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Best Things to Do in South Brisbane

The vibrant inner city suburb of South Brisbane is a cultural and culinary mecca, with world class galleries, theatre, library, heritage trail and museum to one of Brisbane's funkiest laneways with its pocket-sized and hidden bars, cutting edge restaurants, bakery and beer hall. Elsewhere there's a gin distillery, bespoke Japanese dining room and heritage-listed pub turned retro live music bar, all in the same neighbourhood. Here's 40+ of the best things to explore and do:

Maho Magic Bar & Darkfield

MAHO Magic Bar & Darkfield South Bank

The fabulous immersive experience precinct at South Bank has been leaving visitors spellbound by multi-sensory thrills.

GOMA

GOMA

During its relatively short existence has quickly established itself as the proverbial jewel in Brisbane’s visual arts crown.

The Rose & Crown

The Rose & Crown South Brisbane

The Rose & Crown brings a cool London pub vibe to a landmark heritage-listed Queenslander

It's Still a Secret

It's Still a Secret South Brisbane

An exquisite 1970's style vintage bar occupying the ground floor of 130 year old heritage-listed Coronation Hotel

Maeve Wine Bar

Maeve is an art deco Euro-style wine bar occupying the top floor of a heritage-listed bank in South Brisbane

Como Restaurant

Como Restaurant South Brisbane

This gorgeous upmarket Italian restaurant and bar brings a touch of Lake Como class to South Brisbane

Hello Please Fish Lane

Hello Please is a Vietnamese-inspired street food restaurant and bar that has its home in Fish Lane

Julius Pizzeria

Julius Pizzeria building exterior

Julius Pizzeria is an uber slick addition to the coolest laneway this side of the river, Fish Lane.

Chu the Phat is Brisbane’s coolest Asian restaurant and bar – a stunning glass-enclosed 2-storey affair with an exotic menu

Queensland Art Gallery

Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane

From the time of acquiring its first art work in 1895, the Qld Art Gallery has moved buildings five times and amassed a collection of more than 14,000 Australian and International artworks

Midtown bar South Brisbane

Midtown is a swish intimate New York style bar serving top notch food, boutique wine and two-sip martinis

Bar Rosa South Brisbane

A buzzy elegant Italian bar and eatery serving wine and outstanding food and opposite the Queensland Museum

Eleven Bridges Gin Bar

Eleven Bridges Gin Bar, South Brisbane

Eleven Bridges is Brisbane's latest gin bar and distillery, offering over 100 boutique botanicals

Outside looking into Nusa Dining South Brisbane

Located in South Brisbane, this sleek contemporary Indonesian grill and rijstaffel restaurant is the first of its kind in Australia

Taro’s Ramen is changing the way we do ramen – with big bowls of MSG-free broth that’s customised to suit your taste

Saccharomyces Beer Cafe

Saccharomyces Beer Café

Saccharomyces Beer Café is a cool designer beer hall tucked away in Fish Lane, South Brisbane, serving a daily breakfast, followed by craft beers and eats until midnight

South Brisbane Heritage Trail

South Brisbane was originally slated to be Brisbane's CBD, with some grand commercial buildings being established on the south side of the river, until the 1893 flood changed all that.

Lune Croissanterie

Lune Croissanterie South Brisbane

The renowned Melbourne bakery has brought the 'finest croissants in the world'* to South Brisbane

State Library Of Queensland

State Library of Qld building in Sth Brisbane

This multi-story award-winning architectural landmark building on the riverfront between the art galleries is home to the main archival collections of Queensland’s history.

Maker South Brisbane

Maker is a chic and intimate hole-in-the-wall bar reminiscent of those found in Barcelona’s back alleys, tucked away in Fish Lane, South Brisbane.

Queensland Museum Kurilpa

Queensland Museum Kurilpa

Queensland Museum, founded in 1862, is the keeper of the state's historical collections dating back to colonial times

Riverside Dog Park

Riverside Dog Park

Riverside Dog Park is one of South Brisbane’s hidden gems - a long narrow offleash park that stretches along the riverfront

Southside South Brisbane

This multi-level Pan Asian urban oasis is tucked away under the South Brisbane railway bridge in Fish Lane

Fish Lane Next Episode

Next Episode is a secret laneway hip hop bar with a concealed entrance inside a barber’s shop

Gelato Messina South Brisbane

Gelato Messina in South Brisbane is a sibling of the famous Sydney outfit and a go-to for some of Australia's best gelato.

Kid cycling under Jolly Bridge

Sandwiched between the evergreen Paul’s milk factory, William Jolly Bridge and GOMA is a tiny pocket park where fisherman drop a line and through which the riverside bike and pedestrian track passes on its way to Kurilpa Bridge.

Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack

Big Roddy is serving up his secret recipe, prime-cut ribs in South Brisbane’s hottest dining precinct, Fish Lane.

Tai Tai South Bank

Tai Tai is a casual, chic al fresco restaurant bringing authentic South East Asian cuisine to a street corner

La Lune Wine Co

La Lune Wine Co Fish Lane

La Lune Wine Co is a classy little French-style wine bar tucked away in South Brisbane's Fish Lane

Kiki

Kiki, Fish Lane Town Square, South Brisbane

This cool coffee kiosk by day, cocktail bar by night can be found nestled in a leafy urban oasis underneath a rail bridge

Under The Clock

Under The Clock South Brisbane

Under the Clock is a secret café steeped in historic charm, found tucked away under the landmark heritage-listed South Brisbane Municipal Hall that is now part of Somerville House.

Uncle Don West End

A dedicated donburi (Japanese rice bowl) restaurant, serving up more than 20 variations of the delicious dish

Bar Brutus Fish Lane South Brisbane

This tiny 8-seater laneway bar brings an elegant touch of Italy to Fish Lane

Tarbouche Mezza Bar

Tarbouche Mezze Bar West End

A cool subterranean Middle Eastern restaurant and mezze bar on a bustling street corner of South Brisbane.

Queensland Theatre

Queensland Theatre has its home in South Brisbane, with their Bille Brown Theatre a fantastic intimate place to watch a play

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Barbossa Bar & Bottleshop

Barbossa Bar & Bottle Shop is shaking up Caribbean-inspired cocktails and cooking up island-vibed tapas

TakashiYa South Brisbane

A splendid and exclusive Japanese omakase, whiskey & sake bar, tucked away under the Emporium Hotel

Nostimo Greek Restaurant

Nostimo Greek Restaurant Greek Club South Brisbane

A visit to Nostimo Greek Restaurant at the Greek Club, South Brisbane, is the next best thing to visiting Greece

Spring at Bacchus Restaurant

Bacchus Restaurant

Chef Marco Sfamurri has taken over the kitchen at Bacchus Restaurant in South Brisbane & has crafted a delicious new Spring menu

Ariake on Grey South Brisbane

Ariake on Grey in South Brisbane is a slick little Japanese Izakaya style eatery where the focus is on quality fresh seafood

Queensland Maritime Museum

Ship in dry dock in the Queensland Maritime Museum

You don’t have to be a ship enthusiast to visit this homey museum, which is well laid out and staffed by mostly ex-naval and maritime workers.

Chinese chef in kitchen seen through window on the street

It may be a little far from the South Bank action but Bamboo Basket offers its own flurry of activity

St Mary's Catholic Church

Saint Mary's Catholic Church facade in South Brisbane

Built in the early 1890’s on the site of and to replace the original wooden Catholic church of 1865, St Mary’s is today a landmark in this area of South Brisbane.

Image credit: Queensland Theatre, courtesy of Queensland Theatre website.

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

NYE at Rydges South Bank

NYE at Rydges South Bank

Three’s the charm for New Year’s Eve at Rydges South Bank

Fireworks over Story Bridge

New Year's Eve Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Ring in 2025 with an unforgettable adventure on Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge

Fireworks view from Brisbane Powerhouse Vertigo

New Year's Eve at Vertigo

Elevate your NYE plans this year – literally – at Vertigo, four storeys high

Qld Pops Orchestra on stage NYE Concert

Qld Pops: 40th Anniversary NYE Gala Concert

Say goodbye to 2024 in style with the Queensland Pops Orchestra

Cartoon image of Lil Elvis

Li'L Elvis and the Truckstoppers

The beloved animated TV series will be brought to life on stage in January

360 Allstars QPAC

360 Allstars

BMX, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing and more combine at 360 ALLSTARS

The Others Concert Hall QPAC

The Others

An unmissable boundary pushing creativity and collaborative improvision

Ballet Theatre Queensland, Snow White

Snow White

A beloved fairytale will come to life on stage

Penn & Teller Concert Hall QPAC

Penn & Teller

Arguably the world’s most famous magicians, Penn & Teller are coming to Brisbane

Homewares at MOB Christmas Shop

GIFT IDEAS

Christmas Gift Guide 2024

When it comes to finding unique Christmas gifts, this guide has it covered, from must-do experiences and bespoke gifts to tickets to must-see shows

Christmas Gift Guide 2024

White Christmas parade at Movie World

KIDS

December School Holiday Guide

Looking for fun things to do with the kids this December? From Christmas putt putt and White Christmas extravaganza to fantastic kids shows & activities

December School Holiday Guide 2024

CELEBRATE

New Year's Eve 2024

From rooftop soirees, gala concerts, cheeky cabaret and degustation dinners to vertical dining and a Story Bridge climb, the top ways to spend New Year's Eve 2024 in Brisbane

NYE 2024 in Brisbane

A Must See Ballet hits Brisbane!

Win a $300 Gourmet Hamper & $200 Shopping Spree at Rosalie Gourmet Market