Brisbane is a beautiful and vibrant city, filled with friendly locals and enjoying an enviable climate all year round. If you’re planning a visit to Brisbane, you’re probably up to date with the tourist attractions you want to see and where you’re going to stay.


Photo: Andrew Scott

What you might not know, however, is that apart from the many wonderful tourist attractions that Brisbane has on offer, it boasts a large selection of entertainment venues that keep locals and tourists entertained. All you need to do is buy your travel insurance and book your tickets because we’ve got you covered with the best places to eat, drink and play in Brisbane.


Eat

• Brisbane is one of the most exciting cities in Australia for food, and more and more innovative chefs are coming to Brisbane each year.
• If you’re looking for high-end cuisine, the Brisbane institution Montrachet is a must.
• Grasshopper Asian Kitchen blends funky modernism with traditional Asian fare to great effect.
• Run by celebrity chef Matt Moran, Aria is a sophisticated and modern restaurant that embodies all of the elegance and style of big city dining with the unique atmosphere that makes Brisbane so special.
• Enoteca is an Italian restaurant that makes a meal of its wine list. With a downstairs cellar and top quality ingredients, you’ll be having one or two vinos here for sure, so it’s best you don’t drive.

 Drink

• When it comes to going out on the town, Brisbane is definitely the place to be. At the forefront of the Australian music scene and with a strong passion for electronic and dance music, Brisbane is just waiting to show you a good time.
• For dancing, good music and a lot of fun, Family Nightclub is an iconic place to shake a tail feather
• For a more relaxed, laid back vibe, the Story Bridge Hotel is a quintessentially Aussie pub—so much so that it even features cockroach racing on Australia Day!
• If you want some good live indie music, The Zoo is a Brisbane icon, having played host to some of the best alternative music acts since opening in 1992.
• For a top-quality brewski, the Archive Beer Boutique on Boundary St is a must-visit. Taste your way through the nectar of the gods with a brilliant ambience to go with it.
• The Victoria Hotel, after a devastating fire in 2008, is back open for business and features one of the best beer gardens in the state. Perfect for whiling away those steamy tropical nights with a cold drink in hand.

Brisbane’s nightlife and entertainment scene has undergone a revival in the last few decades. Once ironically nicknamed ‘Brisvegas’ for a perceived lack of nightlife, the locals have taken the insult and made it their own, turning Brisbane into a thriving hot spot to rival any major city. With most Brisbane apartments and hotels central to the city and all the action, it’s possible to simply duck outside any night of the week for a bite to eat, a boogie, or a quiet drink with some friendly locals.