Brisbane’s bar scene sure has changed over the past decade. You’re no longer restricted to grabbing a beer ‘off the wood’ at the Brekky Creek Hotel or throwing down an alcopop at Friday’s (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
With rooftops, boutique bars and sophisticated cocktails on offer, choosing a watering hole in the river city has never been so tempting. Oh, and the food is pretty good too. 😉
Here are my top picks.
Alfred & Constance, Fortitude Valley
Who would have thought two Queenslander cottages could house a beer garden and restaurant, tiki bar, underground cellar, cafe and western style saloon bar? The layout of A&C encourages you to wander through the complex so you can experience all the different elements, grab a drink or sit down to a meal. I personally like to pull up a saddle-topped stool in the saloon bar or find a spot of astroturf in the White Lightning Tiki Bar. You’re not likely to come across a drinks list quite like the one Alfred & Constance serves up; from flaming Kava Bowl cocktails (best shared between two or four people) to alcoholic juices and smoothies, you’ll undoubtedly end up trying something new on your first few visits here. The food is just as eclectic. At A&C you can start your evening with roast eggplant croquettes and pork carved from a whole roast pig, enjoy some beverages, then wrap up with a late night sweet treat like tiramisu pavlova or Nutella cheesecake – all under the one roof! Ok, so it’s actually two roofs, but let’s not get technical.
Tiki bar
Bacchus, South Bank
‘B’ is for Bacchus, the chic rooftop bar at Rydges South Bank. You may have been lucky enough to stay at a hotel with a pool bar, but Bacchus takes things to a whole new level.
Bacchus pool deck
Think glitzy poolside Sunday sessions with a cocktail in hand (sans paper umbrella) and DJs playing slick tunes to while away the afternoon. Got a hankering for high tea? How about a glass of Moet or Dom Perignon to go along with your scones? Bacchus also hosts Vine and Wine Wednesdays where you can sample some top drops for FREE. Sounds like the perfect excuse to go out on a school night to me!
Verve Restaurant and Cider House, CBD
If you’re looking for somewhere relaxed and low-key, head to the basement of the Metro Arts building for some quality beverages and delicious nosh. Cider is obviously the star attraction here and Verve offers an impressive range of 60 ciders from around the world. They also stock a fine list of Australian and imported wines as well as top shelf spirits and an excellent beer selection. Pull up a stool near the bar or have some drinks over dinner. Verve is renowned for its cheap and totally tasty Italian fare with Pork Belly Linguini, Vodka & Artichoke Risotto and Roast Pumpkin Pizza just some of the dishes on offer. Bellissimo!
Capulet, Fortitude Valley
Capulet is a suave Romeo & Juliet-inspired venue with velvet booths inside and an outdoor courtyard complete with gazebo-style garden furniture and a white picket fence. There’s a focus on fashion here, with regular parades and design comps to go along with the strictly enforced smart casual dress code. And the drinks menu? You can enjoy boutique ciders, craft beers and of course – cocktails – with Shakespearian signature mixes like the Juliet to sip on (Cîroc vodka, Lillet Blanc aperitif wine and lychees).
O Bar and Restaurant, Spring Hill
This little beauty is located at the Diamant Boutique Hotel and offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. Locals like to pop in for a morning coffee and it’s a popular spot for after work drinks as well. Australian drops are well-represented on the wine list while local craft beers and ciders round out the drinks menu. O Bar is also a great spot for a meal, with breakfast, daily lunch specials, canapés and superb dinner options available (I can personally vouch for its quality; check out my post about the suite escape I had at Diamant in 2013).
Obar
Sling Lounge, West End
Do you consider yourself a cocktail connoisseur? Or maybe you simply appreciate the delicious, artful blend of a cocktail? Either way, you MUST go to Sling Lounge. Their menu is a good read, with a dash of history and storytelling mixed in with the ingredients for each drink so you can go on a journey as you enjoy the creations from the skilled bartenders. Make your way through each carefully crafted section of the menu and you’ll find new spins on classics like The Spirit of Australia Martini and the West Indies Colada popping up amongst the Frosted Cake, the Merman! (hello Derek Zoolander) and my personal fave, The Cane Toad.
If you’ve ever wondered what mixology was about, but thought it was all a bit too wanky, come to Sling and have your mind blown. There’s no pretentiousness here, just one heck of a cocktail menu. And by the way, you don’t want to miss their Margarita Mondays. 40 margaritas at $10 each – I’m sold!
Chester Street Bakery & Bar, Newstead
This is a cute neighbourhood bar and restaurant by night but if you’re in Brissie on the weekend, Chester Street is the place to go for a boozy brunch. No need to wait for nightfall; order a bellini, classic mojito or mimosa (the quintessential brunch beverage) to go with your French toast or upsize to a jug of Pimm’s or Chester St. Bloody Mary to share with friends. Want to start off with something a little lighter? Go ahead – you can spike any juice or smoothie on the menu. I can’t think of a better way to start the day.
Chester Street
Limes Hotel Rooftop Bar, Fortitude Valley
This rooftop bar is located at the ultra-swanky Limes Hotel. Word is you better be dressed to the nines on Friday and Saturday nights, but at other times you can expect a pretty chilled out sky-high experience. As well as a cocktail and champagne bar, Limes offers two plunge pools and breaks out as an open-air cinema on Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Limes Hotel rooftop bar
Feeling peckish? Take in the Valley views and nibble on some tapas (pulled pork sliders, anyone?) as you sip on a drink at dusk.
The Walrus Club, Toowong
Like Verve, this is a hidden gem and you may struggle to find the entry to this underground bunker of a bar, which sits down a black staircase at the rear of The Regatta. This place will take you back in time, paying homage to the prohibition era in the 20s and 30s. It’s dimly lit with exposed brick walls, chunky leather couches and rum crates topped with candelabras. The Walrus’ collection of 170 rums and more than 100 other spirits give it some serious clout, but the bar staff are just as happy serving up custom concoctions for cocktail lovers as they are for rum aficionados. You can’t really beat it for atmosphere and sophistication. Open Thursday to Saturday from 5pm.
And there you have it: a little taste of what to expect from the Brisbane bar scene in 2014. Have you got any favourites?