Sunshine Coast
You'll find (upcycled) pallets here, along with chatty locals, a communal table and a couple of soccer balls, in case you feel the urge to have a kick on…
Must-see nightlife in Queensland
Brisbane
Trailblazing laneway bar Super Whatnot remains one of Brisbane's coolest drinking holes, an industrial, split-level playpen in the shell of a former…
Cairns
The Jack is a kick-arse pub by any standards, housed in an unmissable heritage Queenslander with an enormous shaded beer garden. There are nightly events,…
Townsville
A surprisingly chic craft bar. Suave 'mixologists' deliver creative cocktails ($18) to a cool crowd looking for something more than a beer-barn swillfest…
Cairns
Tucked away in a little room in a little laneway, this is Cairns' best wine bar, and one of the city's top places for a low-key tipple, whatever your…
Sunshine Coast
The hearts of coffee snobs sing at minimalist Lamkin Lane, where affable baristas like nothing more than chatting about their two speciality blends and…
Brisbane
Looking out at the river, skyline and City Botanic Gardens, lofty Bar Spritz arguably has the best view of Brisbane. It’s a casual, shaded, al-fresco…
Brisbane & Around
Crowning a heritage building, rooftop George Banks will have you thinking you're back in Brisbane. Its urbane booths and bar tables draw a well-dressed,…
Noosa
This ever-attractive spot keeps long hours and the location, on the beach, is superb for a relaxing experience from coffee to cocktail. While it functions…
Brisbane
With its rotating fans, potted palms and Latin-American staff, moody Gertie’s wouldn't look out of place in Havana or Buenos Aires. It's a justifiable hit…
Sunshine Coast
Referencing both the average temperature in Caloundra and the town's degree of latitude, this sneaky, poolside bar hidden away inside the Rumba Resort is…
Brisbane
A chilled-out spot for an afternoon ale or cocktail jug with friends, Riverbar & Kitchen is true to its name, down by the muddy Brisbane River at the base…
Gold Coast
Tipalowe Oberman's tiki bar is filled with her dad's art and her grandparents' furniture. Come for the Mexican-via-Pacific Rim snacks (there are great…
Port Douglas
Port Douglas’ Combined Services Club (sign in as a guest member) has gone a bit fancy since its days of being dubbed the Tin Shed, but the over-water deck…
Gold Coast
A gritty laneway opens into this pumping tiki bar, decked out with a palm-tree ceiling and pineapple wallpaper, where hip young things knock back rum…
Gold Coast
In a twin-business pairing with Canteen Kitchen (mains $12-22) next door, this caffeine cranny casts another vote for Burleigh Heads as the Gold Coast's…
Port Douglas
Dating to 1878, this expansive timber building has three bars and a large rear garden where you can settle in to watch live music or movies on the big…
Brisbane
While the space itself is a little peculiar (the gym flooring reveals its previous life), the floor-to-ceiling view is undisputedly shashing. Perched atop…
Outback Queensland
The most central and enduringly popular of Isa's clubs, Buffs has the Blue Tongue sports bar, Boomerang coffee shop, a cocktail bar, a sun deck and live…
Cape Tribulation
The imposing open-sided timber restaurant-bar at PK's Jungle Village is something of an entertainment hub with big-screen TVs, loud music, pool tables,…
Gold Coast
The Broadbeach Bowling Club is home to the best greens in Australia – it hosted the bowling competition for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Its bright and…
Gold Coast
The walls are covered in photos of rock legends, from Bowie to Motörhead, at this totally old-school hard rock and metal bar. Yes, there's grub to be had,…
Townsville
Who doesn't love a rooftop bar? The hostel location keeps things casual, although the well-to-do don't mind dropping by to experience the infectiously…
Cairns
It may not be on the favoured backpacker circuit, but this iconic pub has retained all the knockabout charm it's been famous for since opening in 1926…
Noosa
Worn timber tables, mounted surfboards and a shaded wooden deck give Little Cove a rustic look and a free-spirited vibe. Choose from a number of house…
Townsville & Mission Beach
There are not as many pubs in Charters Towers as there used to be, but still way too many by standards of economic reasoning, and not enough by the lore…
Cairns
Housed in a revamped shed on the Cairns Wharf, the ginormous Hemingway's sports a 19m bar and 20 beer taps. Many of the brews are named after bawdy…
Brisbane
Keeping Paddington awake, this roaster-cafe is one of several Merlos around town (a local success story). Bite a biscuit or sniff at some slice, but what…
Gold Coast
The Black Hops crew run a friendly and fun taproom, where you can enjoy a tasting paddle or sample whatever craft delight they've currently got on their…
Fortitude Valley
Part of the sprawling Bunk Backpackers complex, Birdees fills, predictably, with hedonistic backpackers. Head up for three bars, a swimming pool and…
Townsville
Eight craft beers on tap should be reason enough to come, but this is one place where you're allowed to pour your own. Buy your prepaid card, tap next to…
Gold Coast
Find your way to the rear laneway, look for the red door, text the number to get in – yes, a speakeasy bar has landed in Burleigh. Once you get inside,…
Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club
Brisbane & Around
On weekend afternoons, locals and in-the-know out-of-towners head here to kick back on the outdoor deck, sipping cheap beers and soaking up the…
Cairns
Established in 1926, this laid-back haunt is worth visiting just to rest your beer on the bar – an 11m-long carved crocodile! There's usually live music…
Fortitude Valley
French for ‘the hive’, split-level Laruche is indeed buzzing, with a decadent, outrageous fit-out and chilled, eye-candy crowds downing cocktails and…
Brisbane
Down a deadend alley, cavernous, buzzing Brew pours decent coffee and serves simple food (tapas, pastas, sliders) to go with the black stuff. Wines,…
Sunshine Coast
Kick back in a cushioned lounge or perch at one of the concrete bar tables at this sheltered, al-fresco bar. Bites include tapas ($10 to $20) and pizzas (…
Brisbane
Beneath the bridge at Kangaroo Point, this beautiful 1886 pub and beer garden is perfect for a pint after a long day exploring. Regular live music (see…
Townsville
This historic 1901 pub in Townsville's bustling centre is not exactly a tranquil haven, but it's great for a beer at any time and is the city's landmark…
Brisbane
An oval-shaped marble bar, black lacquered floorboards and charcoal-coloured walls conjure up a deliciously sinister atmosphere here – enough of an excuse…
