Brisbane’s bar scene is thriving. Gone are the days where the Vic dominated the market with it’s late night karaoke and cut-priced jugs. Gone are the days where the only options were the City or Valley for a decent night out. Now, Brisbane has legitimately forged a reputation as having a bar scene to rival its’ Southern counterparts. The word is out, the horse has bolted. Let’s get to know the places to go throughout the river city.

The City

In much the same way as the river wraps itself around the CBD, so to do the pockets of bars and precincts that litter the Brisbane landscape. The CBD itself is at the heart of it all, and boasts some of the city’s best bars.

Leading the way in the CBD is The Laneway bar of Spencer Lane and Miss Kay’s on George. While both are typical of the new wave of high quality bars in the City, each has it’s unique style which sets it apart (and above) from the rest. The Laneway bar brings a cosmopolitan culture, amazing wine list and a deep selection of boutique beers and ciders together with award winning chef Alejandro Cancino’s menu.

At Miss Kay’s Burger Bar you will be fed arguably the best burgers in Brisbane. As if that’s not enough, you can wash it down with craft beers, specialty cocktails and ciders. But let’s not kid ourselves, Miss Kay’s is about one thing - Burgers. Did I mention they are delicious?

Honourable Mentions: Cuvee Lounge at Sofitel, Felix on Burnett Lane and Super WhatNot.

Southbank & West End

A few minutes walk from the heart of the city lies Southbank and West End, and the many bars that litter that landscape. Quirky, diverse and alternative are great ways to describe both the area and nightlife, which has morphed into a hub for live music and multi-cultural food.

You can't go past the Archive Beer Boutique and Bistro as a starting point in West End. Situated at the heart of it all on Boundary Street, the bar has a stated aim to ‘increase the level of appreciation of craft beer’ - and with more than 80 varieties on tap, it’s very hard to walk past.

No less impressive are other popular watering holes such as the Rumpus Room, Jungle, The End, Lychee Lounge, Lock ‘n’ Load Bistro, Brisbane Brewing Co and Catchment Brewing Co - just to name a few.

If you've been too busy in the City or Valley to notice, Southbank has grown to house some of the best bars in Brisbane. Whether it’s The Fox with it’s rooftop bar, Saccharomyces Beer Cafe tucked away on Fish Lane, or even the Charming Squire with it’s glass fronted brewery - the quality of bars on offer is second to none. Did I mention Tipler’s Tap with its’ 13 taps on constant rotation and more than 90 different bottles of beer?

Honourable Mentions: Saccharomyces Beer Cafe, Hoo Ha Bar, Brisbane German Club (Yeah, I know it’s not too far from Southbank),

The Valley

Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley has traditionally been home to the late night raver, the early morning extended cab line and of course the dodgy Kebab. While you can still experience these flavours of yesteryear, the savvy bar-goer now has a few more options to their disposal.

While most of the action centres around the mall, the majority of quality bars can be found off the beaten track - like Alfred and Constance. This place is a sample of Brisbane life from past decades. Under two corrugated iron roofs is a mix of the surfing scene of the 60's, a tiki bar, beer garden with giant steaks, vinyl couched rumpus room, antique parlour (complete with grand piano), astro turf in honour of the GABBA, open fireplaces, colonial verandahs, saloon bar and of course a milk bar. Best of all it’s perfectly designed to wander through, drink and plate of food in hand.

But it doesn't stop there, and if cocktails are your thing then you’ll want to make your way to Alfred Street for a visit to the Dutch Courage Officers’ Mess. This 19th century themed cocktail heaven has a focus on Gin,  and a menu designed to share - making it the perfect spot for a late night bite. Try the Spice Trade Punch… you're welcome.

Honourable Mentions: The flying Cock, Woolly Mammoth Alehouse

Riverside

Does it get any better than heading to your favourite bar, grabbing a cold one (or two) and relaxing in the beating Brisbane heat? Yes - doing all that with a view.

Brisbane’s riverside precinct is home to some of the highest quality establishments in this great city, like long time locals Bavarian Bier Cafe or Riverbar and Kitchen. But there’s more to riverside bars than these two favourite’s.

Hamilton’s Byblos Bar is a mediterranean themed has an 18 page drink menu to work through, and with views of the Portside Wharf it’s hard to go past.

The Breakfast Creek hotel is one for the purists, with its’ heritage listed exterior housing one of Brisbane's favourite (and first) watering holes. Back in 1889 the original builder and proprietor William McNaughton Galloway thought that the spot where creek meets river was a prime pub location. Not much has changed in the last 127 years.

There are so many quality Brisbane bars that didn’t make this list in pockets like Newstead, Teneriffe, Newfarm and Hawthorne. As your trusted investigator, unfortunately it falls to me to check whether the reports are true. It looks like this job just got a lot harder.