River walks and rooftop bars in Brisbane City

With perfect blue skies almost year-round and a river that wraps itself around two-thirds of the CBD, name a more perfect thing to do in Brisbane City than drink cocktails in the sky and find a moment of peace by the water?

Reap the rewards of your walk by the river (yes, it counts as exercise) by treating yourself to a cocktail with a view. Getting out of the house and pumping those legs is cause for celebration, and an espresso martini or three should do the trick. Brisbane CBD is topped with plenty of rooftop bars to explore and riverfront to wander. Here’s where to go next time you’re in Brisbane City.

Walk along the Brisbane River

Brisbane Riverwalk

The city’s beloved Riverwalk stretches from New Farm at Sydney Street along an above-water walkway, through Howard Smith Wharves precinct, under the Story Bridge and into Brisbane City. Running right along the waterfront, this flat walkway is popular for easy walks and cyclists. It passes by the long lunches business district, and continues on into the lush green City Botanic Gardens. You can finish there or wander through the gardens, past the Riverstage to QUT Gardens Points. Follow George Street and you’ll be shopping up Queen Street Mall in no time.

Eagle Street Pier

The primary category of person walking through Eagle Street Pier? The overstuffed diner. This restaurant precinct is a waterfront gem filled with fine dining restaurants of all cuisines and manicured parkland with river views. Get your food fix at Cha Cha Char, Sake, Blackbird, Madame Wu and more, and walk off that delicious meal by the water to make room for dessert. Of course, you can simply visit the riverfront precinct without dining too, but you would be in the minority.

Rooftops bars above the City

Sazerac Rooftop Bar

Catch the elevator to the 30th floor to experience Brisbane’s highest rooftop bar. The views? Incredible. Close to Eagle Street Pier, Sazerac offers a curated cocktail, wines, beer and spirits along with a stunning vantage point over the CBD. The obvious drink order is the namesake classic cocktail, a Sazerac. There’s also a menu of tapas and bigger plates. 

WET Deck

The five-star W Hotel has made one thing clear: it’s here to praise our cosmopolitan city and relaxed sun-soaked culture. Sitting in the heart of the city and on the river’s edge off George Street, from the large terrace expect epic views over the Brisbane River, GOMA and South Bank. With a funky zebra-like striped roof, heated pool and DJs day and night, the WET Deck is an oasis in the sky for cold drinks and long nights with a resort feel. Your drink of choice? Champagne or something tropical.

Lennons Pool Bar & Terrace

Another rooftop pool terrace, this one is perched above Queen Street Mall. The bar embraces tropical luxe, centred around a 20-metre long infinity pool with padded lounges to kick back in day or night, and a cocktail list of signature drinks and classics. Nab a table by the terrace edge, order mojitos or a blueberry gin sour and settle in for the ultimate people-watching experience below. A menu of tapas, pizza and salads is available until 10pm too.

Sixteen Antlers

Peer out over Brisbane City Hall, King George Square and the CBD from this central sky-high bar on the 16th floor. Popular for after-work drinks, grab a cushioned area for your mates and order cheese boards or tapas to share. Behind the bar, craft beer and fine wine is an easy choice, or take your pick from the specialty cocktail menu – the Antler’s Forest with vodka, Chambord, creme de cacao, Kahlua and espresso is our pick. The 120-seat bar is located at the top level of the Pullman and Mercure Brisbane. 

Stock Exchange Rooftop

Standing since 1863, The Stock Exchange Hotel has seen plenty of history in Brisbane. While the downstairs gives a classic pub vibe the rooftop terrace with its fairy lights, hanging plants and white picket fence is the ultimate garden party spot. Beneath the evening sky join the throngs of office-workers after work for drinks with a buzzing atmosphere and pub prices.