Entertainment in Brisbane
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Breakfast Creek Hotel
In a great rambling building dating from 1889, this historic pub is a Brisbane institution. Built in French Renaissance style, the pub encompasses various bars (including a beer garden and an art-deco 'private bar' where you can still drink draft beer tapped from a wooden keg). The stylish, modern Substation No 41 bar serves boutique beers and cocktails.
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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
The Press Club is an elegant spot of amber hues, leather sofas and ottomans, glowing chandeliers and fabric-covered lanterns, giving it a touch of Near Eastern glamour. Live music happens on Thursday – jazz, funk, rockabilly – while DJs spin on weekends.
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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
Exposed-brick walls, gilded mirrors and antique chandeliers lend a classy, old-fashioned vibe to this long, narrow bar. The cocktails are top-notch (and priced accordingly), and there's a tiny patio in the back. Live jazz Tuesday to Thursday; DJs spin on weekends.
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Family
One of Brisbane's best nightclubs, Family exhilarates dance junkies every weekend on four levels with two dance floors, four bars, four funky themed booths and a top-notch sound system.
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Brisbane Jazz Club
Beautifully sited overlooking the river, this tiny club has been a beacon for jazz purists since 1972. The space is small and intimate, and anyone who's anyone in the jazz scene plays here when they're in town. Sets happen Thursday to Sunday nights; there's usually a cover charge of $15 to $20.
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Story Bridge Hotel
Beneath the bridge at Kangaroo Point, this beautiful old pub with beer garden is the perfect place for a pint after a long day exploring. Live jazz on Sunday (from 3pm).
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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 (20 by the glass) 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.
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Queensland Conservatorium
South of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the Conservatorium hosts opera, as well as national and international artists playing classical, jazz, rock and world music. Many concerts are free.
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Lychee Lounge
Sink into the lush furniture and stare up at the macabre doll-head chandeliers at this exotic oriental lounge bar, with mellow beats, mood lighting and an open frontage to Boundary St.
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Beat MegaClub
Five dance floors, six bars and hardcore techno equals the perfect place for dance junkies who like their beats hard. It's popular with the gay and lesbian crowd, with regular drag performances.
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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.
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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 Cafe
Tin ceilings, wood-panelled walls and globe lights lend an old-fashioned charm to the front room of this buzzing space, while out the back, the beer garden provides a laid-back setting for sampling brews (including 30-plus Belgian beers) and high-end bistro fare.
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