Entertainment in Brisbane
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Gabba
Brisbanites are fanatical about sport, particularly the variety that involves ‘wielding the willow’ and ‘bowling a bouncer’. At the start of every summer, the first international test cricket match of the season is always played at the famous Gabba ground. The drama unfolds over five days, or there are shorter versions of the game to check out. One-day internationals and the slog-fest Twenty20 matches (lasting about three hours) are usually played between January and March.
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Tivoli
International artists such as Nick Cave and Noel Gallagher have graced the stage at this elegant, old art deco venue built in the early 20th century. Hosting a range of touring acts, you’re likely to see quality comedy here, too.
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Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Blockbuster musicals, orchestral performances, dance and other theatre is staged at this colossal centre. There are four world-class concert venues for everything from French ballet to Chicago.
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Suncorp Stadium
One of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport is the State of Origin rugby league match held at least once a year at the ‘cauldron’, Suncorp Stadium, between the mighty maroons (Queensland) and the blues (NSW). The local rugby league team, the Brisbane Broncos, play home games at Suncorp Stadium and it also hosts international tests.
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Press Club
A huge leap forward in Brisbane bar design and decor when it first opened 10 years ago, Press Club still scrubs up OK against its sexy Valley rivals. Rich, maroon-coloured walls and leather seating banks provide a dark, sophisticated atmosphere, and the open-air courtyard is a welcome new addition. DJs most nights; occasional live funk and jazz bands.
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Suncorp Piazza
The Suncorp Piazza is an open, outdoor theatre that screens free international sporting events, free movies during the school holidays and short films during festival periods. It also acts as a concert venue and a place for impromptu performances by street artists. Free swing dancing classes are held here on the last Saturday of every month.
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GPO
The old post office in Fortitude Valley is the setting for this funky bar. Downstairs you'll find a stylish bar filled with young trendies, while upstairs offers chilled tunes and the occasional live band. It seems the clientele are ready for a party any night of the week, as Paris Hilton discovered when she arrived late one Wednesday.
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Bowery
Smartly dressed bartenders shake up deceptively potent cocktails at this multi-award-winning bar. The Bowery is long, thin and tight on space; cool inner-city types wedge themselves into booths as live jazz bands bust out tunes on a tiny stage near the entrance. Spruce up; door security can be snooty.
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Family
Glam up baby: this four-level giant is Brisbane’s biggest party nightclub. The main room pumps out trance, house and electro; international DJs are on the bill most Saturday nights. You might even see the occasional acrobat or percussion player accompanying the DJs. Sunday is ‘fluffy’ gay night.
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Brisbane Jazz Club
Perched on the riverside, this little old wooden boatshed comes alive at night as Brisbane’s best port for traditional, swing and contemporary jazz. Known for its friendly atmosphere and lively gigs, the club hosts all the big names in jazz. Views from the river deck are magnificent.
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Story Bridge Hotel
Situated under the Story Bridge, this giant hotel has three lively bars, a restaurant (great steaks!) and plenty of open breezy spaces. The swingin’ Up The River jazz band have been the resident Sunday act for well over a decade – catch them from 3pm in the Outback Bar.
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Uber
This superstylish club has free entry every night, which means you might catch an international touring DJ for nothing. The design is pure glamour with copper, stainless steel and dark wood fittings. The front bar is for lounging; hit the dance floor in the back room.
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Zoo
A long-standing supporter of independent music: most touring Australian bands have earned their stripes playing the Zoo at some stage in their career. A mid-sized venue with a well-raised stage, acts range from hip hop, rock and dub to acoustic, folk and reggae.
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Little Jumbo Cocktail Bar
After sunset, from Wednesday to Sunday, the permanent decks at this city cafe-cum-bar get a good workout when DJs spin funk into the wee hours. More lounge bar than dance venue, the funky punters sip boutique beers and cocktails in-between buzzy conversations.
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Cru Bar & Cellar
A mind-boggling menu of 400 wines is on offer at this classy bar, which also features a very impressive on-site cellar for connoisseurs. Sommeliers can help you with gourmet food and wine matching. It could be a little heavy on the wallet, but irresistible.
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Queensland Conservatorium
The delicate notes of violins and dramatic crescendos of orchestral drums ring out from the Conservatorium, also the state’s leading classical music school. Located at South Bank, it presents around 200 performances a year including jazz and opera.
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Lychee Lounge
This stylish little cocktail bar in West End’s main drag pumps out jazzy lounge music all night long. Wacky designers were let loose on this place – barramundi-skin walls and Barbie-doll-head chandeliers are as quirky as it gets. Brilliant!
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Beat Mega Club
Every single night of the year, the Beat is open and firing on all cylinders. Popular with the gay and lesbian crowd, there are regular drag performances, five dance floors, six bars and some extremely hardcore techno. Free before 10.30pm.
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Alhambra Lounge
This place caters to clubbers who have outgrown their glow sticks. Themed around a Spanish castle, the dark red interiors are filled with sofas and private booths. Tunes are typically break-beat, house and new-school funk.
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Ric’s Café
Squeeze in if you can: this tiny but very cool venue in the Brunswick St Mall has indie, rock and acoustic acts playing every night of the week. There’s outside seating and a balcony upstairs for some breathing space.
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Sportsman’s Hotel
A popular gay venue, this lively no-frills pub is famous for ‘camp karaoke’ and fabulous drag shows. There are also pool tables and hearty pub fare. On Leichhardt St, look out for the birdcagelike front smoking area.
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Alibi Room
Kitschy trinkets are scattered around this fun retro bar, which is a popular hang-out for New Farm locals. The downstairs tiki bar houses Alibi’s ultimate tacky attraction – a mini in-house waterfall.
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Belgian Beer Café
A brassy city-centre pub, there are 30 Belgian nectars to sample here with Hoegaarden, Leffe Blonde and others on tap. Bartenders recommend trying one of Belgium’s premium golden pale ales, Duvel.
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La Boite Theatre Company
This intimate venue was purpose-built for theatre-in-the-round. The company produces plays by Australian and international playwrights; ask about discounts for under-30s.
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