The best Brisbane bars to let the good times roll

Toast the weekend with the city’s most fun-loving locals at the best Brisbane bars.

Flushed with mixology masterminds and hospitality trailblazers, Brisbane exploits its after-dark potential in style. Scattered throughout burgeoning entertainment precincts, and often blessed with water views, I really believe Brisbane bars are among the best on the planet.

From waterfront marvels and laneway gems to unassuming holes-in-the-wall and bustling al fresco spaces, the best Brisbane bars unleash guaranteed good times. Let me spin you through the city’s most exceptional, one lazy session at a time…

In short

If you only visit one Brisbane bar, make it Stan’s Lounge within Howard Smith Wharves. It’s just so uniquely glam, paying homage to the ritz of Hong Kong nightlife, and the tunes are always killer.

1. Isoletto Pool Club

food and drinks at Isoletto Pool Club, Brisbane — Isoletto Pool Club takes classic cocktails to the next level. (Image: The Star Brisbane)

As a Gold Coast local, I was initially dazzled by Isoletto Pool Club within The Star at Broadbeach, so it was music to my ears to learn the brand spread its wings further north. Mirroring the Glitter Strip’s luxurious European-inspired day club, the Brisbane iteration flows with three infinity pools overlooking the Brisbane River, a sauna and steam room, a gym, signature wet lounges constructed within the pool to immerse yourself without running your blow-dry, and of course, one heavily stocked bar. The only hitch? You’ll need to stay at The Star Brisbane to gain access. Seriously worth the consideration, given you’re far from slumming it across its multiple five-star accommodation options.

Address: Level 7, The Star Brisbane, 33 William St, Brisbane

2. Winnifred’s

15,000 bottles of Champagne (as in, the real stuff) to choose from. More than 300 cuvées. There is nothing I don’t like about Winnifred’s in Brisbane’s inner-city. This place is such a great option for quality bubbles by the glass, perched up on a bar stool at a luxe green granite bar. Hot tip: follow the team’s Instagram for fresh imports recommended by experts and accompanied by tasting notes. A gorgeous spot in the city to treat yourself, and if your appetite swells, there’s a menu of French-inspired dishes utilising peak local produce.

Address: 34 Arthur St, Fortitude Valley

3. Stan’s Lounge

alfresco dining at Stan’s Lounge, Brisbane — Stan’s Lounge channels old-world Hong Kong vibes. (Image: Markus Ravik)

Elevating Stanley at Howard Smith Wharves to all-new heights (literally), Stan’s Lounge is my favourite kick-on spot. Perched above the fine dining restaurant, I’m instantly transported to a deeply exclusive Hong Kong speakeasy from the moment I step inside. Taking inspiration from the Chinese city, the vibe is sexy on steroids — think velvet furnishings, mirrored wall features, brass tables and a solid palette of jewel upon dark. The drinks are smashing, spanning classics done to perfection as well as imaginative signature concoctions. Snack-wise, it’s a new-world homage to old-school Hong Kong as refined Cantonese-inspired plates, like crayfish San Choy Bao and lobster and truffle dumplings, send spirits soaring. The cherry on top? There’s a separate secretish area at the front of the bar that stares directly out over the Brisbane River.

Address: Upstairs at Stanley, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane

4. The Beaumont

a woman enjoying drinks at The Beaumont, Brisbane — The Beaumont’s signature cocktails are unmissable.

Opened in April 2025, The Beaumont adds yet another high-flying hot spot to Brisbane’s rooftop bar scene. What I love about this one is how relaxed the place feels, entirely unpretentious no matter how late I’m up there as top-notch pub grub cements its beer garden vibes. Expect classic cocktails plus a series of signature creations (the Aussie Sunrise is a standout, embracing native ingredients like finger lime and Kakadu plum), while the food menu spans woodfired pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and smaller snacks.

Address: 608 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

5. Above Rooftop

a woman eating by the pool at Above Rooftop, Brisbane — Enjoy Middle Eastern-inspired bites by the pool.

Speaking of rooftop hijinks, Above Rooftop atop Ovolo opened its doors at the end of October 2025 and crowds are already flocking. It gives serious day club vibes, complete with the hotel’s famed swimming pool, as DJs spin their magic while drinks flow and a menu of Middle Eastern-inspired bites line tummies. Go for a cocktail (can you tell I love them?) – I recommend one of the boozy slushies: the Twilight mixes strawberry, vodka and Davidson plum, and the Aurora shakes tequila, coconut milk and pineapple. A serious tropical island fix without leaving Brisbane city.

Address: Ovolo The Valley, 1000 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

6. Maker

A sliver in the wall along Fish Lane, right near South Bank in Brisbane’s CBD, Maker is a slick operation I can’t resist dropping into. A shimmering 7.5-metre brass bar slings low, where I always choose to sit for a good look at the action. The gang are supremely talented, shaking and stirring the classics with precision while spinning seasonal ingredients into smooth, far-too-drinkable winners. You’ll struggle to avoid a gourmet toastie if they’re already cooking on in the sandwich press (melted cheese is my kryptonite). Or perhaps it’s something from the charcuterie cabinet that’ll hook you…

Address: 9 Fish Lane, South Brisbane

7. Canvas Club

the secret garden at Canvas Club, Brisbane — The secret garden offers a lush hangout place for beer lovers.

See that vintage tailors on the main road in Woolloongabba? Trust me, it’s a vibe. Canvas Club is a cocktail and tapas bar serving up high-quality concoctions, spirits, beers and wine alongside delicious small plates (and Rodriguez & Co tailor is just for show, by the way). It’s entirely intimate and secret squirrel-feeling, led by the 1940s-inspired decor and living room-friendly interiors, and that’s before you find The Tailors, its Friday night jazz-filled speakeasy past dressing room mirrors right next door to Canvas. One of the best Brisbane bars, there’s even a secret beer garden dotted with leafy foliage and fairy lights.

Address: 16 Logan Rd, Woolloongabba

8. Death & Taxes

the bar counter at Death & Taxes, Brisbane — Pull up a leather chair at this speakeasy-style cocktail and whisky bar.

Pick your poison from more than 500 whiskeys (if you don’t believe the count, take a look at the haul crawling up the wall behind the bar) at Death & Taxes . One of the best Brisbane bars to propel the city’s thriving laneway culture, the dimly lit space is filled with rich leather bar stools and leather booths dotted with candles. Drinks-wise, you’re obviously spoilt for choice but don’t miss masterful cocktails that pay tribute to Hollywood film stars, fictional characters and Aussie legends like Layne Beachley (tropical like a Harvey Wallbanger) and Kath & Kim (zesty like a mojito).

Address: 36 Burnett Ln, Brisbane

9. Pawn & Co.

Pawn & Co. perfumery in Brisbane — Pawn & Co. doubles as a perfumery. (Image: Dominic Loneragan)

There’s nothing in Australia, let alone Brisbane, like Pawn & Co. . As wickedly peculiar as the hideaways more often found in New York (I’m reminded so much of Manhattan’s Beauty & Essex), this Brisbane bar doubles (well, triples) as a perfumery, where you can create your own scent, and a pawn shop as you can purchase everything in the bar for the right price. Then there are the drinks. Don’t be surprised to see them smoke up a storm or pour right out of glass perfume bottles. It’s theatrical and barrels of fun.

Address: 680 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

10. The Old Seven

fromagerie and charcuterie menu at The Old Seven, Brisbane — The fromagerie and charcuterie menu is the main drawcard at The Old Seven.

A suburban star located about 20 minutes from the CBD, The Old Seven in Camp Hill is a charming wine bar stocked with dreamy, cheesy accompaniments. The fromagerie and charcuterie menu stalks the globe for outstanding delicacies, and the team even turn some of their most suited cheeses into piping hot jaffles. Chase the gourmet treasures down with exceptional international wines, including a whopping 60 available by the glass.

Address: 567 Old Cleveland Rd, Camp Hill

11. Bar Miette

the elegant setting at Bar Miette, Brisbane — The elegant Bar Miette is the ultimate spot for a sundowner. (Image: Josh Robenstone)

Found within Queen’s Wharf Brisbane entertainment precinct, Bar Miette is elegant, Instagram-perfect and overlooking the Brisbane River. I squint hard enough to imagine it’s the Seine, actually. Nodding to the bistros of Europe from a look-and-feel perspective, this Brisbane bar’s drinks go bigger, taking inspiration from every corner of the globe. Don’t miss the Champagne list, which flies into extreme high-roller territory, as well as the limoncello for a real sense of escapism.

Address: 443 Queen St, Brisbane

12. Southside Garden Bar

What used to be Kiki, right out the front of Southside in Fish Lane, is closed until January 2026, but that doesn’t stop me from grabbing a cheeky at Southside Garden Bar when I’m in the neighbourhood. An inner-city sanctuary set amongst lush subtropical greenery, the bar at one of Brisbane’s best restaurants is an enthralling oasis that envelops guests. The cocktail menu is always tempting, nailing classics like an espresso martini (my husband rates these as some of the best in town) and punchy creativity. Plus, there’s a broad list of wines and beers to help set the tone.

Address: 63 Melbourne St, South Brisbane

13. Cobbler

preparing a cocktail drink at Cobbler, Brisbane — Cobbler makes impressive cocktails all night.

If you’re serious about your whiskey, this one’s for you. Cobbler is home to more than 500 varieties, and they’re stacked high behind a beautiful, ornate bar. They do stellar cocktails, too, doused with fruity and seasonal flavours, but it’s all about the hard stuff at this bar. Choose your favourite and sink into one of the leather bar stools, leather dining chairs or that all-too-delicious chocolate leather lounge.

Address: 7 Browning St, West End

14. Savile Row

a look inside Savile Row, Brisbane bar — Savile Row is a top spot for spirit purists.

While we’re in the mood for top-shelf whiskey, let me shine a light on Savile Row . Peek behind an orange door to uncover yet another ode to the hard stuff, boasting more than 900 spirits, including hundreds of whiskeys. It’s a spot for spirit purists with a range of sherry and amaro up for grabs. Award-winning cocktails (these guys took out Australian Bartender magazine’s Australia’s Whiskey Bar of the Year award in 2025 following several earlier accolades) are solidly streamed, expertly blended to let the flavours of these extraordinary spirits oh-so-subtly shine.

Address: 667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

15. The Gresham Bar

The Gresham Bar, Brisbane — The Gresham Bar is renowned for its beautiful range of rum and whiskey. (Image: Sean Waters)

Wrap your lips around the city’s hardest-to-source spirits and liquors at The Gresham Bar . Renowned for its beautiful range of rum and whiskey, as well as its fierce mixology chops, the popular inner-city sanctuary takes pride in old-school hospitality and its historical 1880s digs. Quench your thirst (go for a spirit tasting flight if the options are overwhelming) before sinking your teeth into small bites like toasties and cheese boards.

Address: 308 Queen St, Brisbane City

16. The Nixon Room

a vine-covered alley leading to The Nixon Room, Fortitude Valley — This intimate little bar is tucked in a vine-covered alley.

Brought to you by the team behind Essa, one of the best Brisbane restaurants, The Nixon Room is a completely charming next-door small bar that hooks the cool kids. Firstly, the interior is every shade of chocolate, dotted with trendy furnishings, and then there’s the fact that there’s space for just 25 guests at a time, so it’s instantly exclusive. The martinis are crowd pleasers; however, a smart edit of wine and beer also impresses. DJs spinning vinyl provide the icing on the cake.

Address: Unit 3, 181 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley

17. Babylon Gardens

While many love its fine dining restaurant, I like Babylon Brisbane for a scenic pre-dinner tipple on the water. Set right off the Brisbane River and offering seriously soothing views, the Brisbane bar is al fresco and spills over with good vibes. A perfect place for singles keen to mingle, it attracts large groups of revellers, so get there early to secure a central spot. A menu of signature cocktails runs the entire taste spectrum, and there’s also a bunch of spritzes, wine and beer to consider.

Address: Babylon Brisbane, 145 Eagle St, Brisbane

18. Mr. Percival’s

Mr. Percival’s with views of Brisbane River — Imbibe signature concoctions overlooking the picturesque Brisbane River.

An original star of Howard Smith Wharves, Mr. Percival’s was one of the first cool kids on the historical wharfage block. Set right over river beneath Story Bridge, the location is unbeatable. I like to grab one of the bar stools so I’m right in the action, but finding a table next to the expansive windows also offers an epic, river-flooded photo backdrop. Feeling outdoorsy? Grab a spot on the deck under a blush pink umbrella. Multiple spritzes scatter the menu, as do cocktail jugs, wine and beer, plus you can line your belly with snacky share plates like prawn cocktail rolls, fried calamari and arancini balls. An instant party starter, no matter when you arrive.

Address: Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane

Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

Getting there

car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland — Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

Best accommodation in Clermont

Theresa CreekDam in clermont — Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

Things to do in Clermont

three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting — Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland — See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

meal at Commercial Hotel — Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.