Brisbane cocktail bars you shouldn’t miss
Summer is just around the corner and Kim Barnard from The Urban List is feeling festive.
It’s about that time… the jacarandas are out, the boots are off, and the beach is beckoning.
What better way to celebrate the shedding of the layers than with a cheeky drink or two? And as the temperature rises, there’s only one kind of drink that’s going to suffice.
That’s right – it’s cocktail season!
I’ve scoured the town (and asked around) to bring you the most exciting cocktail bars in Brisbane. It was tough, but someone had to do it.
Here are my picks for cocktail hour. Cheers!
The Laneway
The Laneway brings cosmopolitan bar culture to Brisbane city, with creative cocktails, an eclectic wine list, and a boast-worthy selection of boutique beers and ciders. Featuring a mix of classic and contemporary music, and Kym Machin’s highest-calibre bar cuisine, The Laneway provides an intimate space where patrons can lose all sense of time.
TUL Cocktail pick | Salviana’s Gimlet: A glorious gin mixed with a special pineapple and sage cordial. Refreshing and delicious.
Gertie’s
Definitely the main-stayer of the New Farm strip, Gertie’s combines a stylish atmosphere, great bar offerings, and excellent food. A great place to meet friends for any occasion..
TUL Cocktail pick | Moulin Rouge: Raspberry vodka, champagne, passionfruit, raspberries and cinnamon. Sweet and celebratory.
The Bowery
If you are after a bit of soul, The Bowery is the location to head to when you need a cocktail. Packing some soulful jazz during the week, and an eclectic mix of old-school beats come the weekend, The Bowery allows visitors to experience a bar the way it should be. With a varied crowd, and a mean cocktail list, this Valley mainstay is definitely worth a visit.
TUL Cocktail Pick | A Summer Affair: Gin, Cointreau, orange blossom water, grapefruit juice, and sparkling wine. Summer in a glass.
Limes
Brisbane’s balmy weather makes our city a great location for rooftop bars, and Limes Bar fills the brief perfectly. Whether it be the start of a night out with the girls, or a low-key, Tuesday-night at their outdoor cinema, the Brisbane cityscapes, and expertly made cocktails, will always go down a treat.
TUL Cocktail Pick | Limes Zombie: Rum, fresh lime, grapefruit juice, grenadine, and absinthe. Two words – pace yourself.
Canvas
A new-ish addition to the eclectic Woolloongabba precinct, Canvas embraces the heritage-listed feel of its surroundings (with a touch of graffiti). There is an amazing wine list and nibbles to graze on, but you won’t be able to resist ordering from their innovative cocktail menu.
TUL Cocktail pick | Mrs Hendricks: Gin, sherry, cloudy apple juice, elderflower cordial, cucumber and thyme. If this isn’t summery I don’t know what is.
Laruche
The decor of this cocktail bar in Brisbane is beautifully eclectic, with plump sofas, flamboyant lounge chairs and spectacular chandeliers. Ornate and ostentatious, Laruche is a Brisbane bar to show off. The bonuses are impeccable service, bespoke cocktails, and delectable food.
TUL Cocktail Pick | Scarlet Fizz: Pear vodka, crème de peche, raspberry, lemon, sparkling wine. Fruity and fun – perfect for a celebratory drink.
Sling Lounge
Taking cocktail aficionados to the next level, the hip Sling Lounge in Brisbane’s West End, is the home of extreme mixological treats. The cocktail menu at Sling Lounge reads like a novel. The selection is daunting, but worth wading through. Try. You must. It’s addictive.
TUL Cocktail Pick | Dirty Martini: Gin, dry vermouth, olive brine and olives. A classic, done perfectly.
What would you add to the list?
