Ric's Bar + Backyard

Ric’s Bar + Backyard is a Fortitude Valley venue built around live music, drinks and a choice of distinct spaces. The venue describes itself as an incubator for emerging bands: a place for artists to develop their sound, gain confidence and launch into the industry. Its alumni includes The Chats, Jungle Giants, Tones and I and Megan Washington, giving the venue a clear connection to Brisbane’s live music community.

Live entertainment now extends from the original front bar into the backyard, which was upgraded after the move during 2020. The website promotes a seven-day programme of entertainment, alongside drinks, food deals and separate drinks, platter and full menus. There is no need to rely on a single room or format here: the front bar is the venue’s original space and is now also known as its karaoke bar, while the backyard provides the largest setting for gigs and busy nights.

The spaces also make Ric’s suitable for different kinds of gatherings. The upstairs room is designed for exclusive parties of between 20 and 100 guests, the front bar can accommodate up to 30, and the backyard has room for more than 250 people. Functions are planned around each event, with the venue inviting enquiries for birthdays, farewell parties and other celebrations that need more personality than a blank private room. That makes it a practical option for larger groups as well as people coming in specifically for the night’s music.

A few entry details are worth knowing before visiting. The venue has a dress code that excludes track pants, singlets, high-vis clothing, basketball or board shorts, and thongs are not permitted. Physical, current identification is required, with student cards and photos of ID not accepted. Ric’s charges a $10 cover fee after 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights, although special events can vary; that fee also includes access to sister venue Chattahoochee Joe’s. For bands and DJs, the venue accepts performance enquiries through its website and says all gigs are paid.