Fortitude Valley:
Things to do            

18 JANUARY 2023

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.

IN THIS ARTICLE
IN THIS ARTICLE

Eat

Treat yourself to a tasty pastry or two (or three)

No trip to Fortitude Valley is complete without a sweet treat for the drive home. Visit Jocelyn’s ProvisionsSprout Artisan BakeryAgnes Bakery or Brooki Bakehouse before you go.

Head in early for brunch in Fortitude Valley

King Arthur, Harvey’s and The New Black are our top picks for your daily brunching adventures but we'll let you be the judge. Recent James St addition, The Green, is where inner-city greenhouse meets a kitchen driven by seasons. Savour their lush Middle Eastern menu, and you can even pick up a new pot plant on your way out.

Explore the incredible eats near the Calile Hotel

You simply can’t miss the 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. Pop across the road to Mediterranean-inspired Sunshine, where you can grab delicious vegetarian delicacies by weight and enjoy either dine in or take away.

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, The New Black and Bear Bones.

Two people cheersing at MAYA Mexican

Swigging beers and sipping cocktails is way more fun sky-high

Head to the top on a rooftop bar crawl through Cielo RooftopIris Rooftop Bar, Maya Mexican and Valley Hops Brewing.

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. Brisbane’s dedicated home of late-night Asian, Ling Ling’s, is your one-stop shop to curb those cravings with contemporary pan-Asian street food, soup bowl cocktails, craft beers and more.

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

Brisbane's longest-standing entertainment precinct is home to a legion of excellent cocktail bars. Pop by Savile RowStranded BarFinney IslesViscosityGerard's Bar, The Lodge Bar & Dining and The Calile’s Lobby Bar – 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. Simple. Traditional. 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.

Food and a glass of Valley Hops beer on table.
Valley Hops, Fortitude Valley

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 Uh Oh Spaghettio, 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. Their huge courtyard spills out from a transformed cottage and offers the perfect spot to enjoy some tunes and immerse yourself in the James St vibe.  

James Street_FortitudeValley_CoupleWalkingThroughStreet
James Street, Fortitude Valley

Shop

Shop your way along leafy James St  

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 gems 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, Forge Forward and House of Ezis and get your suits tailored at Oscar Hunt Tailors.  

An image of three women walking past shops.
Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley

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 Bakery or Brooklyn Beauty Bar. Secure a booking at Venom Nail Bar 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. Kick it old school at Superfly Disco and boogie on their light-up dance floor under the sparkling disco balls!  

Four people at bar table at Tivoli at Fortitude Valley with bartender and bottles as background
The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley

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. 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.  

Overview of a women relaxing with her hat nearby on a platform on the pool at The Calile
The Calile Hotel, Fortitude Valley

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 St 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 indulgent 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! 

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