Brisbane Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music

Brisbane's nightlife spreads well beyond the city centre, with Fortitude Valley long established as the after-dark heart of the live music scene and pockets of bars, pubs and breweries scattered through suburbs like New Farm, Paddington, West End and out towards the bayside at Manly. Whether you're after a big-room gig, a small laneway bar or a no-fuss pub, there's a clear mix of options across the river city.

Why Brisbane delivers

If you want live music and a drink in the same night, Brisbane makes it easy. The Valley clusters several music venues within walking distance, while New Farm, Teneriffe and the inner-west give you bar and brewery options for before or after a show. It's a compact enough city that you can pair a gig with a nearby pub or laneway bar without much travel.

Highlights

• Live music in Fortitude Valley at The Tivoli and Fortitude Music Hall, both within the Valley's entertainment precinct
• Gigs across the river precincts at The Triffid in Teneriffe and Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm
• Small-bar drinking in Paddington at The Scratch Bar and Death and Taxes Brisbane
• Laneway atmosphere at Miss Demeanour Laneway Bar in Hamilton
• Local pubs for a relaxed night, including the Brunswick Hotel in New Farm and the Manly Hotel out by the bay
• Craft beer at Range Brewing in Fortitude Valley
• Arts and performance programming at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank

Our top picks

Hand-picked from our highest-scoring listings:

• The Tivoli — Fortitude Valley
• Queensland Performing Arts Centre — South Bank
• The Scratch Bar — Paddington
• Brunswick Hotel — New Farm
• Brisbane Powerhouse — New Farm
• Manly Hotel — Manly
• Fortitude Music Hall — Fortitude Valley
• Capalaba Tavern — Manly
• Miss Demeanour Laneway Bar — Hamilton
• Soak Bathhouse - West End — West End

Explore more

Browse all bars, pubs, live music, breweries in Brisbane.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I catch live music in Brisbane at night?

Fortitude Valley is a key spot, with The Tivoli and Fortitude Music Hall both in the suburb. You'll also find live music at The Triffid in Teneriffe, Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank.

Which suburbs are best for bar-hopping?

Paddington is handy for small bars like The Scratch Bar and Death and Taxes Brisbane, while Hamilton has Miss Demeanour Laneway Bar. Fortitude Valley combines live music venues with options like Range Brewing for craft beer.

Are there good pubs outside the city centre?

Yes. New Farm has the Brunswick Hotel, and out towards the bay you'll find the Manly Hotel in Manly. Kangaroo Point is home to Johnny Ringo's. We don't have opening hours or specific offerings confirmed for these venues, so it's worth checking ahead.

Can I find craft beer in Brisbane's nightlife scene?

Range Brewing in Fortitude Valley is listed as a brewery, making it an option if you're after craft beer in the Valley precinct.