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The Best Fortitude Valley Bars to Begin an Evening Adventure
Hunting down a good time? Check out some of the best bars in Fortitude Valley for wine, spirits and good cheer.
The sprawling, eccentric and sometimes notorious suburb of Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane’s most iconic areas, not only for arts and culture, but for the vibrant nightlife that unfolds after dark. Packed to the brim with music venues, restaurants, wine bars and more, this bustling suburb thrives during the evening and idles to a simmer during the day.
Whether you’re chasing pumping music and cocktails or a refined and quiet sipping saloon, we’ve found the best bars in Fortitude Valley to visit this weekend.
So What Stereo
Looking for a bar on the chill side? So What Stereo is serving up coffee, bevs, vinyl tunes and Thai comfort food from their cosy livingroom-esque space. Everyone is invited to kick back in So What’s nook of the city, where classic comfort dishes like boat noodles, congee and curry are paired with a host of 10/10 coffee roasts.
4/15 Little Street, Fortitude Valley
The Gatsby
Consider yourself a connoisseur? The Gatsby beckons with one of the most extensive selections of drinks, liqueurs and cocktails in the city. A 74-page menu showcases a mix of classics alongside some fantastic new twists on your favourites.
Sitchu Tip: If you feel like splurging on a bottle of something special, go right ahead. If you don’t finish it on the day, you can safely store it in the building’s original 1887 vault, where it will await your next visit. We’ll wager you won’t want to leave it too long before returning to this beautiful bar!
740 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Valley Hops Brewing
Valley Hops Brewing is a rooftop brewery, crafting independent beer that represents the vibrant, grungy and utterly unique character of the notorious Fortitude Valley district.
The clever crew behind the beer invite you to celebrate the liveliness, noise and energy that this part of Brisbane is known for, at their welcoming rooftop bar. A place to unwind and watch over the Valley, as its heartbeat pounds around you.
Rooftop Brewery, 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Nok Nok
A mysterious green door awaits you on Brunswick Street. Embellished with an old-fashioned brass door knocker, once you step through you’ll be transported into a lamp-lit, tropical-themed bar.
On the menu at Nok Nok is a mix of bespoke cocktails and boutique wines that lend a holiday ambience sans plane ticket.
362 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Maya Rooftop
If you haven’t heard of Maya, we may have to dig you out from under that rock you’ve been living under. Fortitude Valley’s favourite rooftop bar is the place to be and to be seen.
Mixing Mexican-inspired food with panoramic views of Brisbane, Maya serves up classic Mexican cocktails along with house summery specials like the Frozen Passionfruit Margarita, made with Patron Reposado, passoa, passionfruit, vanilla, pineapple, orange and lime.
757 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
BrewDog
The internationally famed, Scottish-born, carbon-negative brewery has arrived in Fortitude Valley, and we’re all the better for it. Opposite the Valley Metro, in the heart of Brisbane’s grungiest nightlife district, lies a beacon of better brewing, known as Brewdog.
Pouring sustainably made craft beer, ginger beer and shandies, you can also enjoy wine and cocktails at this roomy bar in Brisbane. There are plenty of tasty eats on the menu, too, with half of the options being plant-based.
235 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Savile Row
A hidden gem that will transport you straight to the streets of London, Savile Row’s vintage décor and classic cocktail list will have you hooked instantly. Hidden behind an unassuming orange door on Ann Street, this sultry speakeasy is decked out in dark woods, giant chandeliers and swathes of brass and leather.
If you want a taste of London circa 1930, this is where you’ll find it. Boasting one of the largest spirits collections in the city, you’ll never be bored selecting a drink at this must-do bar in Fortitude Valley.
667 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Dark Red
For lovers of wine and trying new things, Dark Red is one of the best bars in Fortitude Valley. Wander down Bakery Lane in Fortitude Valley, and you’ll discover a moody little wine nook, filled to the brim with a top-notch, Italian-leaning wine menu. You’ll find plenty of oranges, pet nats and skin contact drops, too.
Choose from the curated list of daily drops, or ask for a recommendation that’s guaranteed to knock your socks off. Dark Red has a casual, cosy feel that will keep you coming back time and time again. Plus, if you’re lucky, you may even meet the resident rescue pooch, Daisy!
694 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
SOKO Rooftop
The Amazonian-inspired SOKO Rooftop is the place to be if you fancy a party. Enjoy uninhibited views over the Brisbane city skyline as you sip from the extensive drinks list that spans cocktails, mocktails, wine and sake.
Dine on their signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion food that will tantalise your tastebuds as you watch the sun go down over the city.
Level 14/470 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley
The Nixon Room
The Nixon Room pays homage to years past with deep hues, tan leather armchairs and oak panelling, in a moody venue destined to inspire you to unwind. This hidden gem of a bar is the perfect escape from a busy day, serving up cold cocktails and snacks to treat your palate.
There’s no signage to announce The Nixon Room’s existence, but you’ll find it by slipping through ESSA Restaurant, or by wandering down the fig-tree-lined laneway off Robertson Street.
Once you’re ensconced within the moody interiors, surrounded by marble and leather with an expertly mixed drink in hand, you’ll know exactly why this bar scored a place on the list.
3/181 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley
Netherworld
The ultimate grown-up playground, Netherworld invites you in for a night of unique craft beers, creative cocktails, tasty eats and an incredible array of games. Hosting 15 pinball machines, 25 arcade machines, classic consoles and bookshelves stacked with board games, there’s never a dull moment in this colourful and quirky drinking destination.
While you’re here, tuck into a hearty burger or vegan feed, and sip from 24 taps of local beers, ciders and mixed elixirs.
186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Sixes & Sevens
The vibes at Sixes & Sevens are unmissable to any passersby on James Street, leading to an eventual expansion of their outdoor seating as the walls of this 1878 cottage spilled over with jolly patrons.
From the exterior, the uniquely Queensland aesthetic of the white facade shines through, and once you’re indoors, you’ll feel immediately at home with intimate lounge-style seating and wide-open window seats (perfect for sundowners).
On the menu you’ll find snacks and share plates, burgers, bowls and boards to complement the range of cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine on offer.
67 James Street, Fortitude Valley
Now that you’ve explored all the best bars in Fortitude Valley, you might be a little peckish. Check out the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley, or find one of Brisbane’s newest restaurants to elevate your evening.
