Heading out on the town? Here are the best places in Brisbane to wet your whistle
Brisbane may be renowned for its sprawling pubs and beer gardens, where you can settle in for a laid-back session and soak up the year-round sunshine – but these days there’s a whole lot more to the river city’s booze scene than meets the eye. Whether you’re looking for the best spot for cleverly crafted cocktails or a dive bar where you can drink with your dog, these are the best bars in Brisbane right now.
West End might be renowned for its cheap and cheerful bars, but this definitely isn’t one of them. Behind the floor-to-ceiling velvet curtain, more than 300 bottles of whisky await, with some seriously luxe drams on offer. Served with an eyedropper of water or hand-cut ice, if you must.
For a little bar, Maker certainly packs a big punch. The 20-seater den of black minimalism shakes and stirs an ever-changing list of cocktails, each presented like a true work of art. Stick with one from the seasonal menu or be bold with a bespoke cocktail – just tell the bartenders what you’re in the mood for. Pair your tipple with bar snacks that you absolutely won’t find elsewhere in town.
Don’t be deterred by the menacing Grim Reaper mural on the wall outside. The welcome is warm, and so is the ambience inside this cavernous former warehouse in Brisbane’s oldest laneway, Burnett Lane. The amber glow of 1,000 bottles of quality booze behind the bar will warm even the darkest of hearts.
When you want to drink in the Valley but want to keep it classy, sashay over to Savile Row. Hidden in plain sight behind an unmarked orange door and down a dark and winding staircase, this whiskey and cocktail bar is a tribute to the iconic central London strip known for its exquisite tailoring. Shuffle into one of the intimate chandelier-lit booths for top-shelf cocktails, which are refreshed every quarter. Alternatively, trust the team to guide you with their top pick from Savile Row’s shiny gallery of 1,000 booze bottles.
It really is all fun and games at this corner bar at the seedy end of the Valley. In addition to the best collection of retro arcade games, there are 24 local beers on tap, handmade sodas, live music and the tastiest bar snacks around (many of them vegan).
Right on the banks of the river under the Story Bridge, this is the easiest, breeziest spot in Brisbane to while away a Sunday session. Nab a table on the deck or sprawl on a picnic rug on the lawn and work your way through the fresh, frothy ales and lagers brewed on-site.
The motto here is simple: No pretension, no dress code, just ‘damn’ good drinkin’. If glitzy Park Road seems like an unlikely location for a friendly little dive bar, don’t take our word for it. Stop by and see what tasty draft beer is on offer this week. BYO food and dogs.
Whether you've got a taste for upmarket modern Australian, Queensland's famous seafood eateries or classic European with a twist, there's something for everyone.
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