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Best Things to Do in South Brisbane

The vibrant inner city suburb of South Brisbane is a cultural and culinary mecca, with world class galleries, theatre, library, heritage trail and museum to one of Brisbane's funkiest laneways with its pocket-sized and hidden bars, cutting edge restaurants, bakery and beer hall. Elsewhere there's a gin distillery, bespoke Japanese dining room and heritage-listed pub turned retro live music bar, all in the same neighbourhood. Here's 30+ of the best things to explore and do:

GOMA
GOMA
During its relatively short existence has quickly established itself as the proverbial jewel in Brisbane’s visual arts crown.
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The Rose & Crown
The Rose & Crown South Brisbane
The Rose & Crown brings a cool London pub vibe to a landmark heritage-listed Queenslander
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It's Still a Secret
It's Still a Secret South Brisbane
An exquisite 1970's style vintage bar occupying the ground floor of 130 year old heritage-listed Coronation Hotel
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Maeve Wine Bar
Maeve Wine Bar
Maeve is an art deco Euro-style wine bar occupying the top floor of a heritage-listed bank in South Brisbane
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Como Restaurant
Como Restaurant South Brisbane
This gorgeous upmarket Italian restaurant and bar brings a touch of Lake Como class to South Brisbane
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Hello Please
Hello Please Fish Lane
Hello Please is a Vietnamese-inspired street food restaurant and bar that has its home in Fish Lane
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Julius Pizzeria
Julius Pizzeria building exterior
Julius Pizzeria is an uber slick addition to the coolest laneway this side of the river, Fish Lane.
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Chu The Phat
Chu the Phat is Brisbane’s coolest Asian restaurant and bar – a stunning glass-enclosed 2-storey affair with an exotic menu
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Queensland Art Gallery
Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane
From the time of acquiring its first art work in 1895, the Qld Art Gallery has moved buildings five times and amassed a collection of more than 14,000 Australian and International artworks
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Midtown
Midtown bar South Brisbane
Midtown is a swish intimate New York style bar serving top notch food, boutique wine and two-sip martinis
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Bar Rosa
Bar Rosa South Brisbane
A buzzy elegant Italian bar and eatery serving wine and outstanding food and opposite the Queensland Museum
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Eleven Bridges Gin Bar
Eleven Bridges Gin Bar, South Brisbane
Eleven Bridges is Brisbane's latest gin bar and distillery, offering over 100 boutique botanicals
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Taro’s Ramen
Taro’s Ramen is changing the way we do ramen – with big bowls of MSG-free broth that’s customised to suit your taste
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Saccharomyces Beer Cafe
Saccharomyces Beer Café
Saccharomyces Beer Café is a cool designer beer hall tucked away in Fish Lane, South Brisbane, serving a daily breakfast, followed by craft beers and eats until midnight
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South Brisbane Heritage Trail
South Brisbane was originally slated to be Brisbane's CBD, with some grand commercial buildings being established on the south side of the river, until the 1893 flood changed all that.
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Lune Croissanterie
Lune Croissanterie South Brisbane
The renowned Melbourne bakery has brought the 'finest croissants in the world'* to South Brisbane
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State Library Of Queensland
State Library of Qld building in Sth Brisbane
This multi-story award-winning architectural landmark building on the riverfront between the art galleries is home to the main archival collections of Queensland’s history.
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Maker
Maker South Brisbane
Maker is a chic and intimate hole-in-the-wall bar reminiscent of those found in Barcelona’s back alleys, tucked away in Fish Lane, South Brisbane.
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Riverside Dog Park
Riverside Dog Park
Riverside Dog Park is one of South Brisbane’s hidden gems - a long narrow offleash park that stretches along the riverfront
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Southside
Southside South Brisbane
This multi-level Pan Asian urban oasis is tucked away under the South Brisbane railway bridge in Fish Lane
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Next Episode
Fish Lane Next Episode
Next Episode is a secret laneway hip hop bar with a concealed entrance inside a barber’s shop
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Gelato Messina
Gelato Messina South Brisbane
Gelato Messina in South Brisbane is a sibling of the famous Sydney outfit and a go-to for some of Australia's best gelato.
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Kurilpa Park
Kid cycling under Jolly Bridge
Sandwiched between the evergreen Paul’s milk factory, William Jolly Bridge and GOMA is a tiny pocket park where fisherman drop a line and through which the riverside bike and pedestrian track passes on its way to Kurilpa Bridge.
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Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack
Big Roddy is serving up his secret recipe, prime-cut ribs in South Brisbane’s hottest dining precinct, Fish Lane.
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Tai Tai
Tai Tai South Bank
Tai Tai is a casual, chic al fresco restaurant bringing authentic South East Asian cuisine to a street corner
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La Lune Wine Co
La Lune Wine Co Fish Lane
La Lune Wine Co is a classy little French-style wine bar tucked away in South Brisbane's Fish Lane
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Kiki
Kiki, Fish Lane Town Square, South Brisbane
This cool coffee kiosk by day, cocktail bar by night can be found nestled in a leafy urban oasis underneath a rail bridge
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Under The Clock
Under The Clock South Brisbane
Under the Clock is a secret café steeped in historic charm, found tucked away under the landmark heritage-listed South Brisbane Municipal Hall that is now part of Somerville House.
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Uncle Don
Uncle Don West End
A dedicated donburi (Japanese rice bowl) restaurant, serving up more than 20 variations of the delicious dish
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Bar Brutus
Bar Brutus Fish Lane South Brisbane
This tiny 8-seater laneway bar brings an elegant touch of Italy to Fish Lane
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Ginger And Green
Ginger and Green South Brisbane
Ginger and Green is South Brisbane’s secret go to for great coffee, serving Seven Seeds espresso alongside house made sweets and an all-day menu.
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Queensland Theatre

Queensland Theatre has its home in South Brisbane, with their Bille Brown Theatre a fantastic intimate place to watch a play

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Barbossa Bar & Bottleshop
Barbossa Bar & Bottle Shop is shaking up Caribbean-inspired cocktails and cooking up island-vibed tapas
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TakashiYa
TakashiYa South Brisbane
A splendid and exclusive Japanese omakase, whiskey & sake bar, tucked away under the Emporium Hotel
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Nostimo Greek Restaurant
Nostimo Greek Restaurant Greek Club South Brisbane
A visit to Nostimo Greek Restaurant at the Greek Club, South Brisbane, is the next best thing to visiting Greece
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Ariake On Grey
Ariake on Grey South Brisbane
Ariake on Grey in South Brisbane is a slick little Japanese Izakaya style eatery where the focus is on quality fresh seafood
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Bamboo Basket
Chinese chef in kitchen seen through window on the street
It may be a little far from the South Bank action but Bamboo Basket offers its own flurry of activity
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St Mary's Catholic Church
Saint Mary's Catholic Church facade in South Brisbane
Built in the early 1890’s on the site of and to replace the original wooden Catholic church of 1865, St Mary’s is today a landmark in this area of South Brisbane.
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Image credit: Queensland Theatre, courtesy of Queensland Theatre website.

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