The city:
Things to do on a rainy day
Museum of Brisbane, CBD
The odds are pretty good that you won’t get caught out in the rain in sunny Brisbane. But on the off chance you’re looking for things to do in The City with less-than-perfect weather we’ve rounded up a bunch of great indoor activities for every interest and budget.
01. Feed your comfort cravings
We all tend to crave a bit of comfort food on a rainy day, and The City is packed with some of the best options. Few things are as hearty as Italian food so head to Persone in Brisbane Quarter for a red wine and share plates, or Corbett and Claude for hand-stretched pizza. Black Hide By Gambaro at Treasury Brisbane is the place to go for an extensive selection of world-class steaks or order some satisfying pub grub and watch sports at Fat Angel or Winghaus. For other options that are kind on the wallet check out our list of best cheap eats in The City.
02. See a film
Popcorn, frozen coke and a movie at Event Cinemas in Uptown is enough to make you forget about the miserable weather outside. Check out the Event Cinemas website to see what's playing. For a more opulent experience, head to the Elizabeth Picture Theatre. Housed in a heritage-listed building with five screens, two bars and ornate foyer spaces plus three ‘Royal Rooms’ with full food and beverage service and luxurious reclining armchairs, it’s the perfect place to settle in on a rainy day.
Museum of Brisbane, CBD
03. Head to museums and galleries
There's plenty to see and do inside Brisbane City Hall. Head to the Museum of Brisbane on Level 3 and check out one of the latest exhibitions or take a guided tour of City Hall. For other must-see museums in The City see our list here.
Brisbane Arcade, CBD
04. Hit the mall
Queen Street Mall is home to more than 500 stores. Yes, that may sound a little daunting but follow our comprehensive guide to shopping in Queen Street Mall and you won't get lost. If you’re looking for luxury and keen to splash some cash (rather than splashing in the rain), we’ve got you covered with our guide to luxury shopping in Brisbane City.
05. Aim for strikes and a hole in one
After a quick bite to eat from Grill'd, head across the way to Strike Bowling Bar for a round of bowling with friends. Strike hosts laser tag battles and it also offers escape rooms and karaoke so you’ll be set for an entire rainy day (or week). If golf is more your thing, head to Holey Moley at The Wintergarden where you can stay dry and putt your way through the 18-hole mini-golf course and bar.
06. Sing the rain away
Speaking of karaoke, belt out your favourites at one of The City's karaoke spots. Fat Louie's, Strike Bowling Bar and Music City offer private karaoke rooms so you don’t need to worry about being pitch perfect. Take it up a notch with a group of friends and hire a private karaoke room at The Palace Lounge with full bottle service and beverage packages.
07. Get bookish
There's nothing like curling up with a good book on a rainy day, and The City is home to some excellent bookstores. Visit Dymocks on Queen Street Mall and explore its extensive collection on just about any topic imaginable or QBD in Uptown. For that special find, head to Archives on Charlotte St, one of the largest second-hand bookstores in the world.
Pulp Fiction in the Ferguson Building Arcade on Adelaide St is a specialist bookshop for all things science fiction, fantasy, crime and mystery and Comics Etc on Elizabeth St is Brisbane’s premiere comic book retailer with an unrivalled selection of comics, paperbacks, collectables and more.
Curl up in a quiet, cosy and dry spot at Brisbane Square Library on George St and read or borrow a book, magazine or newspaper.
Inchcolm Hotel, CBD
08. High tea
From quaint to ritzy, The City is home to a fine variety of high tea venues perfect for sipping away the day. For the more traditional high tea, try the elegant Customs House, the beloved Room with Roses or the delightful Shingle Inn City Hall. Many of The City's hotel restaurants also offer high tea, including the Stamford Plaza, W Hotel, the Hyatt Regency and the Treasury Heritage Hotel. Read our guide to high tea in The City!
09. Book a pamper
Don't let the miserable weather get you down, make the most of it and pamper yourself. Book a fresh cut, blow dry or style at Elysium Hair, Toni & Guy, Oscar Oscar or Urban Hair Loft or treat yourself to a facial, manicure and pedicure at Stephanie’s Spa in the Sofitel. Finish with a relaxing massage at the W Brisbane Spa or Aquarius Health & Medispa for complete relaxation.
Brew, Burnett Lane
10. Check out The City's laneways
The City's laneways are a treasure trove of hidden gems. Highlights include coffee hideout Brew down Lower Burnett Lane, hip café John Mills Himself, and industrial-cool Alba Bar with bar bites in Burnett Lane. There's also this epic laneway bar crawl to follow through Burnett Lane.
11. See live music
If it’s still looking bleak and bleary as the sun sets, why not kick on and see some live music. Brooklyn Standard hosts cracking live music nightly with a packed roster of bands from all genres including rock and roll, funk, soul, rockabilly, RnB. The Doo-Bop Bar located in the original Youngs Building warehouse precinct has live blues, funk, soul and jazz on stage every Tuesday to Saturday, and City Sounds brings free live music in The City every week.
12. Drink the day away
Kick back at one of Brisbane City's many bars and enjoy the sound of the rain with a drink in hand. The Gresham features a range of whiskies, high ceilings and chesterfield lounges that ooze old-world charm. If you like a burger with your drink, pop next door to Red Hook in Gresham Lane for a selection of cocktails and both American and Australian beer and wine. Before + After is a cosy basement bar dedicated to before and after meal drinking – aperitivo and digestivo – or there’s the modern age saloon Frog’s Hollow that’s all about good times. If you'd like somewhere sleeker with cosy corners, drop into the underground Boom Boom Room, Death & Taxes, Dr Gimlette or Miss Demeanour for a cocktail or two.
