Toast your favourite people, or the end of a long day, with our guide to the cheeriest Brisbane pubs.

Milestone celebrations. After-work debriefs. Sun-drenched Sunday sessions. Like a seagull to hot chips, my magnetism to pub life is unbudgeable. Whether I’m in the mood for freshly poured pints overlooking the water, golden-crumbed schnittys as big as one’s head, catching the weekend’s sporting triumphs on super-jumbo screens or just a good quality catch-up that won’t break the bank, my favourite Brisbane pubs are just the ticket. Here, I shine a light on the city’s gem drinking holes.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Brisbane pubs, make it The Beaumont Hotel as it’s one of the newer spots in town and after-work crowds flock due to its inner-city location. Plus, they do five unique margaritas to help seal the deal.

1. The Beaumont Brisbane

My favourite Brisbane pub, The Beaumont Brisbane opened in April 2025 and wins instant points for its cruisy rooftop beer garden. It’s in the middle of town, too, so there’s a buzz even before after-work drinks officially ring in. Inspired by Australia’s natural landscapes, it’s flush with caramel and terracotta shades (think umbrellas, soft cushions and timber bench seating) while bursts of greenery add vibrance. The menu also takes its cue from our beloved shores, dotted with Mooloolaba king prawns, stone-fired pizzas with pepper berries here and nduja there, Moreton Bay bug risotto and more. It’s open from 11am between Wednesday and Sunday.

Address: 608 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

2. Bracken Ridge Tavern

If I’m hanging on the northside of Brisbane, Bracken Ridge Tavern is a no-brainer for its outstanding woodfired pizza and chilled-out vibes. The Brisbane pub stalwart underwent significant renovations in 2025, and the results have blended the venue’s renowned warmth with serious contemporary style. Embrace the natural light flooding in over the semi-al fresco dining patio by settling in with cold ones and a menu of those flavour-jammed pizzas plus steaks, ribs, and other pub classics.

Address: 154 Barrett St, Bracken Ridge

3. Regatta Hotel

A Brisbane must-visit, the Regatta Hotel is a titan among the city’s pub scene, located in the riverside suburb of Toowong. Entertaining locals since 1874, the Brisbane pub is unmissable as its white lace-iron verandas transport you to a bygone era. Inside, I can wander between the Front Bar, the Courtyard, the Boatshed fine dining restaurant, and the River Road Cafe, serving your morning caffeine fix from 6:30am. There are also multiple private spaces to hire out (including an intimate Den and Whiskey bar) if you’re planning something special. It opens until the wee hours (3am in the gaming room from Thursday to Saturday), daily.

Address: 543 Coronation Dr, Toowong

4. Story Bridge Hotel

Another Brisbane icon, set right beneath the heritage-listed Story Bridge, is the Story Bridge Hotel. Hydrating patrons since its doors first opened in 1886, the Brisbane pub features a bunch of bars and an always-kicking vibe, particularly in the greenery-splashed Bridge Garden where singles mingle and big-screen TVs air whatever sports are on. Friday and Saturday nights bring some of the best local DJs out to spin their stuff, while the menu is always an occasion, delivering some of the best steaks in town and one legendary Guinness pie.

Address: 200 Main St, Kangaroo Point

5. The Lord Alfred

Got tickets to a game at Suncorp Stadium? Dropping into the Lord Alfred Hotel for a pre-game tipple (or few) is always the first thing on my to-do list. Grab a schooner of your favourite brew and elbow your way through to the upstairs balcony which packs out come game day. I love it up there for people watching as Caxton Street down below is always action-packed. Its historical bones date back to the 1860s so it’s filled with authentic character, and $16 weekly lunch specials are a great deal. The hot tip: get there on Wednesdays to score a kilogram of smoky barbecue wings for $25.

Address: 68 Petrie Tce, Brisbane

6. The Normanby Hotel

Featuring yet another one of my favourite fun-fuelled beer gardens in the city, The Normanby Hotel is a vibrant spot that’s always humming. I like to set up shop within the mammoth al fresco space or its Public Bar (where all the live sporting streams are), Bistro or multiple balconies. No matter where you’re perched, this most-loved pub is a guaranteed good time. Weekly entertainment includes Wednesday trivia nights and live music from Friday to Sunday.

Address: 1 Musgrave Rd, Red Hill

7. Jubilee Hotel

Looking for something more sleek than sentimental? At the Jubilee Hotel in the inner city, you’ll score the best of both worlds. Built in 1887, it’s a heritage-listed haunt with an incredible history but recent years have seen it transformed into a contemporary mecca for classy (and sometimes not-so-classy) revelry. Two levels, decked out with polished timber floors house big group gatherings and intimate date nights as a stream of crafty cocktails, top-shelf booze and beautifully executed pub grub keeps the party going into the late hours.

Address: 470 St Pauls Tce, Fortitude Valley

8. The Plough Inn

No visit to South Bank is complete without a cheeky wine or pint inside The Plough Inn. The sprawling Brisbane pub spills over with infectious good vibes, encompassing a main two-level bar with an ornate balcony that overlooks the strip, a covered two-story entertainment space and further seating in the beer garden. Whenever you visit, there’s always something special going on, including Local’s Day on Wednesday which includes a meal and a drink, and there’s live music over the weekend.

Address: 29 Stanley Plaza, South Bank

9. The Rose & Crown

A grand Brisbane pub that blends its Queensland bones with English-inspired wining and dining, The Rose & Crown in South Bank is worth a pint or two. The 19th-century building, complete with lace-iron balconies, French doors, original fixtures and ornate finishes, is built with multiple areas to cosy into. Whether you’re somewhere inside, lost in a homely nook, or perched within an al fresco space, you can take your pick from a smorgasbord of beers, wines and spirits, plus traditional English meals (yep, a scotch egg and pork scratchings are both there). Head over on Sunday to score a Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding and mini puddings for dessert, too.

Address: 271 Grey St, South Brisbane

10. Breakfast Creek Hotel

One of the most legendary Brisbane pubs, the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Albion, located in the north-eastern suburbs of the city, is a must-visit. It’s renowned for its live footy match screenings, which draw huge crowds, propelling this Brisbane pub’s ambience to soaring heights. In November 2025, its new-look Spanish Garden Steakhouse and pizza kitchen upgraded its menus, while more exciting bar upgrades (including extra outdoor dining spaces) are set to roll out in 2026. Make sure you check out its selection of rum, one of the largest collections in the southern hemisphere.

Address: 2 Kingsford Smith Dr, Albion

11. Koala Tavern

Beloved by my little ones, Koala Tavern is a laid-back Brisbane pub with one especially wonderful, family-friendly beer garden. Complete with a playground (every pub parent’s dream come true, right?), the space is dressed in faux grass so kids can run around with greater ease. Regular events include Trivia Thursday and live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. And, arguably most importantly, the meals are abundantly served and always finessed.

Address: 36-40 Moreton Bar Rd, Capalaba

12. The Glen Hotel

Speaking of places my kids are into, I recommend getting amongst the Brisbane ‘burbs with a family-friendly session at The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains. An incredible outdoor play area fitted with a life-size model tractor, cubby holes and other fabulous time-suckers will keep little ones happy while the beer garden’s very convenient vantage point helps you keep watch. The food is always generously portioned, and there’s even a cafe menu that offers a range of desserts, gelato and coffee. Everyone is endlessly sorted at this great Brisbane pub.

Address: Corner Logan Rd and Gaskell St, Eight Mile Plains

13. Frogs Hollow Saloon

If you’re keen to escape scorching conditions outside, Frogs Hollow Saloon in Brisbane’s CBD is a stellar, dimly lit choice. A hipster hang adored by the city’s in-the-know hospitality scene, it’s moody yet relaxed, offering an ideal sanctuary where mixology excels. A little bit country (don’t miss the whiskey range) and a whole lot of fun, it’s a late-night gem to mix with the coolest of kids. It’s open from midday until 1am daily.

Address: 26 Charlotte St, Brisbane

14. QA Hotel

It mightn’t look like much from the outside, but the QA Hotel, also known as the Queens Arms Hotel, is a historical Brisbane pub with plenty to fall for. Built in 1884, it’s in fact one of the oldest surviving pubs in the area. It’s been spruced up multiple times since its arrival, and the current iteration is a warm and contemporary space with touches of exposed brick and timber in various shades of chocolate. Fill your belly with an extensive menu of pizzas, pastas, burgers, grilled meats, salads and starters and keep spirits high with, well, spirits, shaken and stirred to pastel-hued perfection.

Address: 64 James St, New Farm

15. The Pineapple Hotel

Lovingly dubbed ‘The Piney,’ Kangaroo Point’s Pineapple Hotel is a rowdy Brisbane institution that’s always entertaining. Family-owned and family-friendly, the hot spot is the place to visit if you’re on your way to The Gabba stadium, as it’s less than a ten-minute walk from the venue. Other drawcards include live screenings of every footy match imaginable and Wednesday night trivia.

Address: 706 Main St, Kangaroo Point

16. The Transcontinental Hotel

Right across the road from Roma Street Station, The Transcontinental Hotel is an outstanding place for after-work drinks. The heritage-listed beauty, built in 1888, features multiple bars in addition to a beer garden and dining hall, and each space is roomy enough to house your gathering without feeling as though you’re on top of other groups. Expect beautifully executed classics, including chicken parmi, steaks and burgers, on the menu, as well as internationally inspired small plates.

Address: 482 George St, Brisbane