Here Are All The Hottest Things To Do In Brisbane This Summer
Sun’s out, fun’s out
By Dinushka Gunasekara | 19th December 2022As the Fresh Prince himself said: summer, summer, summertime – time to sit back and unwind. That’s right, folks, summer is well and truly in full swing, which means if you’re not poolside, have seafood in hand, or sipping bubbly, you’re doing it wrong.
To help you do nothing but chillax ‘til you’re back in the office, we’ve put on our sunnies and hunted for all the very best things to do this summer in Brisbane and beyond. From pool parties to limited-edition brews, and lobster pop-ups, here’s the summer bucket list you need to swear by:
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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Brisbane Racing Club
Ascot
Giddy up! Summer won’t be here forever so you don’t want to miss out on a race day full of fun and excitement with Brisbane Racing Club. Whether you’re at the heritage listed Eagle Farm Racecourse or the thrilling Doomben Racecourse, catch all the action trackside with one of the many package options and inclusions to suit all kinds of party people. Gather your crew and dress to impress – you’re in for an experience like no other with drinks and nibbles by the plentiful to keep you at the top of your game all day long.
Felons Brewing Co.
Brisbane City
Can’t decide between a glass of bubbles or a frothy pint to keep you refreshed this summer? Well, lucky for you, the good time crew at Felons have dropped a new release that gives you the best of both worlds. Brewed for summer celebration, Felons Champagne Sour Ale is a 2x gold medal-winner that pairs perfectly with the delicious eats, breathtaking views, live music, and activities on offer by the banks of the Brisbane River. Open from 11am to late, grab a fresh pour straight from the tank at the brewery, Felons Barrell Hall, or get your hands on the glistening Champagne Sour Ale cans at good beer locations across Queensland before they’re gone for good.
River To Bay
Hamilton
Ahoy to the best summer yet! Climb aboard one of River To Bay’s high-speed vessels and you’ll be in for an exciting adventure through hidden gems of South-East Queensland. Love to dabble with indulgence? The Champagne and Oyster Tour will whisk you away to Moreton Bay so you can enjoy a glass of bubbles alongside fresh oysters straight from the ocean. Or channel your inner Indianna Jones and explore the Tangalooma Wrecks with a snorkel tour! Can’t decide? Set sail with the Best of Moreton Bay to explore the iconic islands we call neighbours. There really is nothing better than a summer at sea!
Lina Rooftop
South Brisbane
Forget the stress of shopping lines! This Boxing Day, Lina is throwing a pool party to remember. Starting with a Boxing Day brunch, you and yours will be digging into a sharing menu alongside soaring rooftop views. Once you’re all fuelled up, you’ll finish the afternoon with a cocktail in hand as resident DJs set the mood until late. Pack your swimmers, as the infinity pool will be all yours to hit refresh while you party the night away! Yep, this is the ticket you need in your hot lil’ hands come 26 December.
Revel Brewing Co
Bulimba, Morningside
Stay cool this summer with a cold one in hand thanks to the good folk at Revel Brewing Co! With two bustling locations to choose from – Revel Brewing Co. on Bulimba’s Oxford Street and Revel Rivermakers within Morningside’s historic Commonwealth Acetate of Lime Factory – you’ll find independent craft beers bursting with flavour to wash down delicious bites like share plates, fresh seafood, and pub classics at Rivermakers and Bulimba’s beloved wood-fired pizzas. Both breweries offer the perfect reprieve from the sun while still making the most out of those golden rays, so you can kick back, relax, and cheers to a glorious summer’s day.
Little Tree Bake & Brew House
Samford Village
Take the scenic drive to Samford Village and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous and quaint boutique bar, made for summer sippin’. With a thoughtfully curated drinks menu that exclusively pours independent and ethically minded brews, Little Tree Bake & Brew House showcases the best of Queensland, Australia, and beyond. Paired with shared plates inspired by flavours from around the world, pull up a seat in their gorgeous outdoor dining garden under a canopy of trees and experience golden hour like you never have before. The community-centric restaurant and bar serves up locally sourced seasonal dishes created in-house from Wednesday to Monday, including nights on Friday and Saturday, with live music every Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. Unique, charming, and memorable, book now and thank us later!
Nautilus Beach Club
Brisbane City
Dive into the city’s first and only swim-up pool bar, which is now open to the public for the summer! The Westin Brisbane’s Amalfi Coast-themed beach club is making a splash with a range of packages to suit every kind of summer soiree, alongside a specially designed spritz menu, world-class entertainment, and a delectable menu featuring Moreton Bay bug rolls and seafood platters. Open from Friday to Sunday until March, it’s the guaranteed way to stay cool.
Lobster & Co.
Newstead
We all know the unofficial menu of summer is lobsters and champagne, which is why Australia’s favourite pop-up restaurant is arriving in Brisbane just in time for the season. Lobster & Co will be taking over Gasworks Plaza from 14 December to serve up its signature lobster rolls alongside a glass of champagne and truffle parmesan fries.
The Star Gold Coast
Broadbeach
So it’s technically not Brisbane, but The Star’s festival of fun-filled food, drinks, and entertainment is certainly worth the drive down the highway! Dubbed The Funner Summer, the Broadbeach oasis is pulling out all the stops across all their offerings this season, like an exclusive Hendricks Gin pop-up bar at Isoletto Pool Club, Tacos On The Lawn at Garden Kitchen & Bar, or Seven Nights Of Delight on Atrium Bar’s stage. With the good times rolling until 31 January, why not book a stay and make an adventure of it?
WET Deck
Brisbane City
The ultimate summer playground awaits at W Brisbane’s WET Deck, which has been transformed to embrace the energetic vibes of Central and South America. The Summer Fiesta features a custom-made beverage cart pouring margaritas accompanied with a choice of artisan black lava, sriracha, or habanero salt, as well as indulgent takes on Mexican street food dishes. Relax poolside and savour the bold flavours as W Brisbane’s resident Music Curator hits the decks from Fridays to Sundays.
Moonlight Cinema
Brisbane City
What pairs best with a good movie? A Brissy sunset, of course! Moonlight Cinema is back at Roma St Parkland with a classic lineup of rom coms, festive flicks, thrilling dramas, and old faithfuls you can watch again and again. Forget Gold Class, we’re all about the Gold Grass experience which includes a premium bean bed and waiter service to ensure you never run out of snacks.
Disney: The Magic Of Animation
South Brisbane
Uncover the magic behind almost 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios at Queensland Museum before the exhibit ends on 22 January! With hundreds of original sketches and artworks from your favourite animated classics on show, this rare opportunity lets you go behind the scenes of the world’s most prolific animation studio. From Steamboat Willie to Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Moana, and more, it’s the chance to hang out with your favourite characters and stories this summer.
Hibiscus Room
Brisbane City
Hit refresh at Hibiscus Room’s Summer Sundays with a beverage on one side and a rooftop infinity-edged pool on the other. With a drink on arrival, DJs throwing the beats, and full access to the pool and facilities, the Hyatt Regency’s sunshine bar is the place to be when the temps increase. All that splashing about working up an appetite? Dig into the tasty poolside menu featuring chicken satay skewers, spicy chicken wings, mac n cheese croquettes, sundaes and more.
