Wet your whistle in the CBD
From stylish bars to laid-back pubs, the City offers plenty of options. Whether you're looking for a fruity summer cocktail or refreshing craft beer with mates, we've made it easy for you and picked the best spots in Brisbane's CBD to wet your whistle.
Sporting an extensive wine list and to-die-for cocktail menu with the illuminated Story Bridge as your backdrop, Bar Pacino is a must-visit.
Hidden down a graffiti-clad laneway on George St, Bean is a hidey hole in the CBD for the caffeine addicts and the 5.01pm clubbers. For the it's five o'clock somewhere club members, Bean offer a $10 Espresso Martini all week long as well as other variations on it, including the Peg Leg and the Crooked Kilt. There's also a wide selection of beers on offer - including a gluten free pale ale and a rotating craft beer of the week.
Wine and dine overlooking panoramic views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge at Blackbird Bar & Restaurant. Inspired by a 1920's prohibition period, the chic bar features an extensive first-class beverage and themed cocktail list.
Boom Boom Room, Cnr Elizabeth & George Street
This opulent underground bar fills the old vaults of a heritage-listed bank building with excellent whisky, fine dim sum and personal service. It’s table service – so sit back, order a spirit and have a selection of mixers rolled over on a trolley. Swish. Tap along to jazz, blues and soul tracks while waiting for your Sichuan spiced Wagyu beef tartare.
Brew, Burnett Lane
Walk down the nondescript alleyway off Queen Street Mall to find Brew Cafe and Wine Bar. The bunker-like haunt is the type of venue where you can come for a laid-back lunch and stay for an after work tipple.
Enjoy a slice of Brooklyn cool at speakeasy live music venue Brooklyn Standard. Located underground on Eagle Lane, Brooklyn Standard hosts live music six nights a week specialising in jazz, funk and blues – all accompanied by a well-stocked bar of whiskeys and classic cocktails.
Coppa Spuntino brings a little Italian-inspired flair to Creek St. You can pair your Italian wine with charcuterie, tapas and mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas. The cocktail list also maintains the European vibe with nine types of Negroni alongside a selection of aperitifs.
Housed in the basement of heritage-listed Corbett Chambers building on Elizabeth St, indulge in flavoursome fare at Corbett & Claude. The laneway bar serves up wood-fired pizzas, share plates and antipasti complemented by a selection of sparking, white and red wines with a vast assortment of craft beers.
Who knew the mastermind behind Cobbler, Savile Row and Finney Isles still had the energy to do anything else, but he's surprised (and delighted) us all by opening another joint down Burnett Lane in Brisbane City. Wander through double wooden doors to find a moody lounge bar encompassing low light, leather couches in the back room and shelves lined with delectable drops ready for any liquor connoisseur to sip and enjoy.
Friday's is a Brisbane institution. It's the place to be on a Friday night for CBD workers and offers an expansive outdoor terrace, bars and dining options. Grab a drink and head to the dance-floor to show off your moves.
An underground bespoke wine bar and bottle shop that oozes the effortless class of an old-fashioned gentlemen’s club, Grape Therapy has the wine library that you not only want, but also need. Grab a cheese and charcuterie platter while you're at it - what else are you going to do with your wine-free hand?
Tucked away on the edge of Gresham Lane branching off Queen St, The Gresham Bar is a whisky and bourbon saloon oozing old-world charm with an eccentric touch. The short cocktail selection does feature traditional cocktails, but to help ease you into the taste of their speciality spirit, most cocktails are whisky-based. If whisky doesn't tickle your fancy, there is a choice of a wide range of local craft beers, ciders and international wines.
John Mills Himself cafe and bar is located within the heritage-listed John Mills Building on Charlotte St. With an all-local ethos, the drinks list notes how many kilometres away each beverage was bottled, distilled or fermented.
The Laneway, Mary St
Located at the back of Urbane restaurant, offers an impressive cocktail menu that incorporates daily fresh-pressed citrus juices, as well as rare and imported wines, beers and ciders and a wagyu-spiked food offering from Urbane’s head chef Alejandro Cancino.
The Silver Fox, Edward St
Tucked away at the end of Edward Street, the cosy wine bar is the perfect location for an after work drink. The Silver Fox offers an extensive wine list with a range of locally sourced wines and also international flavours. Accompany your glass of wine with either a cheese plate or charcuterie mix.
Step off Queen Street Mall and ride the elevator to the fourth floor. You’ve arrived at Lennons Pool Terrace. Part of the new NEXT Hotel, the bar is perfectly positioned to grab a drink in the city with a side of people-watching. Grab an intimate setting for two overlooking Queen Street Mall, or stand around large bar tables on the terrace with your crew.
Brought to you by the owners of much-loved Il Centro, Mr & Mrs G is a cocktail bar at Eagle Street Pier. With touches of Moroccan and pops of colour, plus river and Story Bridge views to die for, it makes for the perfect place to enjoy a drink.
Tucked into Gresham Lane, Red Hook is the place to go for a cheeky cocktail (with a side of American-style burgers of course). We recommend the Harlem Hard Shake with bourbon, chocolate, caramel and peanut butter ice-cream, or be adventurous and try the Caramel Old Fashioned and Spiked Cream Soda.
On the promenade level of Riparian Plaza, overlooking the water, Riverbar has relaxed seating areas inside and outside for weekend or after-work drinks. As well as food designed by Matt Moran, the bar has a wide beer selection, contemporary and classic cocktails, and an extensive range of wines and champagne.
Sazerac, Mary St
Are you ready to take it to the top? 30 floors, in fact. Sazerac Bar is the city's highest bar, occupying the 30th floor of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel at 99 Mary St. The carefully crafted concoctions paired back with tapas and funky beats are the perfect match for sweeping city views.
Perched atop the Mercure Brisbane King George Square, Sixteen Antlers Rooftop Bar offers a selection of craft beers, curated cocktails and quality wines for visitors to enjoy while they relax and soak up the bird's-eye view of the surrounding city. Kick back and enjoy the warm Brisbane nights with excellent music and great company.
Super Whatnot is a small bar with a big personality. You can sip on craft beer, boutique wines by the glass and classic cocktails complemented by gourmet American-inspired snackery.
Incorporating drinking, dining, gaming and a cellar, The Exchange Hotel is a popular city spot and even has a rooftop. It's a great place to watch sporting games or for a casual bite to eat.
The W Brisbane's WET DECK, located on level 4, offers amazing riverside and poolside views. Savour the incredible atmosphere while you sip on your drink of choice. The bar menu features small plates and shares boards for those feeling peckish.
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Rooftop bars in Brisbane
With almost 300 days of sunshine every year, rooftop bars make the most of Brisbane's never-ending summer. Raise your glasses to drinking sky high!
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Eat & Drink Directory
Browse through the comprehensive directory of restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries in Brisbane City.
-
The 40 best bars in Brisbane
Don’t let your friends or date down, read on to find Brisbane’s award-winning bars, bars we love and those that are well-tried and tested.
-
Brisbane's best wine bars
Whether or not you know your shiraz from your merlot, or chardonnay from sauvignon blanc, let the city’s sommeliers teach you something new about vino at one of Brisbane’s wine bars.
-
Rooftop bars in Brisbane
With almost 300 days of sunshine every year, rooftop bars make the most of Brisbane's never-ending summer. Raise your glasses to drinking sky high!
-
Eat & Drink Directory
Browse through the comprehensive directory of restaurants, bars, cafes and eateries in Brisbane City.
-
The 40 best bars in Brisbane
Don’t let your friends or date down, read on to find Brisbane’s award-winning bars, bars we love and those that are well-tried and tested.
-
Brisbane's best wine bars
Whether or not you know your shiraz from your merlot, or chardonnay from sauvignon blanc, let the city’s sommeliers teach you something new about vino at one of Brisbane’s wine bars.
