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Best Bars in Brisbane

The Gatsby Bar Brisbane

Updated: May 14, 2026

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's where you'll find the best bars in Brisbane:

The Alligator Club
Entrance to The Alligator Club
The Alligator Club is a game-changing New Orleans-inspired live music and cocktail bar hidden away at the end of a funky laneway
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Death & Taxes
Exterior of Death & Taxes Brisbane
Death & Taxes is a gorgeous old-world cocktail lounge and wine bar hidden away in Brisbane's oldest laneway
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Fiume Bar
Fiume Bar, Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane interior
Fiume is the stunning rooftop bar of Crystalbrook Vincent, nestled under the Story Bridge at Howard Smith Wharves
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The Gresham Bar
Piano, gramophone and light inside The Gresham Bar dim-lit interior
The Gresham Bar is one of Brisbane’s most ambient old world bourbon and whisky bars
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Winnifred's
Exterior of Winnifred's Bar & Bistro
Winnifred's is an exquisite multi-level champagne house and French bistro that's like finding a little slice of France in Fortitude Valley
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The Gatsby
Bar and seating at The Gatsby GPO, Fortitude Valley
A jaw-dropping opulent cocktail and wine bar evoking the splendour and glamour of the 1920s
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Brooklyn Standard
Brooklyn Standard Brisbane
Brooklyn Standard is Brisbane’s coolest basement bar - a dim-lit brick cellar accessed by a secret laneway door where live music
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Trove Cocktail Bar
Yellow banquette, wallpaper and chandelier at Trove Bar
Trove Bar is a glamorous old world cocktail bar in Brisbane's CBD, tucked away upstairs in a landmark 19th century hotel
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The Terrace
Seating and view of Brisbane CBD from The Terrace Hotel Emporium South Bank
The Terrace is Brisbane’s most luxurious rooftop bar with jaw-dropping 180 degree views all the way out to Moreton island
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Antico
Exterior of Antico cocktail bar Brisbane CBD bar
A gorgeous Italian-inspired cocktail bar inhabiting a character-filled split-level space in Brisbane's oldest lane
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Greaser Bar
Greaserbar Fortitude Valley
Greaser is a secret subterranean bar of retro American-style cool in the cellar of a 130-year-old heritage Fortitude Valley building
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Savile Row
Chandelier and alcohol bottles on walls at Savile Row Fortitude Valley
Savile Row is a hidden Valley treasure that's one of Brisbane’s best bars - an opulent speakeasy-style vintage lounge bar
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Mrs J. Rabbits
Lounge at Mrs J. Rabbits Bar Woolloongabba
Mrs J. Rabbits is a secret 1920s whiskey and jazz speakeasy where the entrance is through an antique wardrobe
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Dark Blue
Entrance to Dark Blue Wine Bar Fortitude Valley
Dark Blue is a little hidden treasure of a wine and cocktail bar nestled within an historic brick building on the corner of Winn Lane
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Nok Nok BNE
Nok Nok BNE Fortitude Valley
A tiny elegant tropical-themed bar tucked away behind an arched green door with brass knocker
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Mr Percival's
Mr Percival's bar exterior at night with Brisbane high rises in background
Mr Percival’s is Brisbane’s stunning octagonal overwater bar jutting out over the river in prime position at the Howard Smith Wharves
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At Sixes & Sevens
People drinking outside At Sixes and Sevens Bar in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley
At Sixes and Sevens is a gorgeous public house come gastro pub inhabiting one of the area's oldest surviving buildings
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Midtown
Circular atrium garden space out front of 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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Maker
Drink on counter at 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
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MAYA Mexican Restaurant & Bar
People sitting at rooftop bar at MAYA Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Occupying a prime rooftop location, with sweeping 270 degree views of the city and Mt Coot-tha is MAYA Mexican Restaurant & Bar
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The Inchcolm Bar
People seated at The Inchcolm Bar Spring Hill
A splendid old world Hollywood-inspired lounge bar in the lobby of the heritage-listed Inchcolm Hotel
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Pawn & Co
Pawn & Co Fortitude Valley
A dazzling adult playground incorporating a perfumery and immersive cocktail bar, where all items of decor are for sale
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Bar Miette
Diners sitting outside with view of Story Bridge and Brisbane River at Bar Miette Brisbane City
A stunning European-style terrace bar and all-day eatery located on the riverfront underneath Queen Street's CBUS building
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Club Felix
Alcohol bottles on the bar at Club Felix Brisbane CBD
A swanky supper-club style lounge bar tucked away upstairs on the first level of heritage-listed Naldham House
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Cicada Blu
Entrance to Cicada Blu Brisbane CBD
Cicada Blu is a stunning open-air bar perched 100m above the CBD streets on the Sky Deck at The Star Brisbane
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Milquetoast
Milquetoast Wine Bar Brisbane CBD
A funky pocket-sized wine bar in a converted garage, hidden away down a Brisbane City laneway
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Alice
Alice Bar, Brisbane dim-lit interior
Alice is an 80s inspired dimly-lit drinking den hidden down a laneway in Brisbane City
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The Copacabana Club
Courtyard at The Copacabana Club Woolloongabba
A secret garden bar inspired by a famous New York Nightclub, where European beer garden meets New York rooftop
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Stratton Bar & Kitchen
Interior of Stratton Bar & Kitchen Newstead
Two historic World War II hangars have been transformed into a spectacular New York-inspired supper club
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Mr Badgers
Booth seating inside Mr Badgers, Woolloongabba Brisbane
Dine within an old-world Brisbane Tram at Mr Badgers, a European inspired deli cafe & bar in Woolloongabba
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Dr Gimlette
Dr Gimlette Brisbane CBD interior bespoke cocktail bar
A splendid bespoke cocktail bar in the stunningly converted base of a heritage multi-level warehouse
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Kazba
Seating at Kazba Middle-Eastern themed bar Fortitude Valley
Kazba is an exotic Middle Eastern themed bar, nestled next door to sibling restaurant Za Za Ta
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Lina Rooftop
Pool with people siting on Lina Rooftop, South Brisbane
Lina Rooftop is a jaw-dropping beach club style rooftop bar/restaurant with infinity pool and sweeping views
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Sunsets Rooftop
Bar with city views at Sunsets Rooftop Kangaroo Point
A stunning desert-themed oasis with Mediterranean-style restaurant and bar perched on top of a residential tower
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Soko Rooftop
People sitting at tables at Soko Rooftop Bar
The Amazonian jungle-inspired rooftop bar and Peruvian-Japanese restaurant is perched atop the Jubilee Hotel
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Lefty's Music Hall
Seating booths, bar and hall inside Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall bar
Lefty's Music Hall is like a lavish honky tonk saloon meets bordello beamed up from the deep south of 19th century America
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Toscano Bar & Kitchen
Interior of Toscano Bar & Kitchen, Brisbane CBD
A stunning Italian cocktail bar and eatery in the base of a century old warehouse
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Le Royale
Interior of Le Royale
Le Royale is a gorgeous moodily-lit cocktail and late-night music lounge bar, located in the heritage site at 169 Mary Street
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Palais at Cloudland
Tables and chairs under lights in Palais at Cloudland, Fortitude Valley
Palais is a late-night escape where music, glamour and good times collide at Cloudland in the heart of Fortitude Valley
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+81 Aizome Bar
Bartenders standing behind bar in +81 Aziome Bar
+81 Aizome Bar is a glamorous 10-seater Japanese bar unlike anything else to be found in Brisbane, hidden behind blue curtains
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Deer Duck Bar
Interior of Deer Duck Bar Auchenflower with dark wood panneled walls
This glamorous bar is like a plush old world lounge in an English manor that has been beamed up onto Milton Rd
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Miss Manhattan
Exterior of Miss Manhattan Newstead
Miss Manhattan is an exquisite bar and dining room where old-world NY meets designer industrial chic in Newstead
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Miss Demeanour
Miss Demeanour Brisbane CBD
This ambient underground eatery and bar is located down Rowes Lane, beneath the historic Rowes building
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Canvas Club
Interior of the Canvas Club bar Woolloongabba
This funky eclectically-furnished cocktail and wine bar has a secret fairy-lit beer garden out back
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Noir
Noir Paddington
The multi-level boutique wine bar is a chic addition to Paddington's Given Terrace dining precinct & it's dog friendly
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Bar Brutus
Exterior at night of Bar Brutus Fish Lane South Brisbane
This tiny 8-seater laneway bar brings an elegant touch of Italy to Fish Lane in South Brisbane
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Before + After
Before + After Bar Brisbane CBD exterior laneway
A secret subterranean Amaro and cocktail bar found down an historic carriageway and located in the basement
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The Junk Bar
Exterior corner view of The Junk Bar New Farm
The Junk Bar is a swoon-worthy, retro drinking den and live music bar in a landmark historic building in New Farm
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Eagles Nest
Table and unbrella on terrace at Eagles Nest Kangaroo Point
Ascend to Eagles Nest, a top notch rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Brisbane River, Story Bridge and city skyline
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Still thirsty for more suggestions on where to grab a drink in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Cheers!

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