Uptown

At the top of Queen Street Mall in Brisbane CBD, Uptown is a central shopping destination with a mix of retail, food and visitor services. The centre’s website brings together shopping information, gift cards, parking, maps and current events, making it a practical stop for a city visit as well as a place to browse. It is located at 91 Queen Street and is owned and managed by Vicinity Centres.

Food is a substantial part of the offering, with dedicated food court and takeaway, cafés and restaurants, and fresh food categories. The current directory lists a broad collection of operators, including Coles, Starbucks Coffee, Breadtop, Boost Juice, Nene Chicken, Little Thai Street, Pho 18 Vietnamese Cuisine, Aqua Poke, Sushi Hub, Beach House Bar & Grill and Zhang Liang Malatang. The centre’s listings also include coffee, baked goods, juice, hot food and quick takeaway options, so visitors can choose between a short break, a casual meal or food to take with them while exploring Brisbane City.

A standout attraction is The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in Brisbane. This ticketed, interactive experience recreates familiar spaces from the television series, including Monica and Rachel’s kitchen, Chandler and Joey’s living room, and a Central Perk replica with the well-known couch. It also includes set recreations, props, costumes and photo opportunities. The experience runs for about an hour, welcomes all ages and is wheelchair accessible. Bookings are essential, with entry on Level Q next to Just Jeans; after-hours access is via Queen Street Mall, opposite Westpac.

Uptown suits shoppers, city workers, families and visitors looking to combine retail with food or an indoor activity. It can also work for groups, although groups of 15 or more are asked to contact The FRIENDS™ Experience in advance. Parking is available in the centre’s 24-hour facility at 66 Elizabeth Street, with pre-booking recommended by the venue. Centre hours listed online are Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5.30pm; Friday, 9am to 9pm; Saturday, 9am to 5pm; and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Uptown also acknowledges the Turrbal people as Traditional Custodians of the land.