The Best Waterfront Venues in and Around Brisbane That Serve Drinks with a View All Year Round

Make the most of Brisbane's usually balmy weather with a spritz or meal by the water.
Concrete Playground
Published on October 11, 2024
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  • Bar

    B-SIDE

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    Yoko Dining now boasts an upstairs record bar with boozy slushies, ramen and miso caramel soft serve.

  • Restaurant

    Black Hide Steak and Seafood

    33 William Street, Brisbane City

    Black Hide's Queen's Wharf restaurant is Brisbane's new go-to for steak, seafood and cocktails with a view.

  • Bar

    Cicada Blu

    33 William Street, Brisbane City

    This sky-high Brisbane cocktail spot sits 100 metres above the city on Queen's Wharf's Sky Deck.

  • Restaurant

    Supernormal Brisbane

    443 Queen Street, Brisbane City

    Andrew McConnell has expanded his Melbourne restaurant to Brisbane, bringing its lobster rolls and Asian-influenced dishes to a prime riverside location.

  • Bar

    Portside Social

    39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

    You'll find pints, parmigianas and games of pool at this Hamilton gastropub at Portside — and burgers, ribs and boozy bottomless weekend brunches, too.

  • Bar

    Bar Miette

    443 Queen Street, Brisbane City

    Andrew McConnell's hospitality empire has arrived in Brisbane with this Euro-leaning terrace cafe and wine bar.

  • Restaurant

    Riva Kitchen & Events

    285 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton

    If you're after cruisy breakfasts, brunches and lunches with a view, you'll find them at Northshore Brisbane's airy riverside eatery.

  • Bar

    Kirra Beach House

    4 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

    Part of the Kirra Point Precinct, this oceanfront drinking and dining spot boasts cabanas, cocktail bars and a seafood barbecue area.

  • Bar

    Babylon Garden

    145 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    This two-tier waterfront bar on Eagle Street cascades down to the river, and serves up Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean bites and cocktails.

  • Bar

    Kirra Beach Hotel

    2 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

    This Gold Coast favourite returned in late 2023 after a three-year absence — and now sprawls across 1300 square metres.

  • Bar

    The Belvedere

    Oxley Avenue, Woody Point

    Woody Point's 122-year-old pub has relaunched after a $10-million-plus redevelopment.

  • 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

    Riverbar & Kitchen

    71 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

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

  • Bar

    Massimo Restaurant & Bar

    123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    Get a taste of the Amalfi Coast with bottomless lunch and Aperol spritzes on Eagle Street.

  • Bar

    Oasis

    Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    This new $10-million floating bar is hosting parties on the Brisbane River.

  • Restaurant

    La Boca Bar and Grill Brisbane

    Margaret Street, Brisbane City

    Stamford Plaza Brisbane is now home to an Argentinian bar and grill by the river.

  • Restaurant

    Babylon Brisbane

    145 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    Sydney's Babylon has launched a 120-seat Brisbane restaurant by the river on Eagle Street.

  • Bar

    TGI Fridays Surfers Paradise

    2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

    Surfers Paradise is now home to the American bar and grill chain's first-ever beachside venue.

  • Bar

    La Luna Beach Club

    74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

    The Gold Coast is now home to Australia's first European-inspired floating beach club.

  • Restaurant

    La Luna Dining

    74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach

    Cider mussels, lobster rolls and pineapple margaritas are on the menu at this Seaworld Drive restaurant, which is part of La Luna Beach Club.

  • Bar

    Breakfast Creek Hotel

    2 Kingsford Smith Drive, Albion

    With 12 cuts of prime Queensland beef and 400 varieties of rum, The Breakfast Creek Hotel still has the goods, even after 130 years.

  • Bar

    BrewDog DogTap Brisbane

    77 Metroplex Avenue, Brisbane

    Open since 2019, the Scottish brewery's first Aussie outpost has arcade games, brunch fare and a bottle shop.

  • Bar

    Mr Percival's

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    The octagonal overwater spot at Howard Smith Wharves serves up seafood, spritzes and European beachside vibes.

  • Bar

    Regatta Hotel

    543 Coronation Drive, Toowong

    Drink riverside at this Brisbane institution with a jam-packed history.

  • Restaurant

    Sono

    39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

    Japanese fine dining on the Brisbane River.

  • Restaurant

    Greca

    Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane

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

  • Bar

    Sandstone Point Hotel

    1800 Bribie Island Road, Sandstone Point

    Join the revelry at this expansive waterside pub.

  • 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.

  • Restaurant

    Patina at Customs House

    399 Queen Street, Brisbane City

    Here you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or high tea overlooking the Story Bridge.

  • 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

    Felons Brewing Co

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    Howard Smith Wharves' riverside brewery.

  • Bar

    Burleigh Pavilion

    43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads

    With seats basically on the sand, this Gold Coast eatery and bar serves up seafood and cocktails to help you make the most of that beachside view.

  • Restaurant

    Yoko Dining

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    A sprawling riverside restaurant with Japanese food and cocktails.

  • Restaurant

    Stanley

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    A two-level Cantonese bar and restaurant at Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves.

  • 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

    Bribie Island Hotel

    29 Sylvan Beach Esplanade, Bellara

    Following a $2.2 million revamp, this refurbed hotel now boasts a big fairy light-lit beer garden.

  • Bar

    Revel Brewing Co Rivermakers

    82 Colmslie Road, Morningside

    Brisbane’s eastside has a new beer-drinking go-to — a second venue for this local brewery, complete with shady umbrellas, fairy lights, and karaage chicken and burgers on the menu.

  • Bar

    Coast Beach Bar & Kitchen

    86 Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

    Surfers Paradise just scored a glam new dining spot with uninterrupted ocean views.

  • Bar

    Mews

    5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

    Howard Smith Wharves' resident hotel is now home to a new street art-filled restaurant.

  • Bar

    Maniax Gold Coast

    Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

    The Viking-themed axe-throwing chain has opened its second Queensland venue on the Gold Coast.

  • Restaurant

    El Camino Cantina Surfers Paradise

    2 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

    The Tex Mex chain's 250-seat Surfers Paradise joint is its first with beach views — and a breakfast menu.

  • Bar

    Blackbird Bar & Grill

    123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    Nothing screams 'Queensland summer' quite like champagne and seafood on the waterfront

  • Bar

    Il Molo

    1b Oxford Street, Bulimba

    Home to pappardelle and chocolate and raspberry doughnuts.

  • 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 Alto

    Level 1 Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm

    Life is beautiful on the upper deck of the Brisbane Powerhouse.

  • Restaurant

    Medley Cafe & Restaurant

    62 Wharf Street, Kangaroo Point

    Enjoy a delicious global-inspired meal with a delightful Brisbane view.

  • Bar

    Pig 'N' Whistle Riverside

    123 Eagle Street, Brisbane City

    A slice of Britain on the banks of the Brisbane River.

  • Bar

    Eagles Nest

    21 Lambert Street, Kangaroo Point

    The best view of Brisbane, from 12 storeys up.

  • Bar

    Byblos Bar

    39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

    Byblos is where the north-easterners flock on a Sunday afternoon.

  • Bar

    Brisbane Jazz Club

    1 Annie St, Kangaroo Point

    Coopers on tap, RSL alcohol prices, some of the nation’s best talent.

  • Restaurant

    Madame Wu

    Upper Plaza Level, Riparian Plaza, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane

    Let Madame Wu give you a real taste of Asian dining, with the occasional gastronomic thrill and a view to match.

  • Bar

    Popolo

    3 Sidon Street, Southbank

    Located in the new Sidon Street/River Quay precinct on the riverfront at South Bank, Popolo has refined the art of river-watching and wine drinking.

  • Bar

    Customs House

    399 Queen Street, Brisbane

    Indulge with friends and feel like royalty at Customs House's decadent high tea.

  • Bar

    Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel

    East Coast Road, Point Lookout

    Nestled on the headland just a few short steps from the ocean.

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