Winter hideaway bars in Brisbane

It may be cool outside, but Brisbane’s hidden bars know exactly how to turn up the heat! From laneway gems and underground drinking hideouts to intimate wine bars and cocktail spots, there's no shortage of places to enjoy your favourite winter pour in Brisbane.

In this article:
In this article:

Inner City

Antico, Burnett Lane

A taste of Italy awaits down Burnett Lane at Antico. This three level Italian-inspired cocktail bar is the perfect spot for a quick aperitivo or a few. Grab a booth or gather around the bar and sip your way through a menu of classic cocktails and signature creations – adding a little warmth to your winters evening.

Brew, Brisbane City

Burnett Lane, Brisbane's oldest laneway, is home to Brew. By day, it keeps the lane fuelled with coffee and breakfast. Come evening, the focus turns to wine, beer, cocktails and tapas as The City lights up around.

Death & Taxes, Brisbane City

Why not bar hop down Burnett Lane! Discover Death & Taxes, a heritage bunker-style venue inspired by the underground bars of Paris and London. Inside, a grand back bar showcasing more than 1,000 spirit bottles set the moody scene, complemented by an extensive cocktail menu, curated wine list and craft beer selection.

Brooklyn Standard Interior Bar
Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane City

Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane City

Follow the sound of music underground on Eagle Lane to Brooklyn Standard. Inspired by New York City’s speakeasy bars, this hidden winter bar is the place to dance the night away, with live music ranging from pop, jazz, funk and the blues. Classic cocktails are shaken behind the bar, alongside a whiskey selection that keeps the good times flowing.

The Gresham, Brisbane City

When a winter whisky is calling, The Gresham Bar is the place to go. Beyond the grand cedar doors, you’ll find soaring seven metre-high pressed-metal ceilings, heritage charm, Chesterfield couches and a crackling Victorian fireplace, best enjoyed with a bourbon or whisky.

Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley

Above the buzz on Brunswick Street, Black Bear Lodge provides a cosy soundtrack to a winter’s night. Spend the evening with a drink in hand as emerging artist and vinyl-spinning DJs fill the space with tunes too good not dance to.

Finney Isles, Fortitude Valley

Hidden behind a blue door in Fortitude Valley, Finney Isles is a 1920s-inspired escape where old-world charm meets a modern drinks list. Enjoy the warm glow of candlelight as you explore boutique wines, premium whiskies and crafted cocktails, best paired with a charcuterie board and good company.

Savile Row, Fortitude Valley

Leave the cool Brisbane air behind and disappear into Savile Row’s London-inspired world. Behind the iconic orange door, push back the curtains and discover the charm of this bar, steeped in character. Named after London’s renowned tailoring district, made-to-measure is exactly what you’ll get with over 1000 bottles behind the bar - your personalised beverage awaits.

Greaser, Fortitude Valley

It turns out Fortitude Valley has quite the collection of colourful doors! Behind Greaser's red one, you'll find a rock 'n' roll basement bar hidden within the original hotel cellars. A favourite for live music lovers, the venue pairs cold beers and American-inspired eats with exposed brick walls, graffiti-covered interiors and late-night fun.

Dark Red, Fortitude Valley

Tucked away in Bakery Lane, Dark Red is made for winter nights. Lined floor-to-ceiling with bottles, this intimate wine bar specialises in Italian and Australian-grown wines. Grab a seat inside, settle in with a glass and leave the chill at the door. On weekends, DJs add to the atmosphere, making it an easy spot to while away a winter evening.

Junk Bar, New Farm

The music starts before you've finished your first sip at The Junk Bar. Find a spot among eclectic lounges, retro wallpaper and vintage lamps, order a cocktail and spend the evening discovering the artists and records that give this New Farm favourite its soul.

South Brisbane

Bar Brutus, South Brisbane

Bar Brutus makes the perfect spot to perch for an aperitivo and people watch along Fish Lane. The intimate bar loves the element of surprise, with a rotating cocktail of the week along with a mostly Italian wine list. Make your way through the small bites, cured meats, flaky breads and crispy snacks that all marry perfectly with the cocktail of the week.

Canvas, Woolloongabba

 In the heart of Woolloongabba, Canvas Club is a favourite to escape the evening chill. Order a glass of your favourite winter wine and settle into the vintage-inspired bar – as the temperature drops outside, the warm glow from inside makes it hard to walk past.

Cobbler, West End

Take your tastebuds on a world whisky tour at Cobbler. This small West End bar has more than 400 whiskies from all over the world, spanning Scottish, American, Canadian, Irish, Japanese and Australian varietals. There’s always a new taste to uncover – so be sure to take the time to settle in for a cocktail or two!

Maeve Wine Bar pouring wine
Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane

La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane

If choosing the wine is just as important as choosing dinner, La Lune Wine Co is your kind of place! This European-inspired wine bar heroes' Australian ingredients through a seasonal menu, while the thoughtfully curated wine list makes it easy to channel your inner wine connoisseur.

Electric Avenue, Woolloongabba

Old world glam meets contemporary fine dining at Electric Avenue. Once a hotspot for antiques, this Woolloongabba precinct is now roaring with nightlife, whilst keeping a touch of that vintage charm. Enjoy classic bistro fare alongside more than 75 wines, beers or cocktails before making your way through an antique wardrobe to discover hidden whisky bar, Mrs J. Rabbits upstairs.

Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane

Maeve Wine Bar traded dollars for drinks, transforming a former bank into one of South Brisbane’s most inviting spots for a night out. Take a seat at the bar or gather around a banquet table as dishes from the European-inspired menu make their way to the table and wines from small producers around the world fill your glass.

Maker, South Brisbane

A suave little hole-in-the-wall bar, Maker seats just 18 guests around its strikingly long oxidised brass bar. Here, award-winning bartenders prepare ever-evolving cocktails with flair right before your eyes, using boutique liqueurs and native Australian ingredients.

The End, West End

The End is a small-town hideout and hangout in West End, tucked nicely off the main drag. The drinks menu is a toast to the local and unique, with hand-picked flavours and refined libations. Bring your furry friend along, order a bite to eat and enjoy the cool West End evening.

The Tailors, Woolloongabba

Behind a dressing room mirror, which swings open to reveal a cosy cocktail haven, The Tailors is one of Woolloongabba’s best-kept secrets. Arrive on a Friday night for live music and cocktails designed to complement the evening's soundtrack.

Neighbourhoods

Franks Social Bar, Paddington

Hidden among Paddington's historic row of shops, Frank's Social Club blends the charm of a deli with the warmth of a neighbourhood wine bar. Order a few nibbles, choose a drop from the wine list and graze your way through the night.

Hope & Anchor, Paddington

Part English pub, part Paddington local, Hope & Anchor knows how to make a cool evening feel inviting. Set inside a heritage-listed bakery, the cosy watering hole brings a little taste of Britain to Brisbane. With a Guinness in hand and classic English pub fare on the table, you may find yourself staying for just one more round.

Snug, Coorparoo

By day, Snug draws crowds for its Korean-inspired brunches, but come evening the cosy neighbourhood favourite shifts into wine-bar mode. The lights dim, the music turns up and a menu of Korean-inspired share plates joins a thoughtful wine list, creating the kind of warm and welcoming atmosphere that suits a winter night perfectly.

Oxford Taphouse, Bulimba

Tucked beneath Oxford Streets iconic fig trees, The Oxford Tap House is a neighbourhood favourite for craft beer, quality wines and cocktails. Pair your drink with a spread of charcuterie, tapas or one of the hearty baguettes on the menu before settling into a spot on the deck.

The Arsonist, Manly

The Arsonist brings a little extra heat to Manly's waterfront, where flames play a starring role. The speciality bar pairs signature cocktails, fine wines and an impressive whisky collection with the theatre of an open fire kitchen, where guests can immerse themselves in the warmth, sight, sound, smell and taste of cooking with fire. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience and take in the action from the bar as the flames flicker throughout the evening.

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