Overview
Summer is well under way and 2015's just rocked up to the party — what better way to celebrate than with an ice cold beverage. We've searched, navigated and tested the best of Brisbane's new bar scene and the report card is looking good (though beer goggles may have caused easier marking).
From rooftop bars to beer gardens, live music venues to secret hideaways, we present the ten best new bars of summer 2015.
BROOKLYN STANDARD
The first thing we noticed stepping through the CBD laneway door simply marked 'BAR' was the blast of cold air conditioning. Perfection. Take the stairs down to Brooklyn Standard, your newest CBD summer hideout. With a killer live music lineup, American beers and free table pretzels, it seems sometimes the coolest summer bars can be found underground.
Eagle Lane, Brisbane
WOOLLY MAMMOTH ALEHOUSE
Mammoth indeed! This whopper of a venue didn't just take over the Mustang Bar. Upstairs connects through to the old Woodland/Coniston Lane stage now known as Mane Stage. The equally large 'green room' behind it has become just that— the Garden Bar; a Hamptons-style tropical oasis with greenery, clashing patterns, white wood and Pimms on tap. Use the fake green to play bocce or engage in game of giant jenga. During the day, the space is bright and airy — the roof shutters open to let the best of Brisbane's sunshine in.
633 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
SOLEIL POOL BAR
The area once known as Bacchus pool bar has recently underwent a makeover and relaunched as Soleil Pool Bar, a new summer spot in South Bank to be enjoyed by Brisbanites from sunrise to sunset. Tan on the pool deck or lounge around the main bar while DJs spin summer soundtracks of and a team of mixologists stir, shake and serve a brilliant array of cocktails. Soleil invites you to enjoy a poolside party vibe with a little bit of glamour as Brisbane settles in for a summer of fun in the sun.
Rydges South Bank, corner of Grey and Glenelg Streets, South Bank
GYPSIES WAGON
We love a good bar in suburbs, and there is none hotter than Gypsies right now. Space-wise, the intimate diner consists of a dining room out front, and a bar, lounge and ample boardgames in the back. Take your pick from craft beers, bourbon-based cocktails, and of course, the signature Pisco Sour. Sometimes staff can make or break a venue, and Gypsies Wagon have nailed the perfect mix of friendly and knowledgeable, creating a welcoming space that's not at all intimidating. Let it be known, you may not make it out without a spot of Fireball Whisky.
3/281 Pickering Street, Brisbane
BUFFALO BAR
There's a new cowboy in town and he's serving up plenty of exactly what you hoped for — buffalo wings. Chow down on your choice of 12 flavours of wings with celery sticks and blue cheese sauce while sipping on the finest US craft beer, whisky and custom cocktails. New bars mean new surprises, and when we turned up there was a rockabilly three-piece nailing it in the corner. If you want your drinks al fresco, take it out back to the big beer garden.
169 Mary Street, Brisbane
COMMUNAL BAR AND EATHOUSE
Been to Brisbane Square lately? Yeah, you know that daggy space under the library? The shop spaces have been gutted and one side has just opened as Communal, with wood-fired pizza, burgers, share plates, cocktails jugs, craft beer and four white wines on tap (yes, on tap. It’s a thing now, catch up). The other side is now home to Meat & Eat, Chow Down and Cafe Brisbane. Time to gather your friends and #getcommunal.
266 George Street, Brisbane City
NEXT HOTEL
Take the elevator to level four. We've found your new favourite rooftop. Overlooking Queen Street Mall, this openair rooftop is the perfect place to catch the last rays set beyond South Bank. Get a snack, grab a cocktail, and pretend to talk on the phone as though you've flown in from somewhere far away and are here for important business over the weekend — yep, make yourself at home. And if you're game, take a dip in the lap pool. Go on, we dare you.
72 Queen Street, Brisbane
YARD BIRD
Because one food-serving, craft beer-peddling ale house is never enough, the fine folks at Yard Bird have added to its flock. Yard Bird Paddington also offers the same lunch and dinner meals patrons of the Fortitude Valley hang-out have come to know and love. We're talking chicken wings, pizzas, burgers and nachos, among other Tex-Mex nibbles, all made to be washed down with one of the eight beer and cider tipples on tap — or thirty or so others in the fridge.
208 Given Terrace, Paddington
UP ON CONSTANCE
Finally Brisbane. Finally we are starting to build a solid collection of rooftop bars. With an average of 263 days of sunshine per year, it seems silly that we hadn't thrown the tops off them all earlier. Up on Constance sits at the top of the new Tryp Hotel in Fortitude Valley, so start downstairs with a tasty feed at Chur Burger before heading on up for some topless drinking.
20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley
THE TRIFFID
Just hearing about The Triffid makes us wants to pump our fists in the air. Former Powderfinger bassist John Collins has helped turn an old commercial aircraft hangar into a state-of-the-art music venue with a firm focus on bringing the best international, national and local acts to its stage. Talk about a win-win all round. You'll catch us having a sneaky bev and burger in the beer garden before the show.
7-9 Stratton Street, Newstead
MILK FACTORY KITCHEN AND BAR
It seems live music is having another heyday in Brisbane. The Milk Factory is doing it all — music, food, drinks — with a nautical twist. Let your inner pirate choose from one of the many rum-based cocktails and set sail for Japan, then Hawaii, then perhaps Korea with an ever-changing world-inspired menu. We wish we could say they only support pirate-rock bands, but that would be going overboard (sorry).
48 Montague Road, South Brisbane