Hotly contested and debated within the ourbrisbane.com office, this category of Best Pubs in Brisbane obviously raises people’s passions. I guess the attraction to one pub over another is an incredibly personal choice – something about the way the light hits the beer glass, or the fact you know the bar staff by name. Sometimes you might not even know why you like the place so much, but you do…
Here’s our selection of favourites (if you disagree then don’t just cry in your beer, leave a comment so everyone knows):
Port Office Hotel
There’s a restaurant, dance floor and bar that overflows with gorgeous people. If you want a big night or maybe just a casual drink that turns into more then you can find it all in one place at the Port Office.
Plough Inn
The Plough Inn is the perfect place to sit down for a while amongst the activities of South Bank. A great spot to chat to international tourists and show them how friendly us locals can be.
The Royal George
You can sit in the middle of the Brunswick Street Mall (great for people watching or catch-ups with old friends) and there is no fancy dress code. As such The Royal George has retained its 'traditional clientele' which always makes for a much more colourful pub experience.
The Pig n Whistle
A favourite for an after-work drink with CBD workers, the Pig n Whistle at Riverside calls itself "Brisbane's home of football". Indeed, it is open very late, very early and everything in between so you can always catch a game live. You'll see games for the World Cup, English Premier League, FA Cup, rugby and more. Dining at the Pig is a serious affair, its fine a la carte menu offers traditional English food, superb steaks, succulent seafood and an Asian menu with a medley of Eastern flavours.
Caxton Hotel
The Caxton Hotel also has a well-established image as a “sporting” pub due to its proximity to Suncorp Stadium and long association with local Brisbane rugby league and rugby union clubs. The hotel’s signature restaurant, the Char Grill & Terrace Bar, is where you’ll find export-quality steak, and some great meal deals including Monday Mates Rates (half-price main meals), Big Wednesday (buy a main meal and get a free entrée or dessert) and 7 Day Lunch Special (includes a jumbo rump served with an Idaho potato, garden salad and your choice of sauce).
Regatta Hotel
‘Good views, good pub, good crowd, good feed’ – you can’t ask for more than that! Have a drink on the large verandahs of the Regatta Hotel while admiring our beautiful river or visit the microbrewery in the basement. Popular with students and locals alike.
The Normanby
The Normanby at Red Hill is listed by the National Trust as one of the few large suburban hotels from the late 19th century horse and buggy era to survive in Brisbane. Fully renovated in 2003, it is now sleek and stylish and has become known for its fantastic food and great entertainment. There is always something on at The Normanby - from footy games on the big screen to live music downstairs in the beer garden.
Lord Stanley
The historic Lord Stanley hotel in East Brisbane has got something for everyone - from the families and couples in the beer garden bistro, to the regulars in the main bar and the punters in the pokies room. A pleasant place for a quiet drink during the day on the spacious open deck, or a loud, rowdy night out. There's good grub available in the restaurant, which boasts a reasonably priced, full a la carte menu. A huge hit with locals, it's also a handy place for families, and the beer garden is often filled with prams.
The Wickham Hotel
The Wickham Hotel, with it's classic 'Queenslander' style, outdoor areas, live shows, gaming room, dance bar, and special events, is one of the premier hotels in Brisbane. Based in the thriving Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct, the Wickham calls itself the leading gay and lesbian venue in Queensland. Who are we to disagree?
Further afield, some top spots are:
- Mapleton Hotel is a favourite destination for bikies, again with a spectacular vista across the Sunshine Coast.
- Point Lookout Hotel has been completely renovated and the water views (complete with whales, if the time is right) can’t be beaten.
Or maybe your favourite is amongst our collection of:
Find out which watering hole was voted Brisbane's favourite pub in our Best of Brisbane poll.
What’s your favourite Brisbane pub and why does it have a place in your heart?
Good list of inner city pubs, but what about pubs in the burbs? There's lots of good local drinking holes. My personal fave of mine is the Indro Hotel.