery which trawled Logan River during the 19th century. Today it serves as a prohibition-era speakeasy-style bar featuring exposed brick walls, rum crates, candelabras and candelabras; with its expansive patio offering breathtaking riverside views. Locals flock here for craft cocktails served on its expansive bartop and spacious patio area.
Hey Chica is one of the Valley’s newest bars, providing customers with an energetic neighborhood street party ambience and Mexican-inspired tacos. Its sprawling four-level design includes interior waterfalls, plants cascading over walls, retractable roof and an exquisite bar chandelier made up of 19,000 crystal balls – an experience not to be missed!
Ric’s is another three-room venue offering live jazz before DJs blast dance tunes later on in the night. Plus, there’s even a secret bar hidden up in the rafters where guests can enjoy drinks and snacks until 3 a.m.
Netherworld
Geek culture continues to mainstream itself and Nerdy bars are popping up across Australia. Brisbane’s Netherworld, offering bar, diner and machine-packed arcade combined, has quickly become a hub for gamers out on the town.
Customers are welcomed by a large floodlight located across from an well-lit parking lot that directs them towards the haunted house. When they arrive at their destination, a huge sign containing information that provides everything from where to park to scanning a QR code to purchase tickets online.
Once inside, guests are welcomed with a huge room filled with pinball machines and arcade games (Frogger, NBA Jam, Centipede Street Fighter etc) that only cost one dollar each to play. There’s also the Hellmouth Diner serving an extensive menu featuring vegan offerings; an additional stage with pull-down screen promises live gigs in the near future!
Eleven Rooftop Bar
Experience elegant River City views at this eleventh-floor bar! Stop in for lunch, sunset and nightlife until it shifts into nightlife mode with bottle service from an experienced team that has worked in numerous other dining spaces around town. Expect an extensive cocktail list and bottle service menu.
Eleven Rooftop Bar is Jason Coats’ latest endeavor; with previous successes such as Gerties, Il Molo, Olivetto’s, the Jetty South Bank and Emporium Hotel as his credentials. Fit-out is constructed using natural materials which accentuate his signature style.
Brisbane’s latest rooftop oasis, this open-air oasis provides a summery ambiance. Lounge in rattan chairs or poolside under frangipani trees while sampling lobster rolls or flank steak from the restaurant menu – or head upstairs to join their DJ-driven party!
The Beat
Brisbane’s nightlife offers plenty of variety. Down Eagle Lane, for instance, you can find cocktails inspired by speakeasy-style gin joints and roaring ’20s gangster haunts in Brooklyn Standard’s dimly lit brick cellar – or take part in award-winning live music performances including funk, mariachi, rock and roll and other genres from local bands that keep the dancefloor going until late into the night!
At times, top 40 dance beats may become monotonous. When this occurs, London offers some refreshing alternatives such as Cloudland: an incredible megaclub that transports you back to The Great Gatsby complete with indoor waterfalls, vine-covered walls and crystal chandeliers comprising 19,000 glass balls! Or cosy up in one of Hey Chica!’s booths for some irresistible cocktails accompanied by an irresistibly fun dance vibe.
Ric’s is an established live music bar, popular with those looking for a casual dinner and jazzy acoustic session during the week and massive party hits on Saturday nights. Within walking distance is also X Cargo – an endless multilevel playground of beer lovers with hidden corners decorated with street art, rooftop terraces connected by bridges, and numerous rooftop vistas to choose from.
