Death and Taxes Brisbane

Death and Taxes is a bar in Brisbane’s historic Burnett Lane, a laneway formed in 1829 that was once the trade entrance for the Queen Street Mall. The venue’s entrance opens from the lane through large double wooden doors, leading into a setting shaped by the atmosphere of underground bars in London and Paris. It is a destination for drinks rather than a restaurant, with an extensive signature cocktail menu, wine list and selection of craft beers.

The main room is built around intimate lighting and a grand back bar displaying more than 1,000 spirit bottles. A separate back room adds booths and 100-year-old wooden floors, giving groups a choice of spaces within the venue. Street art along Burnett Lane, including a wall of lion faces looking towards a Grim Reaper, is part of the approach to the bar and adds to the sense of occasion before you even step inside.

Whisky is a clear focus. The venue publishes a dedicated whisky channel exploring distilleries and whiskies from around the world, with each instalment covering background and tasting notes. Its listed Macallan tasting event includes five 15ml pours and begins with a highball featuring The Macallan 12 Years Double Cask, offering a more structured option for guests interested in whisky and its history. Event details may change, so the venue’s current listings are the best place to check what is available.

Death and Taxes suits an evening built around cocktails, wine, beer or whisky, whether you are settling into a booth with friends or stopping by for a drink on a walk through Brisbane. Seating is assigned on a walk-in basis, as the venue does not take reservations. Its intimate lighting, extensive spirits display and tucked-away laneway location make it particularly suited to adults looking for a drinks-led venue with a considered, atmospheric interior.