Brisbane's Best Inner-City Bars for After-Work Drinks with Your Coworkers
These rooftop bars, riverside hangouts and wine havens are suitable for both celebrating and commiserating.
Brisbane's Best Inner-City Bars for After-Work Drinks with Your Coworkers
Bonding with new colleagues, celebrating a win or unwinding after a slog of a week (or day or month) — there are a heap of reasons you might be skipping out of the office as soon as the clock hits 5.30pm to down a few pints or several cocktails. If that office is located in and around Brisbane's CBD, you have plenty of watering holes to chose from, too.
Head to a bar run by a fashion label, a sky-high brewery or a cocktail-slinging joint perched over the river — or a plant-filled gin garden or Euro-style wine haunt, too. We've rounded up all of the best inner city bars for after-work drinks with your coworkers, suitable for both celebrating and commiserating.
Image: Cielo Rooftop.
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Antico
This Italian-style cocktail bar in Burnett Lane hails from the Death & Taxes and Dr Gimlette crew, and is located in Super Whatnot's old digs.
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Midtown
This Fish Lane 40-seater bar hails from the One Fish Two Fish team and heroes martinis.
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The Aviary Terrace Bar
A sibling to Queen Street steak restaurant BŌS, this cocktail spot features an 800-square-metre al fresco space and river views.
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The Gatsby Lounge Bar
The revamped GPO now boasts a 1920s-themed lounge bar, complete with the venue's old vault.
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Riverland
This Eagle Street bar is back after a $3.5-million revamp with a new three-tier waterfront deck.
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Bar Gusto
This 190-seat Bowen Hills restaurant boasts big Italian Riviera vibes and a terrace perfect for after-work drinks.
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Ardo's Newstead
The City Winery team has opened a new neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop in Newstead.
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The Wickham
This Valley favourite is welcoming Brisbanites back in after a $3.1-million makeover.
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BrewDog Fortitude Valley
Not content with one Brisbane venue, BrewDog has opened a second River City location — a three-level Fortitude Valley beer bar on Brunswick Street.
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Purple Palm
This Palm Springs-inspired garden bar in Woolloongabba features a ten-foot wall of gin.
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Riverbar & Kitchen
Watch the boats slink down the river with an ice-cold cocktail in hand.
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The Lodge Bar & Dining
New Zealand clothing label Rodd & Gunn has opened a luxe new bar and restaurant on James Street.
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Casa Chow
This new pastel-hued Woolloongabba eatery serves up Chinese Peruvian dishes, and hails from the Sasso Italiano crew.
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Tillerman
Eagle Street boasts a holiday-style seafood restaurant and bar with killer river views from the Naga Thai team.
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Maggie May
This Newstead supper club is Brisbane's gloriously 70s-inspired new go-to for cocktails and all-day bites.
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South City Wine
Woolloongabba's go-to for wines from around the world, French-inspired cocktails, steak frites, escargot and freshly shucked oysters.
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SOKO Rooftop
Towering above the Jubilee Hotel, this luxe 14th-floor restaurant and bar serves up Peruvian and Japanese cuisine.
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Hervé's Restaurant and Bar
Restaurateur and entrepreneur Hervé Dudognon is serving up French-inspired dishes and wine in Albion's revamped timber mill.
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BOS
Chef Adrian Richardson has opened a new meat-heavy Brisbane restaurant on Queen Street with riverside views.
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Lina Rooftop
This 1500-square-metre beach club-inspired bar with a 30-metre infinity pool sits on a South Brisbane rooftop.
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Valley Hops Brewing
Towering above Ann Street, this sky-high leafy oasis pairs Valley-brewed beers with pizzas, skewers and cheeseboards.
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Dr Gimlette
Located in one of Brisbane's oldest buildings, this new table service-oriented bar hails from the team behind laneway favourite Death and Taxes.
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1st Edition
Sip Spidey's Margs and Ninja Turtle Negronis at California Lane's new 22-seater, which only takes online bookings.
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Hibiscus Room
Perched above the Queen Street Mall, this rooftop bar pairs cocktails, 70s- and 80s-inspired dishes, tropical decor and poolside hangs.
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Stratton Bar and Kitchen
Serving up cacio e pepe udon and cheeseburger bloody marys next to The Triffid, this new bar and eatery hails from Mrs Brown’s Bar & Kitchen owners Ben and Tarryn Brown.
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Stranded Bar
Opened by the crew behind The Zoo, this Fortitude Valley bar serves up a mezcal and tequila-heavy drinks menu.
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Fiume Rooftop Bar
Peer over the river, hang out on daybeds by the pool and sip cocktails — all on Crystalbrook Vincent's rooftop.
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Savile Row
Find the orange door on Ann Street, then sip cocktails beneath a dazzling chandelier at this Fortitude Valley favourite.
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Bar Tano
A sibling venue to James Street's Gemelli Italian, pairing Italian wines and cocktails with salumi and cheese.
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The Inchcolm Bar
Restaurant Salon de Co has shut up shop, with this newcomer taking its place.
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Will & Flow
Treasury Brisbane's all-day overwater bar serves up a seafood-heavy menu with coffee, spritzes and stellar river views.
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Felons Brewing Co
The city’s only riverside brewery is now open inside the Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
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Death and Taxes Brisbane
This old-school bar hidden down a laneway serves up 500 whiskeys and plenty of cocktails.
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Ooh La La Rooftop
C'est Bon has launched a sky-high new addition, serving up oysters, duck liver parfait eclairs, hot whisky cocktails and city views.
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Mr Percival's
The octagonal overwater spot is serving up local seafood, many spritzes and European beachside vibes.
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The Parlour
The Italian riviera-themed spot joins Cielo, La Costa and La Valle on Brunswick Street.
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Greca
A Greek taverna from restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess at Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
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Osbourne Hotel
This Fortitude Valley watering hole has 94 taps, as well as a 400-seat glass-ceiling bistro and beer garden.
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Joey's
The cafe atop Kangaroo Point Cliffs has had a big makeover, but those scenic views remain the same.
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Sea Legs Brewing Co
Pair beers brewed on site with pizzas, burgers, build-your-own charcuterie boards and views of the Story Bridge.
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OTTO Brisbane
The revamped site now features three Otto ventures, including its restaurant, a waterside bar and an events space.
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Stone & Wood Brewery Brisbane
The Byron Bay-based label has opened a brewery and taproom in a heritage-listed Valley building.
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Iris Rooftop
The Mediterranean-inspired venue is the latest addition to Brunswick Street's new Hotel X.
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La Valle Wine Bar and Bottle Shop
Drop by to pick up one of the 200-plus bottles of vino on the shelves, or stop for a drink and some cheese.
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Kazba
This Tel Aviv-inspired spot is serving Turkish coffee martinis, chilli haloumi doughnuts and a cocktail hidden in a novel.
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Cielo Rooftop
Sit on a rooftop, peer over Fortitude Valley and sip cocktails curated by one of Australia's best bars.