Fortitude Valley:
Things to do
From the cranking of a coffee grinder to the doors closing on a nightclub; Fortitude Valley is the suburb that never sleeps. While Queensland's premier dedicated entertainment precinct is best known for its nightlife, there is plenty to do from dawn to dusk. From shopping the hip laneways and leafy streets to eating at a melting pot of restaurants and sipping lattes at the best cafes and coffee shops, check out our favourite things to do in Fortitude Valley.
Eat
Grab a damn fine coffee
Fortitude Valley’s coffee game is strong and it's easy to get your hands on a premium brew on almost every street. Get your fix at Reverend's, Bellissimo, Bare Beanz, Keep 15, and Bear Bones as you take on the suburb that never sleeps.
Treat yourself to a tasty pastry or two (or three)
On the topic of all things sweet, no trip to Fortitude Valley is complete without a crumb crawl where you get to try something flaky, gooey and decadent at Fortitude Valley’s iconic bakeries and patisseries. Visit Jocelyn’s Provisions, Sprout Artisan Bakery, Agnes Bakery or Brooki Bakehouse for sweet treats that will surely satisfy beyond your wildest dreams.
Head in early for brunch in Fortitude Valley
King Arthur, Harvey’s and The Green are our top picks located along the infamous James Street, serving up adventurous eats to kickstart your day in the best way. Head to The New Black for delicious classics with a Fortitude Valley twist, or for something sweet, Buttery Boy specialise in big, fluffy hotcakes with a sweet tooths dream in toppings.
Explore the incredible eats on James Street
You simply can’t miss the dining scene on James Street Calile Hotel when visiting Fortitude Valley. Dress up and be seen at fan favourites sAme sAme, Bianca, Sushi Room, SK Steak and Oyster and Hellenika. Or try some of the newcomers to the street, Fatcow and emme that are proving to be incredibly popular. For something a little more casual, pop across the road to Mediterranean-inspired Sunshine, where you can grab delicious vegetarian delicacies and enjoy either dine in or take away.
Swigging beers and sipping cocktails is way more fun sky-high
Cheers sky high as you rooftop bar hop through Cielo Rooftop, Soko, Iris Rooftop Bar, Maya Mexican and Valley Hops Brewing, catching the sun set behind the skyline and the city lights up. There’s no shortage of creative cocktails, craft beers and specialty spirits, and good times from up here.
Transport your tastebuds to another level
Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar is bringing a little slice of Hawaii to Fortitude Valley. Think dive bar meets tiki club with a focus on live music, uncomplicated drinks and an epic dance floor. Head to Latin America with Hey Chica! Here you can enjoy a memorable night out with the same raw energy and pulsating vibe of an eclectic neighbourhood street party.
Eat your way through Chinatown
The Chinatown Mall is a buzzing hive of restaurants and bars and most are BYO including fan favourite, Superbowl Chinese Restaurant. Stop by The Prince Cellars on the corner of Brunswick and Wickham streets for a drop before you dine.
Cocktail crawl
Whether your drink of choice is a classic negroni or espresso martini, or you prefer something more unique, Brisbane's longest-standing entertainment precinct is home to a legion of excellent cocktail bars. Pop by Savile Row, , Kazba Cocktail Bar, Finney Isles, Viscosity, Gerard's Bar, The Lodge Bar & Dining and The Nixon Room– don't just take our word for it, get sipping yourself.
Have a burger at Ben’s
Perfection shouldn't be messed with and for that reason, Ben's Burgers does not let customers make alterations to their burgers. Indulge in a burger that is simple, traditional and sublime.
Soak up the sun at Summa House
Covering two huge blocks on McLachlan St, Summa House is your new summer (or winter) playground. Made up of shipping containers and serving elevated pub classics, there's plenty of room for everyone to celebrate Brisbane’s sunshine.
Pretend you're in Italy and eat bowls of handmade pasta, pizza and gelato
Ciao, we’re off to Italy! Fortitude Valley is home to a tantalising variety of Italian-inspired venues. Book in a bite at Etna, Rosmarino, Ripiena, Mosconi or Gemelli. End on a sweet note at 13 Bees Gelato in Bakery Lane or check out more than 30 standard ice-cream flavours and rotating weekly specials at Gelato Messina.
Head in for a Sunday session at Sixes and Sevens
Sixes and Sevens is party central all weekend long. The huge courtyard spills out from a transformed cottage and offers the perfect spot to enjoy some tunes, sip spritzes and immerse yourself in the James Street vibe.
Shop
Shop your way along leafy James Street
A curated mix of more than 110 mid to high end and luxury specialty stores call this strip home including Bassike, Calexico, Lululemon, Bared Footwear and Natasha Schweitzer. Spend the day shopping up a storm, discovering flagship stores, Brisbane brands and designer boutiques. Read more in the Fortitude Valley shopping trail.
Find hidden gems
Fortitude Valley is home to much more than big brands and luxe labels; many small, local and surprising gems scatter the streets too. Keep your eyes peeled for the hidden fashion finds to be found in Fortitude Valley. Freshen up your home with a bunch of blooms from Helena Rose before heading to NUG General Store to pick up gorgeous homewares including mugs, vases and napkin sets. Refresh your wardrobe with new items by LJC Designs, and House of Ezis.
Spree with Me
Spree with Me tours are the perfect day out, with a glamorous city adventure focusing on all things fashion, styling, food and wine. If DIY isn’t your shopping style, book into a private shopping tour to help you find your new look with some of Brisbane’s best stylists.
Shop the laneways
Move over Melbourne – Brisbane’s strong list of hip laneways is ever-growing. Drop into Bakery Lane, California Lane or Winn Lane for burgers, arvo bevvies, boutique shopping and late-night eats.
Calling all stationery fans
Whether you’re heading to a new job, decking out your home office or looking for a gift, Stash World is every stationery lover’s dream. Shop for cute sticker sets, decorative washi tapes, magnets, pins, keyrings, totes and more.
Look cute on a budget
Thrifting and shopping second-hand is the perfect way to get more bang for your buck and reduce your eco-footprint. With Fortitude Valley favourites like Vinnies Fortitude Valley and Monty’s, it’s time to level up your op-shop game.
Get your new look
Fortitude Valley has a wide range of beauty salons to get ready for your next big event. For your hair refresh, visit Saburi Hair & Beauty, Edwards & Co or Lyla Clare. Turn your brows into a bold statement at The Brow Bar or Brooklyn Beauty Bar. Secure a booking at Endota Spa or Kailo at The Calile and you can complete the full self-care package.
Play
Catch a show in Fortitude Valley
There's always something new and eye-popping to see at Judith Wright Arts Centre, from circus and cabaret to dance, music and performance art. If music is more your thing, you’re sure to find some of your favourite artists soon hitting the stage at Fortitude Music Hall.
Go for a swim
The 50m outdoor, heated swimming Valley Pool is popular with elite swimmers and athletes as well as paddlers of all abilities. You might even bump shoulders with an Olympian!
Explore Fortitude Valley’s art scene
The Brisbane Greeters run bespoke tours across Brisbane. Select Fortitude Valley as your location and say you're interested in street art, then enjoy a three-hour tour exploring the stories and people behind murals in the area. While you’ve got your walking boots on, set off on a gallery crawl starting at the Institute of Modern Art before trekking to Jan Murphy Gallery, Mitchell Fine Art and Philip Bacon Galleries.
Go on a record store trail
Hop your way between Fortitude Valley's best vinyl shops. Get the wheel turning at Butter Beats Record Store then head to Catalog Music to pick up a new album.
Dance the night away
Every Thursday night, the downstairs dance area at Cloudland transforms into a Latin nightclub with a live band, dance lessons and free dance time late into the night. The Beat MegaClub has been around for more than 30 years, so shimmy on over for a groove on the dancefloor of Brisbane's biggest and oldest LGBTIQA+-friendly bar. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes when you get up to dance to some classic throwbacks at Retro’s, you won’t want to sit back down!
Don’t miss BIGSOUND
Fortitude Valley is Brisbane’s live music hub and each year we are treated to tonnes of gigs and festivals, including the annual BIGSOUND in September. With roots in Brisbane, BIGSOUND is a music festival and industry conference that shows serious up-and-coming talent to industry bigwigs and those smart enough to snag a ticket before they sell out.
Swing clubs at Holey Moley
Built in 1885, the old Presbyterian Church long ago farewelled religion and reopened as an 18-hole mini golf course and bar known as Holey Moley. This funky mini-golf spot lets you sink balls, drink beers and compete against friends on the themed holes. It’s loads of fun and sure to bring out your competitive side.
Climb some walls... literally
As the first indoor climbing gym in Brisbane, Rocksports is the obvious choice for climbers. So, chalk up your hands and limber up for indoor rock-climbing fun. Fun fact: they also arrange outdoor rock climbing for those inclined to hit the great outdoors.
Play games and sip pints
An old-school arcade games bar and diner, Netherworld is home to retro gaming relics that will transport you back in time. There are pinball machines, arcade machines, classic consoles and countless board games from the ‘70s to the present day. Head to Oche for darts with a difference — their gear looks and feels like the original, but there’s no arguing the score with their electronic dart boards.
Get down on event days
This bustling inner-city suburb has an event calendar you don't want to miss. Check out the My Valley website to find out what exciting events are coming up.
Stay
Spend a day at the Calile Hotel
This hotel is popular with the Instagram-savvy crowd for its aesthetically pleasing design and inner-city location. Grab a day pass and check into the Calile Hotel (Mondays to Thursdays) to access an Urban Room, sip cocktails by the pool and make use of the Friends of Calile discounts at selected boutiques in the James Street precinct. Hot tip: order the zucchini chips from the on-site restaurant Hellenika to accompany those poolside drinks.
Stay the night
Book an escape in one of the precinct’s many hotels. May we suggest the popular Sage Hotel James Street, romantic Hotel X, trendy The Constance or eclectic Ovolo the Valley as a spot to rest your head? You’ll certainly need the energy to get through all these fantastic things to do!
