Brisbane's Best Inner-City Bars for After-Work Drinks with Your Coworkers

These rooftop bars, riverside hangouts and wine havens are suitable for both celebrating and commiserating.
Concrete Playground
Published on January 17, 2024
Updated on January 17, 2024
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  • Bar

    Antico

    48 Burnett Lane, Brisbane City

    This Italian-style cocktail bar in Burnett Lane hails from the Death & Taxes and Dr Gimlette crew, and is located in Super Whatnot's old digs.

  • Bar

    Midtown

    15 Manning Street, South Brisbane

    This Fish Lane 40-seater bar hails from the One Fish Two Fish team and heroes martinis.

  • Bar

    The Aviary Terrace Bar

    480 Queen Street, Brisbane City

    A sibling to Queen Street steak restaurant BŌS, this cocktail spot features an 800-square-metre al fresco space and river views.

  • Bar

    The Gatsby Lounge Bar

    740 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    The revamped GPO now boasts a 1920s-themed lounge bar, complete with the venue's old vault.

  • Bar

    Riverland

    167 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    This Eagle Street bar is back after a $3.5-million revamp with a new three-tier waterfront deck.

  • Bar

    Bar Gusto

    601 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills

    This 190-seat Bowen Hills restaurant boasts big Italian Riviera vibes and a terrace perfect for after-work drinks.

  • Bar

    Ardo's Newstead

    22 Wyandra Street, Newstead

    The City Winery team has opened a new neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop in Newstead.

  • Bar

    The Wickham

    308 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley

    This Valley favourite is welcoming Brisbanites back in after a $3.1-million makeover.

  • Bar

    BrewDog Fortitude Valley

    235 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

    Not content with one Brisbane venue, BrewDog has opened a second River City location — a three-level Fortitude Valley beer bar on Brunswick Street.

  • Bar

    Purple Palm

    148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

    This Palm Springs-inspired garden bar in Woolloongabba features a ten-foot wall of gin.

  • Bar

    Riverbar & Kitchen

    71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    Watch the boats slink down the river with an ice-cold cocktail in hand.

  • Bar

    The Lodge Bar & Dining

    49 James Street, Fortitude Valley

    New Zealand clothing label Rodd & Gunn has opened a luxe new bar and restaurant on James Street.

  • Restaurant

    Casa Chow

    148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

    This new pastel-hued Woolloongabba eatery serves up Chinese Peruvian dishes, and hails from the Sasso Italiano crew.

  • Bar

    Tillerman

    71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    Eagle Street boasts a holiday-style seafood restaurant and bar with killer river views from the Naga Thai team.

  • Bar

    Maggie May

    84 Longland Street, Newstead

    This Newstead supper club is Brisbane's gloriously 70s-inspired new go-to for cocktails and all-day bites.

  • Bar

    South City Wine

    148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

    Woolloongabba's go-to for wines from around the world, French-inspired cocktails, steak frites, escargot and freshly shucked oysters.

  • Bar

    SOKO Rooftop

    7 Symes Street, Fortitude Valley

    Towering above the Jubilee Hotel, this luxe 14th-floor restaurant and bar serves up Peruvian and Japanese cuisine.

  • Bar

    Hervé's Restaurant and Bar

    31-37 Collingwood Street, Albion

    Restaurateur and entrepreneur Hervé Dudognon is serving up French-inspired dishes and wine in Albion's revamped timber mill.

  • Restaurant

    BOS

    480 Queen Street, Brisbane City

    Chef Adrian Richardson has opened a new meat-heavy Brisbane restaurant on Queen Street with riverside views.

  • Bar

    Lina Rooftop

    80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane

    This 1500-square-metre beach club-inspired bar with a 30-metre infinity pool sits on a South Brisbane rooftop.

  • Bar

    Valley Hops Brewing

    641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    Towering above Ann Street, this sky-high leafy oasis pairs Valley-brewed beers with pizzas, skewers and cheeseboards.

  • Bar

    Dr Gimlette

    109 Edward Street, Brisbane City

    Located in one of Brisbane's oldest buildings, this new table service-oriented bar hails from the team behind laneway favourite Death and Taxes.

  • Bar

    1st Edition

    22 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley

    Sip Spidey's Margs and Ninja Turtle Negronis at California Lane's new 22-seater, which only takes online bookings.

  • Bar

    Hibiscus Room

    72 Queen Street, Brisbane City

    Perched above the Queen Street Mall, this rooftop bar pairs cocktails, 70s- and 80s-inspired dishes, tropical decor and poolside hangs.

  • Bar

    Stratton Bar and Kitchen

    3 Stratton Street, Newstead

    Serving up cacio e pepe udon and cheeseburger bloody marys next to The Triffid, this new bar and eatery hails from Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen owners Ben and Tarryn Brown.

  • Bar

    Stranded Bar

    3 Winn Street, Fortitude Valley

    Opened by the crew behind The Zoo, this Fortitude Valley bar serves up a mezcal and tequila-heavy drinks menu.

  • Bar

    Fiume Rooftop Bar

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    Peer over the river, hang out on daybeds by the pool and sip cocktails — all on Crystalbrook Vincent's rooftop.

  • Bar

    Savile Row

    667 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    Find the orange door on Ann Street, then sip cocktails beneath a dazzling chandelier at this Fortitude Valley favourite.

  • Bar

    Bar Tano

    15 James Street, Fortitude Valley

    A sibling venue to James Street's Gemelli Italian, pairing Italian wines and cocktails with salumi and cheese.

  • Bar

    The Inchcolm Bar

    73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill

    Restaurant Salon de Co has shut up shop, with this newcomer taking its place.

  • Bar

    Will & Flow

    59B Gardens Point Road, Brisbane City

    Treasury Brisbane's all-day overwater bar serves up a seafood-heavy menu with coffee, spritzes and stellar river views.

  • Bar

    Felons Brewing Co

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    The city’s only riverside brewery is now open inside the Howard Smith Wharves precinct.

  • Bar

    Death and Taxes Brisbane

    36 Burnett Lane, Brisbane City

    This old-school bar hidden down a laneway serves up 500 whiskeys and plenty of cocktails.

  • Bar

    Boom Boom Room

    171 George Street, Brisbane City

    An underground CBD bar located in a heritage-listed former bank.

  • Bar

    Ooh La La Rooftop

    611 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba

    C'est Bon has launched a sky-high new addition, serving up oysters, duck liver parfait eclairs, hot whisky cocktails and city views.

  • Bar

    The Gresham

    308-322 Queen Street, Brisbane

    A step into The Gresham is a step back in time.

  • Bar

    Mr Percival's

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    The octagonal overwater spot is serving up local seafood, many spritzes and European beachside vibes.

  • Bar

    The Parlour

    209 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

    The Italian riviera-themed spot joins Cielo, La Costa and La Valle on Brunswick Street.

  • Restaurant

    Yoko Dining

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    A sprawling riverside restaurant with Japanese food and cocktails.

  • Restaurant

    Greca

    Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane

    A Greek taverna from restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess at Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves precinct.

  • Bar

    La Lune Wine Co

    Shop 5, 109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

    South Brisbane's French-inspired wine bar.

  • Bar

    Osbourne Hotel

    766 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    This Fortitude Valley watering hole has 94 taps, as well as a 400-seat glass-ceiling bistro and beer garden.

  • Bar

    Covent Garden West End

    142 Boundary Street, West End

    Sample gins from around the world at this West End bar.

  • Bar

    Joey's

    29 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point

    The cafe atop Kangaroo Point Cliffs has had a big makeover, but those scenic views remain the same.

  • Bar

    Sea Legs Brewing Co

    89 Main Street, Kangaroo Point

    Pair beers brewed on site with pizzas, burgers, build-your-own charcuterie boards and views of the Story Bridge.

  • Bar

    OTTO Brisbane

    Sidon Street, South Brisbane

    The revamped site now features three Otto ventures, including its restaurant, a waterside bar and an events space.

  • Bar

    Sixteen Antlers

    Corner Ann And Roma Streets, Brisbane

    Sky-high drinks in the Brisbane CBD.

  • Bar

    Stone & Wood Brewery Brisbane

    99 Bridge Street, Fortitude Valley

    The Byron Bay-based label has opened a brewery and taproom in a heritage-listed Valley building.

  • Bar

    Iris Rooftop

    458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

    The Mediterranean-inspired venue is the latest addition to Brunswick Street's new Hotel X.

  • Bar

    La Valle Wine Bar and Bottle Shop

    179 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley

    Drop by to pick up one of the 200-plus bottles of vino on the shelves, or stop for a drink and some cheese.

  • Bar

    Kazba

    1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    This Tel Aviv-inspired spot is serving Turkish coffee martinis, chilli haloumi doughnuts and a cocktail hidden in a novel.

  • Bar

    Cielo Rooftop

    209 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

    Sit on a rooftop, peer over Fortitude Valley and sip cocktails curated by one of Australia's best bars.

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