Boys back in town?
How to plan the ultimate Brisbane boys’ trip
Get the boys back together with a memorable Brisbane getaway. Here's how to keep everyone happy, and make the most of Queensland's year-round sunshine. Whether you're booking a bucks party or an overdue boys weekend in Brisbane - adventure, great food and nature awaits!
The great (outdoors) escape
Get outdoors a little closer to Brisbane City with a GoBoat. Pack beers, snacks and hop aboard your GoBoat to cruise along the Brisbane River at your leisure. And, jump on a go-kart at Kingston Park Raceway for an adrenaline-fuelled activity.
A poorly kept secret among Brisbane locals is that you don’t have to head for the coasts to go jet skiing while in town. In fact, Jet Ski Tours Brisbane takes its guests for a speedy ride on the Brisbane River as part of its jetski safaris. See the sights of Brisbane from a new angle on the back of a jetski.
If you and the boys are feeling particularly adventurous, and looking to get the heart rate going, Brisbane has experiences in all corners that are perfect for boys trips or bucks parties. Monthly Drifting sessions at Queensland Raceway lets you experience controlled chaos sideways in performance cars, while Subaru WRX rally experiences in Ipswich put you behind the wheel on proper rally stages. For ground-based combat, Skirmish courses across Brisbane deliver paintball warfare across purpose-built fields.
For true sports fans, get a behind-the-scenes tour at Suncorp Stadium, where sporting legends have created history on the field. Kangaroo Point Cliff rock climbing with Riverlife delivers actual climbing on natural rock faces with the city as your backdrop, while the Story Bridge Adventure Climb puts you on top of one of Brisbane's most iconic structures with 360-degree views, helping create lasting memories for your boys weekend.
If you’re a true planner, why not time your trip with a game at Suncorp Stadium or the Gabba, where you can take in the thrill of a live sports game followed by a trip to the nearby bars and restaurants of Milton and Woollongabba.
There are few experiences more relaxing than waking up directly on the beach. If your friends are outdoors enthusiasts, pack your tents and set up camp on North Stradbroke Island/ Minjerribah – or, make things easy and book yourself a pre-prepared camping site if you’re coming from interstate. There are plenty of adventures to be had on the island, and beaches to explore. For active crews, the Scenic Rim region is an ideal destination for mountain biking, exploring and getting back to nature. Or, head to Moreton Island/ Mulgumpin to sandboard on the towering dunes. And, why not pack your hiking boots and find the best mountains to climb around Brisbane.
Follow the flavour
Put beers and burgers on the agenda and explore Brisbane’s best brew houses, burger joints and casual eateries on your boys trip or bucks party in Brisbane.
Be it hangover-curing bucks party food, pre-game carb-loading, more sophisticated beer tastings, or a gourmet restaurant visit, there are adventures in flavour to be found across Brisbane.
Take a craft beer discovery trail throughout the city, and visit its many established and emerging breweries. From the small-scale independents to the larger much-loved breweries, Brisbane is dappled with great sites for enjoying beer.
Brisbane Breweries:
- Inner City - Range Brewing, Felon’s Brewing Co, Brisbane Brewing Co, Sea Legs Brewing Co, Stone & Wood Brewery Brisbane, Green Beacon, Brewdog
- Western Suburbs - Newstead Brewing, Patio
- Eastern Suburbs - Revel Brewing Co, Ballistic Beer Co, Brewdog DogTap, Bacchus Brewing Co.
- Southern Suburbs - Slipstream Brewing Company, Helios Brewing Company,
- Northern Suburbs – Aether Brewing, Happy Valley Brewing Company, Archer Brewing
Looking to learn more about beer? Take a brewery tour of the iconic XXXX Beer brewery in Milton to learn about Brisbane’s brewing history.
When your crew needs variety beyond breweries, Brisbane's bar scene delivers venues perfect for groups who can't agree whether the night calls for sports screens, cocktails or wine. The Star Sports Bar offers the best of both worlds, with huge screens playing spots all day and night, or head to venues like Fat Angel Sports Bar, Wing Haus and Story Bridge Hotel to get your fix of sport and beers.
Netherworld combines craft beer with retro arcade games and pinball machines and Frogs Hollow Saloon in the CBD serves drinks with character in a venue that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you and the squad are after a creative spin on beer, Tippler's Tap and Scratch Bar both offer extensive options you won’t find elsewhere.
Bar Brutus brings quality cocktails and natural wines for when the crew wants something beyond beer and The Gresham remains one of Brisbane's most beloved cocktail destinations: sophisticated enough to impress but relaxed enough that showing up in casual gear won't raise eyebrows.
Naturally, you’ll need to eat well on your boys trip in Brisbane. Might we suggest sampling the best in show from Brisbane’s best burger joints. In the centre of Fortitude Valley, in clandestine Winn Lane, lies Ben’s Burgers, where a choice of American-style burgers have been perfected – with strictly no alterations. For creative, piled-high burgers, it has to be Ze Pickle (in Camp Hill, Fortitude Valley and the Brisbane Airport). For post- or pre-game burgers near Suncorp Stadium – with a side of refreshing ale – try Brewski. For burgers, waffles, decadent drinks and desserts, try Hashtag Burgers and Waffles in Fortitude Valley. With a handful of locations across Brisbane, much-loved Getta Burger has a wide-ranging menu to suit all burger preferences. For fully loaded burgers, loaded fries and loads of flavour, Miss Kay’s is available in three Brisbane suburbs. For smashed patties charred on the grill, try Paddington’s Remy’s (where beer, burgers and breakfast are the orders of the day), or the multi-site Broken Hearts Burger Club.
For more foodie inspiration, discover Brisbane’s best restaurants, cafes and bars to add to your boys weekend or bucks party itinerary
If you and the crew are looking for something more refined, Brisbane's dining scene is perfectly suited to cater to groups of all sizes. Dark Shepherd at Queens Wharf brings contemporary dining with local ingredients, while The Fifty Six delivers quality steaks and shared plates perfect for groups who can't agree on individual dishes. Throughout Brisbane, The Pig & Whistle establishments offer gastropub excellence with beer selection to match, and Felons Barrel Hall at Howard Smith Wharves combines brewery-brewed beers with quality food and unbeatable riverside location.
Steak fans should hit Walters in The City, Fatcow on James Street or Rich + Rare in West End for exquisite cuts, while hôntô brings Japanese izakaya-style dining designed for sharing. Golden Avenue serves contemporary Middle Eastern flavours, and pizza crews can debate the merits of Little G, Etna, or Julius Pizzeria, all delivering quality pies worth the carb commitment.
Love the nightlife
Fed and watered? Time to discover Brisbane’s best nightlife offerings.
Kick off the evening with a comedy gig at Good Chat Comedy Club at Petrie Terrace, or nearby Paddington’s Sit Down Comedy Club, both of which are bound to bring the belly-aching chuckles, guffaws and roars of laughter to your boys’ trip.
Brisbane's live music scene punches above its weight with venues hosting local and international acts. The Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba brings intimate gigs in a heritage-listed venue, while The Tivoli in Fortitude Valley remains Brisbane's iconic music destination where legendary acts have played for decades.
Fortitude Music Hall delivers larger-scale concerts in a purpose-built space and The Triffid in Newstead showcases Australia's alternative music scene in an authentic warehouse-style venue. The Met Brisbane hosts club nights and late-night chaos where staying out until dawn seems like the only logical decision.
Oche Brisbane brings darts with electronic scoring and booth service, while MANIAX Axe Throwing in Newstead lets you hurl axes at wooden targets with trained staff ensuring nobody loses fingers. The Ballpark Portside combines American sports bar vibes with bowling lanes and pool tables, creating all-in-one entertainment without venue-hopping while Pincadia delivers retro arcade games and pinball alongside craft beer.
And, before you come, investigate what’s on in Brisbane to time your boys trip with a show, festival or fun-filled event.
Hit the hay
Whether you’re seeking a crash pad at the end of a big night, or a luxurious hotel in which to unwind, Brisbane has your choice of accommodation covered.
The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley - named in the top 50 hotels in the world - brings together leafy luxury, poolside bars, proximity to James Street's dining scene and bubbling nightlife, which is perfect for groups wanting style alongside convenience. Crystalbrook Vincent at Howard Smith Wharves positions you right on the river beneath the Story Bridge with some of Brisbane's best bars and restaurants literally on your doorstep. For city-center stays, The Westin Brisbane delivers signature Heavenly Beds, while W Brisbane brings bold contemporary style to the waterfront with facilities that make downtime between adventures feel indulgent.
Emporium Hotel South Bank offers rooftop pools and day spa facilities with spectacular views, which is ideal when recovery matters as much as proximity to the action. Hyatt Regency Brisbane sits above Queen Street Mall with a rooftop pool perfect for cooling off after hot Brisbane days, and Marriott Brisbane provides reliable four-star comfort that keeps you central to everything. Pullman Brisbane King George Square positions you right in the heart of The City with modern rooms and excellent transport connections, while Ibis Styles Brisbane delivers clean, comfortable rooms at prices that leave a budget for experiences rather than just accommodation.
For South Bank stays near the cultural precinct and riverside dining, Rydges South Bank offers solid comfort with easy access to parklands and Streets Beach. And if your crew prefers something edgier, Hotel X in Fortitude Valley puts you in the thick of the Valley's entertainment precinct. Queen's Wharf Residences offer apartment-style accommodation in the heart of Brisbane’s newest entertainment precinct.
Hungry for more adventure when you visit Brisbane? Try these top attractions while you’re in town.
