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, you won't be able to name a more perfect thing to do in The 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. The City has plenty of rooftop bars to explore and riverfront to wander. Here’s where to go next time you’re in The 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 is 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 Fatcow Steak & Lobster, 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

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. We recommend ordering champagne or something tropical.

The bar embraces tropical luxe, centred around a 20-metre infinity pool with padded lounges to kick back in the day or night, and a cocktail list of signature drinks and classics. Nab a table by the terrace edge and settle in for the ultimate people-watching experience below. A menu of tapas, pizza and salads is available too.

The Pool Terrace and Bar

Another rooftop pool terrace. This one is perched above Queen Street Mall and embraces tropical luxe, centred around a 20-metre infinity pool with padded lounges to kick back in day or night. Order from the cocktail list of signature drinks and classics (we recommend the riverside g&t or a spiked caramel espresso), set up on a table by the terrace edge and settle in for the ultimate people-watching experience in the mall below. A menu of tapas is also available to keep you going all night long.

Sixteen Antlers

Peer out over Brisbane City Hall, King George Square and the The City from this central sky-high bar on the 16th floor. Popular for after-work drinks, grab a cushioned area for you and 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 five face martini, watermelon sour and golden sandz are our top picks. The 120-seat bar is located at the top level of the Pullman and Mercure Brisbane.

Jimmy’s on the Mall

Technically a rooftop, but this venue sits lower to the ground than the others on this list. What makes it really stand out is the people watching, which is unparalleled to anything else you’ll experience in The City. Situated in the middle of the Queen Street Mall, this long established outdoor venue is right among the hustle and bustle of one of Australia’s busiest pedestrian malls. It is open 24/7 making it the perfect spot to take you from day to night (or night to day).