Secret’s Out, 11 Of The Best Underground & Hidden Bars In BNE

If good times are your thing, then you’ll find them pumping six days a week at this underground ode-to-NYC bar just off Eagle Street. Brooklyn Standard is where the vibe is high and the party is happening all night long. What sets them apart isn’t just the expert bartending team, but their cracking live music each night with funk, rock and roll, Mariachi, RnB, and everything in between. A quick look on their Facebook page will uncover the week ahead line-up of rocking music, so you can get your hips shakin’. After a boogie on the d-floor, get stuck into the American-inspired menu with fries, wings, burgers, and bar snacks.

For those who can’t turn down the nectar of a neat glass of whisky, this hidden bar in Brisbane is your new night haunt. Find the grim reaper waiting on Burnett Lane – Brisbane’s oldest laneway – and follow him through to what is dubbed the only things you can be sure of in life – Death & Taxes. Inspired by the underground bar scene in London and Paris, it boasts an ever-growing collection of over 1000 spirit bottles, century-old floors, deep buttoned leather booths, and arched wooden bookshelves. Winning whisky bar accolades for the past two years, you can count on their selection of aged, big-flavoured classics as you slowly savour each sip. If you prefer something a taste more experimental, opt for what has now become a household name among guests – a Death & Taxes OG whisky cocktail!

This opulent vintage lounge bar and hidden treasure in Fortitude Valley is a must-do while on a night out in Brisbane. Step inside the out-of-place orange door on Ann Street and peel back the curtains to reveal a slice of central London – it’s where the name is from, after all. Experience a glorious old-school chandelier glowing above you and incredible views of the wide-scape spirit bar from every angle. With a carefully curated cocktail list, Savile Row is where tailored drinking is at its finest (psst…there are over 900 spirits to choose from!). Whether it’s an intimate setting for you and a plus one or a social gathering, there are delightful seating and standing areas for all to sip and be merry.

Follow the sound of saxophones underground to experience Brisbane’s home of blues, funk, and soul. The Doo-Bop Bar is a basement brought to life every Friday and Saturday after sundown with world-class jazz performed by local and international artists alike. With exposed brickwork and thick wooden beams from the original Federation-era warehouse, it holds an old-world ambiance that pairs perfectly with jazz. Whether you’re fueling your night with a feast or making your way down the cocktail list, head to The Doo-Bop Bar’s socials to view the lineup and settle in for a night of rhythm and movement in true Miles Davis style.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of Brisbane City (and a hop away from Queen Street Mall) exists a hidden laneway across the road from the big labels: Louis V and Bvlgari. Head down the rabbit hole and you’ll find the moody Miss Demeanour laneway bar. Since re-opening after lockdown, Miss D (as they like to be called) has brought back a new take not just on their cocktails and rotating craft beers, but to their lunch and dinner offerings. In particular are their delicious melt-in-your-mouth burgers with gluten and dairy-free options. They’ve also just launched their bottomless brunch every week from 11am to 2pm, which includes burgers, bottomless fries, and a large selection of booze options including espresso martinis and bloody Marys.

Coming to you by the same powerhouses behind Brooklyn Standard is none other than the Hawaiian themed Susie Wong’s Good Time Bar. Who is this Susie Wong and can we be friends? More grungy surf shack than tiki bar, push open the cold room door and be immersed in a room of vibrant colours and vintage novelties. They’ve got the basics down pat with bubble tea cocktails and a frozen selection that will cool you right down after a hula or two on the dancefloor. With surf rock on school nights and classics on weekends, this hidden bar is soon to be a regular hangout.    

Embracing all things grit and grime, this is one underground bar that truly belongs beneath the streets. The original cellars of The Prince Consort Hotel, you’ll find Brisbane’s emerging indie band scene performing gig after gig here. Graffiti and framed paraphernalia line the brick walls, antique velvet lounges welcome guests, and exposed ceiling pipes create a grog den like no other. It’s exactly what you want at the end of your twisting journey down a Brunswick Street back alley, past the kitchen, through to a framed Elvis hanging in all his glory. The journey just makes it all the more enthralling! Kick back at the killer burger bar, brave the Greaser rite of passage (hint: it involves whiskey and pickles), and relish a craft Aussie tap beer. Buckle in because this one’s an all-nighter.

For a taste of Brooklyn meets Barcelona, Alba is your fix, with delicious bites, cocktails, and a modern wine dished out to patrons in an ambient hole-in-the-wall joint on Burnett Lane. Taking cues from Basque with its laneway vibe, the neighbourhood bar puts a great deal of thought into its aperitivo and rotating cocktail list. It’s also constantly evolving with the seasons, so each time you visit will like a brand new escape. Just head to the heart of the city and follow the sound of understated hip hop, and you’ll find yourself at the hands of Brisbane’s most respected.