Brisbane Nightlife

Cool clubs, chic bars and an excellent live music scene make Brisbane really spring to life at night. Fortitude Valley is packed with bars, clubs and live music venues but the West End is also making a name for itself for great nights out. Thursday to Sunday are the key nights of the week for heading out and it’s advisable to carry proof of age and leave the flip-flops at home, as smart attire will assist entry into most venues.

Bars in Brisbane

Elixir Rooftop Bar

In contrast to many of the bars that surround it, Elixer Rooftop Bar offers the chance to relax on a rooftop terrace covered in fairy lights in the heart of Fortitude Valley. This sophisticated spot delivers a Manhattan vibe, offering a wide variety of cocktails best-enjoyed at sunset.

Address:
Level 1, 646-648 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3363 5599.
Lefty's Old Time Music Hall

Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall is a 19th century American salon style Bar with live music. Lefty’s wouldn’t be out of place in an Old Western, with the dark leather and timber fittings, mounted animals and candle lit tables. Their massive selection of whisky is also not to be argued with and most defiantly adds to the atmosphere.

Address:
15 Caxton Stree, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
Telephone: +61 5 5594 7539
Lychee Lounge

A night out at the well-heeled Lychee Lounge in the West End offers the chance to relax in an exotic oriental styled lounge after ordering some truly inspired cocktails from what has to be one of the best drinks menus in Queensland. It’s the perfect blend of the magic east in the heart of the West End and possibly one of the few places outside Japan where you can drink at a samurai-inspired bar.

Address:
2/94 Boundary Street, Brisbane, 4101, Australia
Telephone: +61 4 1824 4644
Walrus Club

Harking back to the prohibition era of the 1920s and 30s, this speakeasy-style bar is named after the SS Walrus, a floating distillery that trawled the Logan River in the 19th century. The atmospheric venue features exposed brick walls, archways, rum crates, candelabras and comfy leather couches; all befitting ladies and dapper gentlemen on a mission to sample some of the best cocktails in the city.

Address:
543 Coronation Drive, Toowong, Brisbane, QLD 4066, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3871 9595.

Clubs in Brisbane

Cloudland

Brisbane's incredible superclub Cloudland in Fortitude Valley offers four levels of cutting-edge design, including a retractable glass roof, a waterfall and thousands of plants. With a sumptuous array of booths to chill out in, and a range of spectacular bars to sidle up to, its reputation as an urban oasis is well deserved.

Address:
641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3872 6600
Website:
EI8HT

Get acquainted with the nightclub that has put Brisbane on the dance music map and has led to superstar DJs including Carl Cox announcing this Fortitude Valley venue to be among the best there is. Choose from five bars, including an ice bar, and four floors featuring international and local DJs and acts, for a night out like few others.

Address:
8 Maclachlan Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3852 5000
The Met

With five bars and three main rooms dedicated to getting you moving, The Met is a premier league nightclub. Choose from RnB in the Bamboo room, funky house in the Coco room, or big name DJs in the main Met room - which comes equipped with a vast LED screen. With cutting edge sound and lighting, and hypnotic dance floor grooves packing in the crowds, don’t expect to get to bed much before sunrise.

Address:
256 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3257 2557.
The Triffid

The Tiffid is home to an amazing live room, where great talents and bands can be found performing live music all night long, 3-5 nights a week. There is also a pre-gig beer garden for you and your friends chill out and get a few drinks before the main event.

Address:
7-9 Stratton Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3171 3001

Live Music in Brisbane

Bowery

The Bowery is one of the best cocktail bars in town and features live jazz during the week and DJ sets on the weekends. The Bowery burst onto the scene in 2003, but takes its name and influences from the gin joints and speakeasy bars of early 20th century America. It’s home to some of the best mixologists in Brisbane, so don’t forget to sample at least one of their innovative cocktails.

Address:
676 Ann Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3252 0202.
Lock’n’Load

Lock’n’Load has for more than a decade now hosted the best live music in Brisbane, from up-and-coming local talent to seasoned touring artists. Whether dinner and jazz on a Tuesday night, big party hits later in the week, or a relaxed acoustic session on Sunday, this bistro offers something for all. It's also popular spot to grab after work drinks.

Address:
142 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3844 0142.
The Zoo

The Zoo is an icon of the local indie music scene, and the place to go for good, brash Australian music. From beats and hip hop to jazz and folk, The Zoo’s eclectic mix of music is as impressive as the venue’s feel good community vibe. The Zoo turns 24 in 2016 and names lined up to play at the venue this year include Tiki Taane, Black Milk and Screamfeeder.

Address:
Winn Lane, 711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3854 1381
Unforgiven

This intimate bar, under Paddington’s Iceworks describes itself as an experiment in drinks, décor, music and art, where young songwriters can cut their teeth and try out their tunes. Bespoke cocktails and boutique beers are the order of the day here, with tapas and pizza also on the menu.

Address:
157 Given Terrace, Paddington, Brisbane, 4064, Australia
Telephone: +61 7 3367 9800
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