Brisbane Powerhouse

Brisbane Powerhouse is a contemporary arts and culture venue in New Farm, Brisbane, with a programme spanning movement, music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, family events and ideas. Its calendar includes performances, festivals, the Brisbane Powerhouse Farmers Markets and Night Feast, giving visitors reasons to return for very different experiences rather than a single style of entertainment. The venue also presents PowerPLAY, an initiative that places young people at the centre of the artistic experience.

Food and drink are part of the wider offer. Vertigo combines dining with an adventure experience on the building’s industrial façade, four storeys above the ground, with Brisbane skyline views, drinks and a curated charcuterie board before a 17-metre dropline. Night Feast is described as a month-long celebration of food and art, while Mary Mae’s offers river views, sunny terraces and all-day dining. Bar Alto brings an Italian restaurant option to the precinct and is noted by the venue as a Brisbane Good Food Guide Chef’s Hat winner and a Queensland state winner for Best Italian Restaurant in 2009.

The setting is a major part of the appeal. Brisbane Powerhouse’s industrial architecture provides a distinctive backdrop for performances and events, while the river-facing dining spaces offer a more relaxed way to spend time at the venue. The Powerhouse Store adds a retail element, showcasing functional and decorative work from considered makers and brands. For visitors interested in the people and stories behind food, the Three Food Memories Live event pairs hospitality figure Savva Savas with author and journalist Frances Whiting, with conversation, personal food memories and a curated food box connected to the discussion.

There is plenty here for different kinds of visits: an arts-focused outing, a meal by the river, a festival stop, a market visit or a more adventurous group experience. Families can look for the venue’s family programming, while couples and groups may be drawn to Night Feast, the restaurants or Vertigo. Solo visitors can browse the programme, store and exhibitions-style events at their own pace. Check the current listings before visiting, as performances and experiences are scheduled separately and some events have specific age, ticketing or late-arrival conditions.