The Best 10 Bars We Could Find in Queensland

Buffalo Bar’s mission is to bring the USA down under via a menu of American classics. From a drinks perspective, you’ll find an amazing selection of bottled craft beer and American Whiskey to keep you busy all night long.

The Buffalo Bar love their weekly themes, which include:
$18 schnittys all every Monday
Wing Wednesday which will get you 1kg of wings for $19
6 pm Trivia every Monday, which offers some very cool prizes for winners

All of the above pairs perfectly with some sports, and Buffalo Bar is one of Brisbane’s finest sports bars. You’ll find all the biggest sporting events live on their high-quality big-screen TVs that are perfectly positioned throughout the venue.

Buffalo Bar very kindly schedule their sporting events but leave it open for anything you may want to watch that they haven’t planned for. Simply let them know, and they’ll work it in!

We simply have to talk about Brisbane’s most iconic riverside rooftop bar. Friday’s offers 180-degree views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, this is THE Friday after-work drinks spot.

However, Friday is not the only day that has this place popping off, as the Bottomless Sundays, which runs weekly from 12 pm till 4 pm. The venue also offers a wide selection of small plates that pair perfectly with some craft beers or cocktails. These nibbles get pretty creative as well. We’re talking cheeseburger spring rolls and mushroom arancini as some standouts.

If you are popping in for a work meeting during the week, the $15 lunches Monday to Saturday will keep the expense account in check. Friday’s is also the home of many an after-party, so check the schedule to see who is spinning the decks for some late night fun. There’s always something happening at this spot!

From the balcony to the bar, or out in the courtyard, the Regatta Hotel is a Brisbane institution well-loved by the locals. Overlooking the Brisbane River, you’ll find one of the largest selections of craft beers, wines and top-shelf spirits in Queensland here. The venue is huge, featuring a Front Bar, Street Cafe, high-end dining and our favourite area, The Boatshed.

This pub is so close to the river that it’s been flooded four times. Toowong’s home away from home has stood proudly since 1874 and is the perfect place to soak up the river air over a cheap jug of beer or cider during their ‘Pitcher Perfect Sundays’ special.

The menu features all of your pub classics and is well-known for its steak. All of this comfort food pairs perfectly with a cold beer and river view while you catch up with friends or chat with the friendly locals.

You may be noticing a theme with our picks and the river, but to be fair, it’s an excellent place to have a drink. Riverland ticks this box while offering five separate kitchens focusing on authentic street food from around the world. All tastes are accounted for at Riverland, making it the perfect spot to meet up with a group.

Carolina Kitchen is the only permanent option, with the rest of Riverland’s 20-foot shipping containers rotating to keep things interesting. From BBQ ribs to buffalo wings and burgers, Carolina Kitchen guarantees you’ll always have access to classic American street food whenever you visit.

The remainder of your choices spans the globe with two bars serving up cocktails, wines, and beers to make sure you never get thirsty. Gather the crew for pre-drinks, enjoy them while overlooking the Brisbane River, then head into the city post-dinner. Riverland is perfectly situated to set up a great night.

The Wickham Hotel has morphed over the years into the stylish hangout it is now, complete with one of the finest alfresco beer gardens in Fortitude Valley. Originally built in 1885 as ‘the Oriental Hotel’, this LGBTQI+ friendly venue is now a progressive spot to check out some of the best local musicians in Queensland.

This heritage building has four bars, function spaces and a club that range from the industrial interiors to the bright garden bar where you can enjoy loaded chips and pizza with a cocktail jug to wash it all down. There is trivia every Thursday night and a street cafe that is active during the day for a quick take-away lunch.

Add in some regular comedy nights and DJ events, and The Wickham becomes more than just a spot for some giant Jenga (they have that as well).

The Crown Hotel in Lutwyche is a 140-year-old pub with a multi-million dollar makeover inclusive of a bistro, sports bar and beer garden, all of which have been given a wave with the cool wand.

The best part is that the pub still has plenty of heritage charm and is a comfortable spot for dinner on a weeknight or beers on a Sunday. The menu is casual and ranges from pub classics to share plates that feature fried halloumi and beef tartare with loads of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well.

Swing down, enjoy the giant wall mural as you gaze out over the balcony and soak in the beauty of Lutwyche at The Crown.

If you are looking for a stylish yet intimate vibe, the Cleveland Sands Hotel in Brisbane’s east offers views over Raby Bay Harbour and some comfortable surroundings for a drink and a chat.

There is also a delicious bistro menu that features Mediterranean-inspired dishes, pizza, pasta and a vegan moussaka that is a must-try. They also have loads of weekly specials that create a great excuse to pop down for a visit, like $15 steak Mondays, schnitzel on Tuesdays and $10 southern fried chicken every single day of the week!

Trivia night is every Wednesday, and karaoke is every Friday. So while it can be a laid-back time, it’s always a fun time at Clevland Sands.

The Everton Park Hotel is the perfect, suburban family-friendly spot that truly caters to everyone. This South East Queensland hotel boasts a million-dollar Children’s Playcentre to keep the kids happy while the parents enjoy a relaxing beer. This Playcentre is so big; it even has its own Carousel!

The hotel has plenty more to offer, including a bistro, lounge bar, sports bar, TAB facilities, gaming room and even some accommodation, so you don’t have to worry about going home. In addition, kids eat free every Monday, and there is a dessert happy hour every night from 7:30om where you’ll get sweet treats for half the price.

Coffee lovers can even swing by in the morning to get fresh coffee from 8am every day, matched with fresh cakes from CC’s bar and lounge. The Everton Park Hotel really has all bases covered!

​​For a little fun, the rainforest meets the reef at the breathtaking Palm Cove Tavern. They’ve really gone out of their way to create a tropical oasis via a huge outdoor space that has all of the tropical vibes you could need.

The menu is full of Aussie classics with some tropical touches, which you can enjoy while watching a match on the big screen or in the sun via the sprawling beer garden. Feel free to bring your pooch to this very dog-friendly spot that even has a giant annual dog show that raises money for local pet charities.

There’s Drag Bingo, Schnittys session, $1 wings and kids eating for free every Monday from 5pm. With a venue that looks this good, with this much on, why would you go anywhere else?

The Wallaby Hotel in the heart of the Hinterland was established back in 1883 as a place of respite for the Mudgeeraba community. As one of the oldest pubs on the Gold Coast, The Wallaby Hotel maintains its heritage charm offering a bistro and open-air deck, complete with kids play area, public bar, gaming lounge and accommodation.

This is the spot for some great local live music from acts of all sizes. You can enjoy a classic pub menu, trivia every Wednesday and a night of live blues music every Thursday. The Wallaby Hotel is an absolute must-visit the next time you are in Mudgeeraba.