Get Sipping With Brisbane’s Best Cocktail Bars
Shaken or stirred?
By Style Journo | 14th June 2024Some featured businesses are sponsored and proudly endorsed by Style. We only promote businesses we love and think our readers will love too!
From lovestruck dates with that special someone to mischievous nights out with the girls, cocktails are the ultimate way to revel in the moment and celebrate the evening.
While a frothy ale at the pub always goes down well, and rooftop drinks are dizzyingly delicious, there’s something tantalising about the fusion of fresh ingredients, skillful mixing and steady pour that only a cocktail bar can serve up. Shaken or stirred, whatever it is you’re drinking to, mark the occasion with a cocktail far more flavoursome than any home concoction.
We’ve taken the guesswork out of ordering with a complete guide to the best cocktail bars in Brisbane to be seen sippin’ in, with our personal orders to boot.
Whether you’re mad for a martini, a chic coupé convert, or a lover of the highball, we’ve got just the watering hole for you.
By the way, we consider everyone in this list the best of the best! To make finding your next favourite that much easier, we’ve ordered the list alphabetically by suburb and also have filtering tabs for your convenience. Did we miss someone from the list? Let us know here! Hide the form
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Bar Kazba
Fortitude Valley
Get ready for a night of disco ball punch, Middle Eastern vegetarian morsels, and after dark DJ sets as you enter Bar Kazba. Tel Aviv nightlife is nothing short of wild and stimulating, and this cocktail bar is bringing Israel’s nocturnal party capital to the heart of Brisbane City. Influenced by the flavours of ancient Arabian spice routes, settle in and indulge in the trail of the month, taking you through each section of the menu including seasonal signatures, fizzy bubbly, sips for sharing, and smoky creations, plus so much more. Get deep into the vibes with their Seven Species sip – an olive oil and date gin creation paired with pomegranate juice, fig liqueur, ‘yallager’ house lager, and fresh Muscat grapes, or order up a Turkish Coffee Martini – a twist on the caffeine cocktail we all know and love. Using Middle Eastern cordials and unique garnishes derived from the region’s produce served in vessels from bazaars all makes for one truly exotic experience.
1st Edition Bar
Fortitude Valley
If you’re a sucker for a superhero series, this hidden bar on California Lane will rival any Comic-Con experience. With walls splashed with superheros and a comic-covered bar top, this intimate space seating 22 will transport you out of Brisbane and straight to Gotham City. Serving up Asian-inspired eats and killer cocktails, keep things wickedly sweet and order Harley Quinn’s dry gin with lemon, fairy floss, gold flakes, and rosé Cuvee. Or perhaps an illusively strong Spidey’s Marg, mixing top-shelf tequila, Cointreau, agave, and lime – either way, you’ll savour every sip. Whether you’re a DC devotee, mad for all things Marvel, or just like trying something a little different, 1st Edition Bar will change the way you drink.
Maker
South Brisbane
One of Fish Lane’s many charms, Maker is a novel cocktail bar Brisbane connoisseurs are drawn to for its undeniably suave scene. With a focus on seasonal creations that are easy on the eyes and packed with flavour, this dark space embodies minimalism, keeping the focus on the cocktails. Crafted with flair, watch as exotic ingredients like marjoram shrub and artichoke are combined by mixologists with your favourite spirits, and served in striking glassware. The copper table top is the perfect setting for each vivid drink, charcuterie cabinet sensation, and seafood plate. Not sure what to order? Tell the team what you like and they’ll create a bespoke creation to satisfy and delight.
Dawn
Brisbane City
This contemporary cocktail bar nestled at the end of Spencer Lane is Brisbane City’s destination for Friday knock-off cocktails. You read right, pouring only one day a week from 4pm, Dawn’s opening hours certainly set them apart. They know their corporate crowd oh so well and perfectly cater to our need for a chilli marg after yet another week on the grind. With an ever-evolving cocktail menu and tasty bites to boot, find yourself drinking alfresco with brilliant DJs on the decks, or inside amongst the green velvet couches and French inspired side tables. Either way, your Friday is looking fabulous!
Gerard’s Bar
Fortitude Valley
A true James Street icon, Gerard’s Bar is loved by locals for its laidback yet sophisticated vibe. Park yourself in their courtyard under their twinkling fairy-lit tree and let the drinks flow as you sip away your worries, and bump into old friends. With a modern interior that commands the small hole-in-the-wall space, Gerard’s bar is just the place to be – and be seen – from 4pm well into the night. With delicious bites to accompany, it’s no wonder getting a seat is tricky, but if you’re keen to keep the good times going, swing on over to Gerard’s Bistro for a meal worth ‘gramming!
Dr Gimlette
Brisbane City
Named after a surgeon in the Royal Navy who was the first to add lime cordial to gin came The Gimlet, and subsequently Dr Gimlette. Inspired by the premier cocktail bars around the globe, expect table service and perfectly executed cocktails curated by none other than Death & Taxes’ Anthony Burke. Boasting luxury Italian leather booths, a nine-metre marble bar, and heritage brickwork, escape the bustle of our CBD and rest easy knowing you can order any and every type of martini, both shaken and stirred from two designated carts. With charming illustrations to help you choose your perfect gimlet, fresh highball, riffed stir down, or luxury concoction, raise your glass in one of Brisbane’s oldest buildings.
Canvas Club
Woolloongabba
This Woolloongabba hangout is splashed with thirsty locals looking for a cocktail bar away from the flurry of the Brisbane CBD. The Canvas Club has made its home inside a heritage-listed building filled with voluptuous vines, candle-lit tables, a hand-painted mural, and other vintage trinkets. A true family experience upon entering, bring the pooch to the outdoor courtyard and have a yarn with the team who are both warm and welcoming. The back bar is stocked with everything you can shake, stir and serve, with a list of 22 decadent cocktails to choose from. Using fresh ingredients with an unpredictable twist, spend a day in the Land of the Long White Cloud, or foresee the night ahead with One 2A.M. Too Many. Plus, don’t miss Blank Canvas Friday where you pick the flavours and the team makes you something you’ll love!
LOS
Fortitude Valley
Thai-inspired cocktails make up the menu of LOS, aka Land of Smiles. Situated above Southeast Asian celebrated restaurant, sAme sAme, this pistachio green rendered bar is tucked away from the James Street flutter. With names that you can’t help smile at, think: Yee-Sip Swizzle with Havana Club 3 años white rum, strawberry, Thai basil, cassia honey, and lime, or the Phuket, I’ll Have Two with Corazon Blanco tequila, pineapple, passionfruit, orgeat, lime, agave, whites, and soda. Sink into a lounge and let the day slide into evening at LOS.
Bar Brutus
South Brisbane
An 8-seater bar bringing a touch of Italy to Fish Lane, Bar Brutus is located under the railway bridge and is the perfect stop for a pre- or post-dinner drink. A sibling for Julius Pizzeria just a hop, skip, and a jump across the lane, the interior of the bar is decked out with marble and timber, and features a large floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the laneway action. Thirsty? Pull up a stoll and quench on with classics such as americano, bellini, negroni, and shagliato, as well as drinks such as Negroni Al Lampone (gin, campari, sloe gin and raspberry), Arancia Rossa (tequila, Solerno blood orange, campari, and lime), or Aperitiki (white rum, aperol, passionfruit, pineapples, and lime) – either way, you’re bound to order another round.
Kiki
South Brisbane
Southside’s little sibling might be small in size, but the cocktails certainly pack a punch. Tucked into the lush surrounds of Fish Lane Town Square, the kiosk offers Asian twists on classic favourites to mix up your sesh. Forget espresso martinis – you’ll be sipping on a Viet iced coffee with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, condensed milk, and coconut. Or fancy a marg? Kiki’s is spicy and icy, with chilli and watermelon. With walk-ins welcome every day of the week, head in on a Sunday and enjoy your sips to the tunes of groovy DJ beats as you enjoy bite after bite of delicious dim sum.
Tetto Rooftop Bar
Everton Park
Can’t make it to Europe this year? Get your Italian fix at this coastal-inspired rooftop bar. Tetto brings the good vibes Tuesday to Sunday, serving up fresh cocktails to thirsty patrons. Perch yourself in their indoor-outdoor terrace space and soak up the sunshine under stripey orange and white beach umbrellas, surrounded by olive trees and posters of Italian coastal villages and beaches. On the menu are Tetto classics with an Italian twist, like the Amalfi Dream, Capri Colada, One Amore Mojito, and more, together with a selection of spritzers ready to be gulped. Stay a while and enjoy a taste of the good life – that’s amore!
Rita’s Tequila & Taqueria
Teneriffe
The best non-Mexican Mexican joint in Brisbane certainly knows how to put together a killer marg! From former Stokehouse Q veterans, Rita’s offers an impressive cocktail and tequila menu that has something to give all thirsts the boot. Starting with the agave classics, crowd favourites include the Paloma with grapefruit and the Naked & Famous that mixes Aperol with mezcal verde to deliver a Rita’s staple. There are also signature cocktails like the Panam with mandarin liqueur and a small but mighty wine and beer offering, but the real kicker are their flavoured margaritas. The choice is yours as you can mix and match flavours to create your perfect sip. Can’t decide? Try coconut and chilli, then thank us later.
Bar Pacino
Brisbane City
With a flair for tantalising flavours and gorgeous riverside views to boot, Bar Pacino has certainly proved itself as an iconic Eagle Street destination. Grab a drink (or a jug) of their delicious cocktails named after Drake songs, like the fruity Popstar or Trust Issues with rum, mandarin, pineapple, and passionfruit (duh!). Those on the ‘gram will probably recognise Bar Pacino for their famous blossom cocktail tree, which is adorned with your choice of four different martinis and served on a backdrop of the Brisbane River in all its glory. When hunger strikes, their Italian-inspired menu is sure to hit the spot, filled with hearty classics and modern twists. Start with a Nutella shot, and let the good times roll!
Savile Row
Fortitude Valley
Nestled discreetly behind an orange door on Ann Street, Savile Row is one of Brisbane’s finest hidden cocktail joints. Inspired by the iconic London Mayfair strip and the aristocracy who resided there, this bar’s atmosphere is as charming as its drinks. With a brand-new cocktail menu featuring 16 cocktails designed to encapsulate the experience of walking down Savile Row, these sips are truly designed to please the most discerning cocktail connoisseurs. With an emphasis on not just the drinks but the space, atmosphere, staff, and guests, a visit to this venue will be immersive and oh-so-impressive.
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