West End:
Nightlife
West End is one of Brisbane’s original suburbs and one that keeps growing and changing, evolving into a melting pot of culture that is beloved and celebrated by locals and visitors alike. The quirky, local style is diverse, alternative and vintage with the shops, restaurants and entertainment venues reflecting this eclectic atmosphere. Once farming land and then a prominent site for industry, West End now houses a popular dining and live music scene. An diverse mix of locally owned and run restaurants – Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese and more – means diners are spoilt for choice. And this goes for the bar scene as well.
Boundary Street
Boundary Street is the pulsing hub of West End with its high concentration of bars, pubs and cafes. From cocktails to craft beer, retro to modern, there's a bar to satisfy all needs.
Archive Beer Boutique has more than 80 craft beer varieties on tap with micro-breweries, Catchment Brewing Co. and Brisbane Brewing Co. just down the street.
Originally built in 1864, The Boundary Hotel has undergone a major facelift and is now a popular place to transition from afternoon to night. Combine live music and a great atmosphere with cold beers on tap, wine, cocktails and excellent woodfired pizzas and honestly, what more could you want?
If you’re looking for something a little less hoppy, Covent Garden is a gin specialty bar with more than 500 gins to choose from. Plus, it’s one of Brisbane’s few fully coeliac-friendly restaurants. If darker spirits are your thing, turn the corner onto Browning Street and whisky and cocktail bar Cobbler will provide many a tipple with a side of old-world class.
For live music, try The Bearded Lady, West Room or Loft West End.
Vulture Street
Vulture Street is dotted with nightlife gems. For drinks, try The End, Bosc or tiki-themed The Jungle Bar. A little further towards Hardgrave Rd, Bar Francine serves pescatarian bar snacks and natural and independent wine brands from its chic converted workers' cottage. Its next-door neighbour, West Side Pizza, dishes up casual Italian food and great wine in a chic Euro-style setting.
Montague Road
Montague Road has long been a popular daytime haunt but the stretch is now a must-visit spot for restaurants, bars and pubs.
Another of the suburb’s new residential and retail precincts, Montague Markets is located towards the West End CityCat terminal end of Montague Road. You can grab a casual bite at cult-follower Broken Hearts Burger Club or Wara Sushi or dine in at casual Italian joint Voglia.
If you’re looking for a pre or post-dinner drink, The Raven Hotel is just across the street in The Thomas Doxon Centre, the Heritage-listed home of Queensland Ballet. Venture down the road to West End favourite, The Montague Hotel, which serves up great food, beers on tap and live music seven nights a week or Ballistic West End Ale House and Kitchen which pours Ballistic Beer on tap and serves a menu packed with pub favourites.
La Lupa is one of West End’s hidden gems. This sleek pizzeria and bar pairs its extensive wine list with traditional Italian fare, making it a must-visit for lovers of good food and drink.
West Village
On the northern end of Boundary Street, West Village is a premium mixed-use residential and retail precinct that is buzzing with activity day and night. Its lush greenery, beautifully restored brick facades and modern fit-out have positioned it as one of West End’s most popular night spots.
You can dine in or grab a casual bite at a range of restaurants including Italian Street Kitchen and Yamas Greek + Dining as well as Betty’s Burgers and Cheeky Poke.
After dinner, visit Anita Gelato for a scoop (or two) and stroll the precinct, taking in the fairy lights, water features and public art installations which pop up throughout the forecourt.
Within West Village, you’ll also find contemporary arts organisation Metro Arts – its lobby, gallery and theatre are programmed with work from Australian artists throughout the year with tickets on sale at the Box Office or through its website.
Getting there
Unless you get in early, street parking can be tricky. West Village and Montague Markets both offer free two-hour parking but you may get lucky and snag a spot down a side street.
West End is easily accessible by public transport, with regular bus services from The City and surrounding suburbs. South Brisbane and South Bank railway stations are within walking distance of Boundary Street and the CityCat stops at Orleigh Park if you're up for a walk.
