Entertainment in Queensland
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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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Tin Shed
Port Douglas' Combined Services Club is a locals' secret. This is a rare find: bargain dining on the waterfront, and even the drinks are cheap. Sign in, line up and grab a table on the river- or shore-fronting deck.
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Morocco's
Run by Koala Backpackers, Morocco's is Hervey Bay's only true nightclub. It is usually crowded with young, hard-drinking, looking to hook-up backpackers. There is a strict ID policy (no-one under 18), but once you get past the giant bouncers, you'll be inside a disco-like noise-proof dance hall with multicoloured lights and a giant flat screen TV playing MTV's latest hits.
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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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Australian Outback Spectacular
This is a 1½-hour dinner and show in a 1000-seat arena. The venue captures the spirit of the Australian outback with displays of brilliant horsemanship, stampeding cattle and even a little boot scootin’ to music written by Australian country singer Lee Kernaghan. You’re given a stockman’s hat to keep; dinner is three courses of outback tucker.
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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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Blue Sky Brewery
Here’s a sparkling new drinking hall and brewery that caters for foodies and beer-lovers. A ‘snow rail’ keeps the average barflys’ beer cool, and you can try all seven premises-made brews on a taster-tray for $16. Foodwise, the malt from the brewery goes to the tablelands cattle, which end up in the kitchen. True-blue beery beef.
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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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Great Western Hotel
Looking like a spaghetti-western film set, this 116-year-old pub is home to Rocky's cowboys and -gals. Out back there's a rodeo arena where every Wednesday (which is also two-for-one meal night in the bistro) and Friday night you can watch poor brave fools try to ride bucking bulls and broncos. DJs and occasional live acts also feature on Friday night.
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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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Cato’s
This firmly established wine bar gets packed on warm summer nights by masters of the smart casual. Whirling fans keep the breeze running down the polo tops of the 30-plus crowd, as you peruse the 30-strong wine list and spill your own life story. The regular live music gets loud!
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Reef Hotel
Classic country meets coast at the grandstanding Reef Hotel, a multifloored long-time favourite. The downstairs club cranks until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day, patrons watch or gamble on sport, munch hearty pub meals and spread sand all over the place.
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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
Uber is a bit decadent like an old-style boutique hotel, with its brushed steel and polished dark wood. The music varies, but weekends are dedicated to pure main-room house. There's a fine 'beer boutique and bistro' – called Archive – on the lower level.
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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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Magnum’s
Imagine a giant bottle of champagne. Now imagine five hundred sunburned 21-somethings jumping around in a vast outdoor venue with cheap champagne and cheap beds. Magnum’s is a classic backpacker party; we say whack it on an ironic ‘do-before-you-die’ list.
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