Toast the end of long days and your favourite people in our pick of the most cheerful Brisbane pubs.
Milestone celebrations. After-work debriefs. Sun-drenched Sunday sessions. Like seagulls to hot chips, our magnetism to pubs is unbudgeable. Whether you’re in the mood for freshly poured pints overlooking the water, golden-crumbed schnittys as big as your head, catching the weekend’s sporting triumphs on super-jumbo screens or just a good quality catch-up that won’t break the bank, our favourite Brisbane pubs are just the ticket.
Here, we shine a light on the city’s gems.
1. Regatta Hotel
A Brisbane must-visit, the Regatta Hotel is a titan among the city’s pub scene, located in the scenic riverside suburb of Toowong. Entertaining locals and visitors alike since 1874, the Brisbane pub is unmissable as its white lace-iron verandas transport you to a bygone era.
Inside, take your pick from The Main Bar, The Courtyard, The Boatshed fine dining restaurant, The Walrus Club den, The Whiskey Bar, the River Road Cafe (serving your morning fix from 6:30 am) and yet another space, Merle’s Bar. Wherever you choose, the vibes are unbeatable.
Address: 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong
2. Story Bridge Hotel
Another Brisbane icon, set right beneath the heritage-listed Story Bridge, is the Story Bridge Hotel . Hydrating patrons since its doors first opened in 1886, the Brisbane pub features a bunch of bars and an always-kicking vibe, particularly in the greenery-splashed Bridge Garden where singles mingle and big-screen TVs air whatever sports are on. Sunday sessions are popular with live music staged between 2 pm and 6 pm, while Friday and Saturday nights bring some of the best local DJs out to spin their stuff. Thursday is Curry Night, where house-made cook-ups provide the ultimate stomach lining.
Address: 200 Main Street, Kangaroo Point
3. The Lord Alfred Hotel
Got tickets to a game at Suncorp Stadium? Dropping into The Lord Alfred Hotel for a pre-game tipple (or few) is a prerequisite. Grab a schooner of your favourite brew and elbow your way through to secure a spot on the upstairs balcony.
It’s great for people watching as Caxton Street down below is always action-packed. Its historical bones date back to the 1860s, making it a character-filled space (no matter where you nab a table) to indulge in $15 weekly lunch specials and, if you’re visiting mid-week, Schnitzel Mondays where everyone’s favourite pub grub goes for just $18 a plate.
Address: 68 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
4. The Normanby Hotel
Featuring one of the most fun-fuelled beer gardens in the city, The Normanby Hotel is a vibrant spot that’s always humming. Set up shop within the mammoth al fresco space or choose from its Public Bar (where all the live sporting streams are), Dining Room or multiple balconies. No matter where you’re perched, this most-loved pub is a guaranteed good time. Weekly entertainment includes Wednesday trivia nights and live music from Friday to Sunday.
Address: 1 Musgrave Road, Red Hill
5. Sandgate Post Office Hotel
A bayside beauty, the Sandgate Post Office Hotel nods to its rich origins as an actual post office built in 1887.
Paying tribute to its heritage, the Brisbane hot spot is consistently slick throughout its multiple alcoves, dining spaces and balconies. The kitchen nails it too, delivering both a casual bar menu and a fancier dining room menu.
On the laidback end, all your favourite pub classics (roasts, steaks, grilled meats and more) show face while the dining room is home to seafood and global-inspired fare.
Address: 1 Bowser Parade, Sandgate
6. Jubilee Hotel
Looking for something more sleek than sentimental? At the Jubilee Hotel in the inner city, you’ll score the best of both worlds. Built in 1887, it’s a heritage-listed haunt with an incredible history but recent years have seen it transformed into a contemporary mecca for classy (and sometimes not-so-classy) revelry.
Two levels, decked out with polished timber floors and one of the most dazzling gold bar tops this Australian Traveller writer has ever locked eyes with, house big group gatherings and intimate date nights as a stream of crafty cocktails, top-shelf booze and beautifully executed pub grub keeps the party going into the late hours.
Address: 470 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley
7. The Plough Inn
No visit to South Bank is complete without a cheeky wine or pint inside The Plough Inn .
The sprawling Brisbane pub spills over with infectious good vibes, encompassing a main two-level bar with an ornate balcony that overlooks the strip, a covered two-story entertainment space and further seating in the beer garden.
No matter which day you visit, there’s always something special going on, including Monday Rib Day, which dishes up a full rack for $25 and live music over the weekend.
Address: 29 Stanley Plaza, South Bank
8. The Rose & Crown
A grand Brisbane pub that blends its Queensland bones with English-inspired wining and dining, The Rose & Crown in South Bank is worth a pint or two. The 19th-century building, complete with lace-iron balconies, French doors, original fixtures and ornate finishes, is built with multiple areas to cosy into. Whether you’re somewhere inside, lost in a homely nook, or perched within an al fresco space, you can take your pick from a smorgasbord of beers, wines and spirits, plus traditional English meals (yep, a scotch egg, a steak and Guinness pie and a ploughman’s lunch are all there). Head over on Sunday to score a Sunday roast with Yorkshire Pudding, too.
Address: 271 Grey Street, South Brisbane
9. Breakfast Creek Hotel
Blinded by a neon-lit XXXX sign? You’ve stumbled across the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Albion, located in the north-eastern suburbs of the city.
It’s renowned for its live footy match screenings, which draw huge crowds, propelling this Brisbane pub’s ambience to soaring heights.
There’s a very charming Spanish-inspired beer garden, six individual bars in total and a dining menu with some of the best pub steaks in town. Make sure you also check out its selection of rum, one of the largest collections in the southern hemisphere.
Address: 2 Kingsford Smith Drive, Albion
10. Koala Tavern
Beloved by locals, Koala Tavern is a laid-back Brisbane pub with one especially wonderful, family-friendly beer garden. Complete with a playground (every pub parent’s dream come true), the space is dressed in faux grass so kids can run around with greater ease.
Regular events include Trivia Thursday and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. And, arguably most importantly, is the meals are abundantly served and always finessed.
Address: 36-40 Moreton Bar Road, Capalaba
11. The Glen Hotel
Get amongst the Brisbane ‘burbs with a family-friendly session at The Glen Hotel in Eight Mile Plains. An incredible outdoor play area fitted with a life-size model tractor, cubby holes and other fabulous time-suckers will keep little ones happy while the beer garden’s very convenient vantage point helps you keep watch.
The food is always generously portioned, and there’s even a cafe menu that offers a range of desserts, gelato and coffee. Everyone is endlessly sorted at this great Brisbane pub.
Address: Corner Logan Road and Gaskell Street, Eight Mile Plains
12. Frogs Hollow Saloon
If you’re keen to escape scorching conditions outside, Frogs Hollow Saloon in Brisbane’s CBD is a stellar, dimly lit choice. A hipster hang adored by the city’s in-the-know hospitality scene, it’s moody yet relaxed, offering an ideal sanctuary where mixology excels.
A little bit country (don’t miss the whiskey range) and a whole lot of fun, it’s a late-night gem to mix with the coolest of kids.
Address: 26 Charlotte Street, Brisbane
13. QA Hotel
It mightn’t look like much from the outside, but the QA Hotel , also known as the Queens Arms Hotel, is a historical Brisbane pub with plenty to fall for. Built in 1884, it’s in fact one of the oldest surviving pubs in the area.
It’s been spruced up multiple times since its arrival, and the current iteration is a warm and contemporary space with touches of exposed brick and timber in various shades of chocolate.
Fill your belly with an extensive menu of pizzas, pastas, burgers, grilled meats, salads and starters and keep spirits high with, well, spirits, shaken and stirred to pastel-hued perfection.
Address: 64 James Street, New Farm
14. The Pineapple Hotel
Lovingly dubbed ‘The Piney,’ Kangaroo Point’s Pineapple Hotel is a rowdy Brisbane institution that’s always entertaining. Family-owned and family-friendly, the hot spot is the place to visit if you’re on your way to The Gabba stadium, as it’s less than a ten-minute walk from the venue. Other drawcards include live music on Saturday night, live screenings of every footy match imaginable and Trivia Tuesday.
Address: 706 Main Street, Kangaroo Point
15. The Transcontinental Hotel
Right across the road from Roma Street Station, The Transcontinental Hotel is an outstanding place for after-work drinks.
The heritage-listed beauty, built in 1888, features multiple bars in addition to a beer garden and dining hall, and each space is roomy enough to house your gathering without feeling as though you’re on top of other groups.
Expect beautifully executed classics, including chicken parmi, steaks and burgers, on the menu, as well as internationally inspired small plates.
Address: 482 George Street, Brisbane
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