Caxton Street, Milton & Paddington:
Pub crawl
As far as pub crawl locations go, you’d be hard pressed to find a grander option than Caxton Street in Brisbane’s inner-city locale of Paddington with an array of gastropubs, bars, drinking dens and cocktail lounges lined along its leafy length. And why stop when you reach the end of Caxton Street? Push on, party people, and let your fun flag fly all the way up Latrobe Terrace in Paddington.
Lefty’s Music Hall
What: Bringing an Americana vibe to Brisbane suburbia, Lefty’s is a honky-tonk hall complete with burgers, beers and bar snacks that revived ye olde Baroona Labor Hall.
Where: 15 Caxton Street
Why visit: It's a Yankee-doodle-dandy spot to enjoy Americana food, music and good times.
Drink this: The signature whisky apple cocktail. Yee-haw!
Insider tip: A swag of big names and up-and-coming musicians play here weekly – check out who’s on and purchase your tickets for a top night out.
The Lord Alfred
What: The Lord Alfred Hotel has been a Brisbane institution for more than 155 years. There’s multiple bars over two levels, a brasserie for early morning coffee and an in-house kitchen so you can sate those hunger pangs.
Where: 68 Petrie Terrace
Why visit: Drinks, food, live music, sport on the big screen – we could go on all day!
Drink this: Grab yourself a jug of draught and share it with a mate – pub style.
Insider tip: Choose a Suncorp Stadium event night to have a bevvy on the upstairs balcony and watch the passing street parade below.
The Paddo
What: The Paddington Tavern, affectionately known as ‘the Paddo’, is a sprawling ode to good times. It has a huge saloon-style bar, grill and the Sit Down Comedy Club.
Where: 186 Given Terrace
Why visit: Happy hour is a great place to start (4-6pm daily) and the vortex of fun will pull you in from there.
Drink this: The traditional Paddo beverage is a Bundy rum and coke.
Insider tip: Make friends with some of the regulars. You’ll find them belting out some Rat Pack classics and ripping up the dancefloor on Open Mic Nights on Tuesdays.
The Caxton Hotel
What: The Caxton is one of Brisbane’s oldest and most revered drinking holes. Open since 1864, this pub has been a mainstay in the lives of Brisbanites for generations.
Where: 38 Caxton Street
Why visit: The Caxton is Suncorp Stadium's smaller sibling. Sure, you have to watch the games on a screen, but trust us, watch a game here with a few hundred of your closest mates and rivals and you’ll feel like you're in the thick of it.
Drink this: XXXX Gold or Betoota Bitter on tap – pace yourself!
Insider tip: On big game nights, The Caxton opens its carpark as an additional bar. It’s the ultimate pre- and post-game location with that spontaneous party feel – tinnies and all.
Darling and Co
What: A stunning venue with a beautiful restaurant, buzzing bar and multiple function spaces.
Where: 157 Given Terrace, corner of Dowse Street
Why visit: Sip a pretty cocktail in one of Brisbane’s prettiest venues surrounded by Paddington's prettiest people.
Drink this: Frosé, of course!
Insider tip: Make your Saturday and Sunday soirees linger into lunch with limitless bellinis as part of the Darling & Co’s Weekend Bottomless Brunch.
Hope and Anchor
What: A gastropub in a charming cottage with a comprehensive wine list and a small but delicious bar food menu that’s open from breakfast until late.
Where: 267 Given Terrace
Why visit: Dubbed the ‘best little boozer in Paddington’, Hope and Anchor is housed in a charming cottage like other homes in the area. Grab a glass of wine and nab a spot at the bar, you’ve now made it to your final pub crawl destination.
Drink this: A warming glass of red in warm company.
Insider tip: Drop in for Hope and Anchor Sunday Sessions from 3pm with live music and food and drink specials to toast the weekend that was.
Brewski
What: A craft beer-filled, street art-covered, burger-infused funhouse open seven days a week.
Where: 22 Caxton Street
Why visit: Most bars stock their favourite boutique beer; some might even have two options. These guys have more than 600 craft beers in bottles and cans and 12 on tap sourced from local, national and international boutique breweries.
Drink this: Something brewed in Brisbane, of course!
Insider tip: Brewski has its own bottleshop, located under the brewpub via the Judge Street entrance off Caxton Street that’s open daily for takeaways.
Newstead Brewing
What: A cafe by day and twinkling lounge at twilight, this eatery and bar specialises in share plates using local produce and delectable breakfasts.
Where: 67 Castlemaine Street
Why visit: Part pub, part brewery with heaps of indoor and outdoor dining.
Drink this: One of Newstead Brewing’s original brews
Insider tip: Game days are huge here so get in early, grab a table and enjoy some snacks a a local brew before the big game.
