Ultimate Guide:
Brisbane's best cocktail bars
Inchcolm Restaurant, Brisbane City
Like Brisbane itself, the river city’s cocktail scene has bloomed in recent years. Mixology is serious business and Brisbane is home some of the best in the business. Cool confidence is the order of the day, with cocktail connoisseurs mixing up their ingredients and exploring more adventurous combinations and twists on the classics. Here’s a tried-and-tested selection of where to whet your whistle – you'll thank us later!
Brisbane City
The Gresham
This heritage-listed bar and inner-city institution has taken out a swagger of awards and is best known for its wide selection of whisky. Order a famed Sunnyboy and they’ll immediately know that you mean business.
Super Whatnot
Dance down Burnett Lane and slip inside this hidden gem for some super twists on the classics, including a passionfruit infused Umeshu Spritz and Yuzu Margarita with a Gochugaru salt rim.
Dr. Gimlette
A visit to the doctor has never been more fun! Nestled in one of Brisbane’s most beautiful heritage buildings, Dr Gimlette’s playful menu of ‘Antidotes & Remedies’ delivers history and histrionics in equal measure.
Brooklyn Standard
Unwind in Brisbane City's iconic speakeasy to the tune of crooning live music and NYC-style eats. The Brooklyn Party Punch frozen pina colada is a crowd favourite, but really, every cocktail is a party.
Mr Percival’s
Mr Percival’s overwater bar has a to-die-for view and cocktail list to match. Situated directly beneath the majestic Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves, Mr Percival’s takes cues from Europe’s most iconic beach clubs, making it feel (and taste!) like summer all year round. Fittingly, it’s the Spritz menu the leads the cocktail list, including the Venetian Aperol twist and a Limoncello spritz with lemon and Kaffir lime.
Fortitude Valley
Savile Row
Venture beyond the iconic orange door and through the black curtain and be transported to Savile Row: a tribute to the famed central London strip known for its exquisite tailoring. The perfect spot for an intimate rendezvous or late-night tipple, this five-level haunt delivers five-star service and a cocktail list to match.
LOS Bar
The Calile is home to some of Brisbane’s top restaurants and this rooftop cocktail bar more than holds its own. Located above popular street-style Thai restaurant sAme sAme, LOS offers an expansive list of Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails and more than 100 different tequilas.
Gerard’s Bar
Gerard’s Bar is befitting of its high street location, with a sophisticated menu that mixes small-batch artisan spirits and luxe international brands. Supercharge your James St shopping experience with a Gerard’s Expresso, combining Absolut vodka, cardamom, orgeat, fresh coffee and wattleseed.
Dutch Courage Officers’ Mess
This multi award-winning plantation-style bar is Queensland’s original gin bar, boasting more than 140 different types of gin. Overwhelmed by the choice? Fear not – Dutch Courage’s Gin Therapy tasting events will help you narrow down your personal preferences.
Soko
Soko delivers a truly unique rooftop experience, blending Amazonian and Japanese influences and an impressive Pisco Sours menu. Choose from six different Pisco bases and make your way through a dozen flavour combinations, including Mango & Togarashi Watermelon, Melon & Wasabi and Lychee & Vanilla.
South Bank & West End
Blink and you’ll miss this 10-seater bar off Fish Lane. A 7.5m-long oxidised brass bar commands the space where mixologists offer a refined menu plus bespoke orders using local ingredients and handmade liqueurs.
Bar Brutus
This Italian-style aperitivo bar in South Brisbane’s Fish Lane is a popular late-night hangout for the city’s cool hunters. A sibling venue to the adjacent Julius Pizza, nab a stool at the eight-seater bar or hang in the bar’s alfresco area and sip on a selection of spritzes and Italian-influenced cocktails.
Lychee Lounge
This Boundary Street mainstay serves up a great drink in its cosy surrounds. Try the Rosemary Fairy, with Green Fairy Absinthe, apple liqueur, fresh-pressed apple juice, lime and rosemary.
The End
Located at the former site of West End’s beloved Trash Video VHS store, The End combines vintage furniture and old-school surf videos to create a cosy hideaway just moments from West End’s bustling Boundary Street. Like Trash Video, the cocktail menu here is eclectic and surprising with a ‘dealer’s choice’ style approach.
Beyond the inner-city
Canvas
This small bar has a speakeasy vibe, street-art adorned walls and a pop culture infused cocktail list to rival any. Don’t hesitate to order The Inferno, which combines Tanqueray gin, Pampero white rum, brandy and maple butter for a rich and fruity finish.
Byblos
This Mediterranean-influenced riverside restaurant and bar is the crowning jewel at Portside in Brisbane’s inner-north. Named after the ancient city of Lebanon, Byblos’s rich cultural heritage and adventurous spirit permeates the cocktail menu that it laden with exotic fruit flavours and flair.
Purple Palm
Woolloongabba’s vibrant new lifestyle precinct South City Square is home to some of Brisbane’s best restaurants and bars, including the Palm Springs-inspired Purple Palm. The 60-seat open-air oasis takes a quality-over-quantity approach to its cocktail list, using only premium Australian handcrafted spirits.
Melrose
Melrose is the place to be for Bulimba and Hawthorne locals. Complementing the Indonesian and Thai inspired eats menu, the cocktail list brings plenty of colour and heat with the likes of Hibiscus infused Tequila, Tom-Yum infused rum and 5-spice apple syrup creating unique and authentic flavour combinations.
