Brisbane City bars:
From rooftop to riverside
Behind heritage facades, above busy streets and high above The City skyline, Brisbane City's bar scene reveals itself in all sorts of ways. The real challenge isn't finding somewhere for a drink, it's deciding where the night begins. Wherever your tastes lie, these are the venues shaping some of Brisbane's most memorable nights out.
Rooftop bars
Raise a toast to endless City views and year-round sunshine with a front-row seat to Brisbane’s skyline at one of the many rooftop bars in The City.
Hibiscus Room
Cocktails, bites and rooftop delights? You’ll find them at the Hibiscus Room. Located atop Hyatt Regency Brisbane, this sun-soaked rooftop is made for lingering over drinks with Queen Street Mall bustling below. Order from a cocktail list packed with signature creations and classics, pair it with share plates and produce-inspired bites, then pull up a seat along the terrace edge and watch the sunshine shift to The City lights.
Sixteen Antlers
Perched atop the Pullman Brisbane King George Square Hotel, Sixteen Antlers, pairs sunset and skyline scenes with cushioned booths, grazing boards and tapas to share with your ‘deerest’. Behind the bar, craft beer and fine wine are an easy choice, or take your pick from the specialty cocktail menu – where house favourites may just intrduce you to your new favourite drink!
WET Deck
The five-star W Brisbane hotel is all about celebrating The City’s cosmopolitan energy and sun-soaked lifestyle. The WET Deck is an oasis in the sky for poolside afternoons and rooftop cocktails complete with a zebra-like striped roof, and DJs playing long into the night. Best enjoyed alongside the seasonal menu while soaking up epic views over the Brisbane River.
Riverside Bars
With the Brisbane River winding around the heart of The City, it's no surprise some of its best bars come with a waterside view. Here's where to settle in beside the river.
Bar Pacino
Bar Pacino offers some of Brisbane’s most impressive views s of the iconic Brisbane River and Story Bridge. By day, it's a picture-perfect spot to settle in beside the water, seamlessly flowing into the evening as champagne and cocktails arrive at the table and grazing platters piled with Italian-inspired bites are shared against a backdrop of glittering bridge views. Sounds like the perfect spot for a fabulous Friday night or a sunlit Sunday afternoon.
Riverbar & Kitchen
Right on the river's edge, Riverbar & Kitchen stretches along one of Brisbane's most vibrant sections of waterfront. With people walking or riding along the path, CityCats passing by on the river and iconic bridges in view, it's an easy spot to lose a few hours over fresh local produce, cocktails, wine and beer.
Riverland
Pick up a pinot or a pint from Riverland’s three-level deck before soaking up the river frontage. The Brisbane River isn't the only thing flowing here, with cocktails, wines and beers keeping glasses full while pub classics bring plenty of vibrant flavour to the table.
Venture down the alleyway off Queen Street Mall to find Brew Café and Wine Bar. Part café, part wine bar and entirely tucked away from the pace of The City, this bunker-like haunt is as suited to a leisurely lunch as it is an impromptu afternoon drink.
Brooklyn Standard
Enjoy a slice of Brooklyn cool at this speak-easy, live music venue Brooklyn Standard. Located underground on Eagle Lane, Brooklyn Standard hosts live music, specialising in jazz, funk, and blues. Of course, the music complements the well-stocked bar of whiskey and classic cocktails to take you into the night.
Death & Taxes
Found in Brisbane's oldest laneway, Burnett Lane, Death & Taxes brings a touch of London and Paris after dark to the heart of The City. Inside, you'll find an extensive signature cocktail menu, a carefully curated wine list and craft beers, all served with equal attention to detail.
Frogs Hollow Saloon
Picture old wine barrels, a wagon wheel suspended from the ceiling, saddles slung over bar stools, cowboy hats behind the bar and loud country music and you’ve got a good feel for Frogs Hollow Saloon. This Charlotte Street hidden gem is all about whisky, with a beautifully curated selection that shines a spotlight on indie bottlings.
Miss Demeanour
There’s always something happening at Miss Demeanour! Hidden beneath Rowes Lane, follow the sounds of live music and discover lists of food and cocktail specials will unfold, including their famous long lunch if you’re there on a Saturday.
Bar 1603
Step into the world of Bar 1603, where a modern speakeasy ambiance awaits, celebrating local beer, wine, and cocktails with a unique Japanese and local twist.
Milquetoast
Tucked beneath street level on an Elizabeth Street laneway, Milquetoast is a cosy- low-lit hideaway made for winding down. This warm and relaxed spot is all about quality from the moment you step inside - come for the drinks and stay for the quality eats and inviting atmosphere.
Trove Cocktail Bar
For cocktails with a distinctly Australian twist, make a beeline for Trove Cocktail Bar just above Irish Murphy’s. Native botanicals inspire the drinks menu, resulting in colourful concoctions that showcase flavours from across the country. Pair your drink with a selection of share plates and settle into one of The City’s more discreet watering holes.
Cocktail bars
Planning a fancy night out? You can’t say no to a cocktail trail in The City!
Dr Gimlette
Inspired by the famous Gimlette cocktail, it makes sense for Dr Gimlette to shake and stir some of the finest cocktails in Brisbane. Tucked away on Edward Street, this sleek spot features two martini carts serving a range of customisable pours with a range of garnishes, gins, and styles to choose from. Not a cocktail drinker? There’s also beer, wine and a collection of more than 800 spirits, aperitifs, and liqueurs to keep everyone happy.
The Gresham
Whisky and bourbon lovers will feel right at home at The Gresham. Leaning into their speciality, most cocktails are whiskey-based, though there’s something for every palate. This heritage-listed venue in Queen Street laneway, pairs its grand interiors and old-world charm with one of The City’s most impressive whiskey collections for a nightcap somewhere different.
Antico
Spritz season is all year round at Antico. Stroll down Burnett Lane for Mediterranean-inspired cocktails that feel right at home in Brisbane's subtropical climate. Whether you're loyal to a classic or tempted by something a little less familiar, the handcrafted drinks menu is designed to keep the good times rolling long after the first round.
Sports bars
If your ideal night out involves a brew in hand and a big game, The City has a bleacher full of sports bars to keep you cheering all night long.
Fat Angel
With the tagline of ‘American Sports and Party Bar’, Fat Angel Sports Bar sure knows how to throw a sports party! Known for its unrivalled coverage of sports from across the planet, it features eight massive screens, broadcasting everything from NFL, NHL, MLB, rugby league, cricket, soccer and more. If your sporting tastes are a little less mainstream, enquire with the Fat Angel team and they may be able to clutch a win for you.
Queens Wharf
Big games call for big screens and Queen’s Wharf Sports Bar delivers. With two 12-metre LED screens and stadium-like sound, it feels like you’re right in the action. Add in pub-style bites, cold beers and cocktails, and you’ve got everything you need to cheer your team on until the final whistle.
Embassy Hotel
Embassy Hotel has been part of Brisbane City since 1928, with loyal fans for the cold beers, hearty pub fare and game-day energy. The rotating tap list keeps craft beer lovers on their toes as does the menu of bar snacks and burgers, while live sport and the New York-inspired interiors make game day all the more enjoyable.
Open-air bars
Love a side of fresh air with your favourite wine? The City’s alfresco bars will have you basking in the Brisbane sunshine until you’re ready to call it a day.
Jimmy’s On the Mall
If you’re spending a day shopping on Queen Street Mall, be sure to stop by the iconic Jimmy’s On The Mall. Right in the heart of the action, this long- standing outdoor venue puts you front and centre for the buzz of one of Australia’s busiest pedestrian malls. It’s the perfect spot to sip on a drink and enjoy a little people-watching. Choose your vantage point: Asian-inspired share plates served amongst the energy of the mall on the Lower Deck, or burgers, pizzas and drinks upstairs.
Stock Exchange
Lovingly known by locals as ‘Stockies’, the Stock Exchange Hotel is one of The City’s most popular pubs. Fairy lights and flowing beverages are familiar sights on the rooftop, which sits above the bustle of Brisbane City. Enjoy your beer, wine, or cocktail with a mouth-watering selection of Aussie pub classics, while watching The City hustle and bustle pass by.
Babylon
Overlooking the Brisbane River, Babylon pairs Mediterranean-inspired cocktails and bar snacks with one of The City's most enviable outdoor settings. Cascading across three levels of bars, terraces and dining spaces, there's always a new corner to discover. Gather a group, order a round, vibe to the DJs soundtrack and let the river do the rest.
Sky Deck
High above the Brisbane River, Sky Deck brings together three beautiful venues, all sharing the same spectacular outlook from Queen's Wharf. Cicada Blu is where sunset drinks and live music go hand in hand, while Babblers keeps things casual with all-day dining. For something a little more elevated, Aloria pairs panoramic views with a menu centred around woodfire and charcoal cooking.
