LAUGHS, EATS & TREATS:
Your guide to the Brisbane Comedy Festival
The annual Brisbane Comedy Festival delivers weeks of world-class comedy, but the laughs are just the setup. Between shows, Brisbane comes alive with pre-performance dining at acclaimed restaurants, post-show drinks at hidden bars, daytime adventures exploring cultural institutions, and lazy brunches recovering from late-night comedy marathons. So whether you're catching a headliner in a major venue or discovering emerging acts in intimate rooms, here's how to fill the hours between the laughs to make your Brisbane Comedy Festival experience unforgettable.
Where to stay
Brisbane Comedy Festival means late-night shows and early brunches, so choosing accommodation that positions you near venues, dining, and entertainment makes the difference between stumbling home happily and navigating complicated rideshare logistics when you’re exhausted from laughing all day.
If you’re looking to stay close to Brisbane Powerhouse and Fortitude Valley's comedy venues, The Calile Hotel brings boutique luxury with poolside bars and proximity to James Street's dining. Crystalbrook Vincent at Howard Smith Wharves positions you riverside beneath the Story Bridge with some of Brisbane's best restaurants literally downstairs. Hotel X offers spacious rooms in the thick of Fortitude Valley's entertainment precinct and Spicers Balfour delivers heritage charm in New Farm with personalised service that typical hotels can't match. For a truly unique experience, Miss Midgley’s in New Farm is a hidden gem - a discreet luxury guesthouse, established in one of Brisbane's oldest heritage homes.
The Pullman Brisbane King George Square sits right in The City's heart with modern rooms and excellent transport connections. W Brisbane combines bold contemporary style with riverside proximity, Marriott Brisbane provides reliable four-star comfort, and Sofitel Brisbane Central delivers French luxury alongside practical features perfect for festival-goers needing quality rest between shows.
South Bank accommodation keeps you close to Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) as well as some of Brisbane's best dining and cultural venues. Emporium Hotel South Bank offers rooftop pools and spa facilities for post-show recovery, Rydges South Bank Brisbane provides solid comfort near parklands and riverside dining, and Novotel Brisbane South Bank delivers consistent quality with easy access to both South Bank's venues and The City.
Where to eat
Start festival days properly with exceptional coffee and substantial breakfasts that'll carry you through marathon comedy sessions. In The City, Felix For Goodness brings wholesome café fare with serious coffee, Mulga Bill’s delivers generous Australian café classics with riverside views, and John Mills Himself has become a Brisbane institution for those who understand coffee isn't negotiable, it's essential.
West End's breakfast scene delivers variety: Morning After lives up to its name with restorative food perfect after late comedy shows, Lucky Duck serves neighbourhood café excellence that locals guard protectively, Superthing brings playful energy to breakfast, and Good Good offers single-origin precision for serious caffeine devotees.
Fortitude Valley positions you near multiple festival venues with So What Stereo combining specialty coffee with all-day dining, The Green serving nutrient-dense meals on James Street, and Industry Beans delivering coffee roasted on-site with café fare that sustains. In New Farm, Idle offers quality brews and breakfast within walking distance of Brisbane Powerhouse.
For those willing to venture slightly further, Florence in Camp Hill has perfected the line between classic Australian café and elevated dining, Straits in Coorparoo combines café culture with vinyl listening bar vibes, Echo & Bounce in Woolloongabba brings specialty coffee and seasonal brunch, and Billykart in Annerley delivers innovative breakfast worth the short trip.
Pre-show or post-performance dining deserves restaurants that understand timing matters during festival season. Bar Alto at Brisbane Powerhouse offers incredible options literally at the venue, which are perfect for grabbing dinner between back-to-back shows. Cartel Del Taco in New Farm brings elevated Mexican within walking distance of the Brisbane Powerhouse, ideal for groups debating shows over seriously good tacos and margaritas.
Brisbane City delivers options for every mood: Dark Shepherd at Queens Wharf showcases Queensland ingredients with riverside views, Pompette brings French bistro excellence to the precinct, and Howard Smith Wharves offers multiple restaurants clustered riverside, including Yoko, Greca, and Stanley, all within the same entertainment complex.
Fortitude Valley and James Street keep you in the thick of it, with Aunty serving contemporary dining, Bianca on James Street delivering intimate Italian and Winnifred's combining champagne house credentials with bistro fare in sophisticated surroundings that welcome post-show celebrations.
Where to drink
Howard Smith Wharves delivers Brisbane's most iconic drinking scene with Felons Brewing Co. pouring beers brewed on-site alongside riverside views beneath the Story Bridge, and Mr. Percival's offering laid-back charm perfect for groups who can't decide between craft beer and cocktails. The location works brilliantly for pre or post-show drinks when you're already riverside.
For those staying in or close to The City, Brisbane's cocktail bars deliver quality without pretension. The Gresham remains one of Brisbane's most beloved cocktail destinations where drinks surprise without gimmicks and the atmosphere welcomes rather than intimidates. Newcomer Shaman is one of The City's most well hidden drinking holes; located down an alleyway with no street signage, down a flight of stairs, behind a large wooden door, this underground speakeasy is worth the scavenger hunt to find it. Death & Taxes offers precision-crafted drinks from bartenders who genuinely understand their trade and Frog's Hollow Saloon is the perfect spot for a pint.
Fortitude Valley and surrounding areas position you perfectly for post-Powerhouse drinks. The Alligator Club delivers cocktails and spirits in refined surrounds, Savile Row brings moody speakeasy vibes, Barry Parade Public House offers neighbourhood pub charm, and Snack Man combines natural wines with late-night small plates. Wild Legs in Newstead serves cocktails and wines for those willing to walk slightly further, Dark Blue creates speakeasy atmosphere worth hunting for, and LoS on James Street brings cocktails in a space that balances sophistication with approachability.
For those setting up camp in South Bank, Fish Lane has become Brisbane's compact bar and dining precinct. Maeve brings natural wine culture and European-influenced small plates to intimate surrounds, Maker delivers cocktails and wines in a space designed for lingering, and Bar Brutus offers quality drinks without the ceremony. The End in West End combines neighbourhood bar vibes where conversation flows as freely as the taps.
If cocktail bars aren't your scene, Brisbane's brewery culture delivers options across the city. Sea Legs Brewing Co, Green Beacon, Range Brewing, Soapbox, and BrewDog all pour quality craft beer in spaces designed for groups who prefer hops to highballs. Many operate food trucks or kitchens, making them viable for extended sessions where drinking and eating happen simultaneously without requiring venue changes.
Things to do
Brisbane's cultural institutions provide perfect daytime diversions when you're not in theatre seats. The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) hosts a wide range of contemporary and traditional exhibitions, including the Australian exclusive of Olafur Eliasson: Presence during the festival.
The Museum of Brisbane inside City Hall brings interactive exhibitions focused on the region's character and evolution. For contemporary art beyond the major institutions, Milani Gallery in West End showcases rotating exhibitions, and Onespace Brisbane delivers cutting-edge contemporary work proving Brisbane's art scene extends well beyond South Bank's cultural precinct.
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb puts you atop one of Brisbane's most iconic structures with 360-degree views and Mount Coot-Tha offers hiking trails and lookout views just 15 minutes from the CBD, with the Brisbane Botanic Gardens providing more extensive botanical exploration for those wanting elevation without intense climbing.
For adrenaline that doesn't involve laugh-induced tears, Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point Cliffs offers abseiling down natural rock faces with city views, kayaking the Brisbane River for water-based perspective, or simply renting bikes, rollerblades, or scooters to explore riverside paths at your own pace.
Brisbane Comedy Festival coincides with exceptional live music touring through Brisbane. During the festival period, venues across the city are set host Mumford & Sons, Guy Sebastian, Thundercat, and the Australian exclusive season of Sting's The Last Ship at QPAC, to name a few.
Brisbane's sporting calendar operates year-round, and Comedy Festival timing often overlaps with significant matches. Suncorp Stadium hosts Brisbane Broncos NRL games and Queensland Reds Super Rugby matches, while Women's State of Origin, Torian Pro, and the iconic NRL Magic Round create sporting atmospheres that rival comedy for crowd energy and passionate supporters. If you've never experienced Australian sports culture, Brisbane Comedy Festival might provide the perfect excuse.
Beyond the city
Beyond the urban jungle of Brisbane, lie some of the world's most pristine beaches and World Heritage-listed wilderness. After days of laughter and city exploration, Brisbane's surrounding regions offer the perfect counterbalance of island escapes, rainforest adventures, and coastal experiences that transform your rugby trip into a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Just north of the city, the Moreton Bay region delivers adventure set against stunning scenery and salty air. Hit the water with Moreton Bay Jetski Hire and Ride, explore Bribie Island by 4WD with G’Day Adventure Tours or discover rainforest landscapes on a guided experience with Brisbane Nature Tours. It’s the perfect half or full day escape when you want wild coastal action without venturing far from Brisbane.
Ferry out to Moreton Island/Mulgumpin where crystal-clear waters meet white sand beaches stretching for kilometres. Day cruises with See Moreton or Tangalooma Island Resort pack in beach time, marine life encounters, and island exploration, getting you back to Brisbane by evening. Or turn it into an overnight stay at Tangalooma Island Resort and make the most of the island with experiences like ATV quad biking and scenic helicopter flights.
North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah offers a more laid-back island vibe with pristine surf beaches, coastal walks, and rich First Nations culture. While you’re there, why not book a tour with Yura Tours and learn more about the history and culture of this incredible corner of the world.
Hike through Lamington National Park in the Scenic Rim, where ancient trees tower overhead and bird calls replace stadium roars, or explore the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk that puts you above the canopy with views stretching to the coast. Discover glow-worm caves after dark where bioluminescence creates natural magic, or visit Canungra Valley Vineyards and Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm for wine tastings with mountain views.
For something truly unforgettable, book a dawn hot air balloon flight with Floating Images to watch the Greater Brisbane Region landscape unfurl below you as the sun rises over the mountains. It's thrilling without being physically demanding, and the kind of once-in-a-lifetime adventure that elevates your Brisbane Comedy Festival experience beyond shows and dining.
