Brisbane means a lot of things to a lot of different people. More than two million people call this city home — and odds are that if you've been living here for a while, you probably think you know it pretty well. But the reality is, no matter how much time you spend somewhere, you'll find that it's still capable of taking you by surprise.
With that in mind, we've turned to some of Brisbane's top creatives to take us on a tour of their favourite bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, galleries and public spaces. Coming at you over the next couple of weeks, their hot tips will have you looking at your city in an entirely different light.
First up, it's architect and event organiser Morgan Jenkins (above, left). "I love living in Brisbane because it’s got a sense of humour as a city," he says. "There's a lot of great stuff starting to happen because instead of complaining about things, interesting people are investing their time into doing interesting things."
This enterprising spirit is shared by Morgan himself, who created Woolloongabba's The End of the Line Festival. Planning is currently underway for the next edition of the festival, which is scheduled to take place on October 24. But there's plenty of weekend fun to be had between now and then. Here are Morgan's top five tips on what to do over a Brisbane weekend.
SURF AT NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND
I’d start with a surf at North Stradbroke Island. The ferry is only a 30-minute drive from my house in Woolloongabba. This is one of my favourite spots on the planet. Leaving the mainland, even for a couple of hours, is often much needed after the week of work.
BREAKFAST AT PEARL CAFE
Pearl Cafe is a pearler of a cafe in Woolloongabba. The little Logan Road cul-de-sac is just a short stroll from where I live and it's my go-to for an easy weekend outing. The food is hearty but contemporary, so you might end up having duck eggs and bacon for breakfast.
BEERS AT THE BOWLS CLUB
Warm afternoons definitely call for beers and a spot of bowls at Merthyr Bowls Club on the river. This is the perfect place to enjoy living in our city as it's outside in the sun, right on the river and it has an incredible relaxed atmosphere (at 1970s prices).
DINNER AT CROSSTOWN EATING HOUSE
Do dinner at Crosstown Eating House in Woolloongabba. This place has always been my go-to dinner destination locally. Relaxed dining but really unpretentious, great service and food quality, good tunes and a good atmosphere.
SEE A LIVE GIG
A weekend isn't complete without live music somewhere: a small gig at The End in West End, something mellow at The Tivoli or The Triffid, or something a bit heavier at The Zoo. These places are all golden venues for live music and a good time.
By Imogen Baker and Tom Clift.
Top image: Pearl Cafe by night.