Brisbane is all about subtropical living. And balmy climes, as we all know, have a tendency to promote a healthy thirst for ice-cold beers, chilled chardonnays and other restorative beverages. When we drink, we like to do it in style, often in alfresco settings (roof tops, beer gardens and the like), and as much as possible in a place with a sense of history. Fortunately, Brisbane is home to a great many pubs offering all of the above attributes - many in stylishly renovated settings. Check out our historic watering holes. They're legendary stuff.
- The Grand View Hotel
- Story Bridge Hotel
- Breakfast Creek Hotel
- The Pineapple Hotel
- The Plough Inn
- The Ship Inn
- The Regatta Hotel
- The Royal Exchange Hotel
- The Normanby Hotel
- The Fox Hotel
The Grand View Hotel
Built in 1851, the Grand View – the GV to the locals – is Queensland’s oldest licensed hotel. Overlooking North Stradbroke Island, the Grand View offers many of the usual Brissie pub attributes including al fresco dining and a gaming lounge, but it also has a great art gallery upstairs featuring the works of local artists. The seafood and steaks are considered some of the best around and there’s live entertainment every weekend, including regular “Jazz at the GV”.
Story Bridge Hotel
The legendary Story Bridge Hotel, built around the massive pylons of our iconic bridge, is one of Brisbane's favourite watering holes. The hotel dates back to 1886, when it was known as the Kangaroo Point Hotel. It was given its current name in 1940 to coincide with the opening of the actual Story Bridge.
One of the last remaining family-owned and -operated hotels in Brisbane, the "Bridge" draws regulars from all walks of life and is known for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Choose from three dining areas and bars, including the popular Outback Bar & Grill and the upmarket Deery's Restaurant, featuring award-winning steaks.
Breakfast Creek Hotel
Chris, from the ourbrisbane.com team says: "Brekky Creek is a big family pub with quality steaks. It's always fully booked out on big celebration days like Mother's and Father's Day." [Ed: That means, book ahead!]
The Breakfast Creek Hotel is a landmark on Brisbane's pub dining scene. Known by locals as the ‘Brekky Creek', it has been serving up its famous steaks since the 1960s. Renovations in 2002 have maintained the character of this 116 year old, historical pub and the Brekky Creek is one of the best places in town to experience the casual, friendly and outdoor dining that is so much a part of Brisbane culture.
One of the few pubs in Australia to still serve beer "off the wood", the Brekky Creek is also a favourite with the city's punters. It is within walking distance to Albion Park Harness Racing Club. Also, Eagle Farm (Queensland Turf Club) and Doomben (Brisbane Turf Club) racecourses are just down the road in Ascot.
The Pineapple Hotel
Known affectionately as the "Piney", the Pineapple Hotel has come a long way since its opening in 1864. (The hotel takes its name from the many pineapple plantations that dominated the Kangaroo Point landscape in the early 1800s.) Nowadays, the multi-award-winning Piney is known for its superb prime aged steaks (served in the Steakhouse), extensive wine list and casual and friendly atmosphere.
It attracts all comers, from families and business people to sporting enthusiasts who come to watch the big games on the big screens. The Piney is within walking distance to one of Brisbane's most famous sporting grounds, the Gabba.
And if you're up for a bit more action, get together a bunch of mates to kick the footy around, play a little cricket or maybe throw a Frisbee in neighbouring Raymond Park. Along with serving frosty beers for the day's play, the Piney hires out cricket sets and Frisbees.
The Plough Inn
Chris, from the ourbrisbane.com team says: "It's an historic, upmarket hotel that has been renovated in traditional style. The hotel used to be part of the old docklands area - it was overhauled as part of Expo 88."
Built in 1885, The Plough Inn is a grand old South Bank building. It's also one of Brisbane's better-known hotels. Located in the heart of the South Bank Parklands, it's surrounded by gardens with great views of the city's skyline, the Brisbane River and South Bank Beach.
Here you'll find traditional Aussie hospitality with live entertainment, ice-cold beers, sensational steaks, hickory smoked pork ribs and a good old-fashioned pub atmosphere. In addition to the public bar, which has been historically preserved, there's a peaceful beer garden and the verandah. It's the ideal place for a long lunch and there's live music on the weekends.
The Ship Inn
Chris, from the ourbrisbane.com team says: "Ship Inn has really nice finger food and lunch food. You can sit outside and enjoy the scenery - the inn is at the bottom of the Goodwill Bridge and has a lovely atmosphere and outlook."
A well-loved old Brisbane building, the historic Ship Inn, located in the South Bank Parklands near the Goodwill Bridge, was originally a private home. The building became the Ship Inn in 1879. History has been respected in the latest round of renovations, but there's a great funky street bar feel to the place, which features alfresco and formal dining areas and a relaxed beer garden.
The pub has a strong focus on food, featuring an extensive seafood-based menu. Alfresco dining is offered along the pavement in front of the entrance and on the terrace to the side where a tapas menu is available.
The Regatta Hotel
Pat, from the ourbrisbane.com team says: "Unlike other old Brisbane pubs, the Regatta still has its old world charm even after all the renovations. Big verandahs are a feature and it has its own basement distillery."
You'll find a complete cross-section of Brisbane society at The Regatta during any given day of the week. Families, travellers and revellers all hang out here. But at night, this historic hotel hosts a more academic crowd - students from the nearby University of Queensland (UQ).
A fixture on the Brisbane's Toowong reach since 1874, the hotel offers awesome views of the Brisbane River, and is the perfect vantage point for watching rowing regattas. It even has its own ferry stop.
The Royal Exchange Hotel
Sitting on the inner-western fringe of the city centre, The Royal Exchange (or The RE as it's called by locals) is particularly popular with uni students from the nearby UQ.
The pub opened its doors in 1876 as the Railway Hotel, becoming the RE in 1884 when a new licence was issued. A second home to many students, the RE beer garden has played host to countless numbers of "end of exams" celebrations as well as annual events such as the "RE Toga Party" to kick off the uni year. For locals, it's a great place for lunch in the sun, a punt on the TAB, a flutter on the pokies or just a relaxing beer with their mates.
The Normanby Hotel
Entered in the Queensland Heritage Register, the Normanby is also 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.
After a major renovation, the Normanby reopened to pub-loving crowds in 2003 and has become a firm favourite with rugby (union and league) and soccer enthusiasts year-round. The hotel is within walking distance of Suncorp Stadium, home to the Brisbane Broncos and also the Queensland State of Origin matches.
It's also offers great food and live entertainment - and has a large gaming area.
The Fox Hotel
One of the first hotels built in Brisbane (it was constructed in the late 1800s), the Fox has at various stages been an accommodation venue, a watering hotel for thirsty dock workers and a backpackers' hostel. But a recent art deco renovation (think marble bars, alabaster mood lighting and lead crystal chandeliers) has transformed this old pub into one of the most attractive historic watering holes in town.
The pub's Campari Restaurant serves up superb Italian-style cuisine while its Rooftop Bar offers some of the best (360-degree) views of Brisbane.
"To your good health"
Remember, it is illegal to drink and drive in Australia if your blood alcohol concentration is over 0.05. Police conduct random breath testing of drivers. You may want to order a taxi or catch public transport to travel safely.
