How To Spend A Rainy Day In Brisbane

Here in the sunshine state, it’s not often we find ourselves weathering a gloomy, rainy day. But when that day does roll around, it inevitably spoils your weekend plans to sit in the sun drinking an Aperol spritz at a rooftop bar. But not to worry, devoted Sitchu reader, for we have a fix (or a few, rather) to turn your rainy day into a wonderful adventure.

From museums to game rooms, we’ve discovered all of the best ways to spend a rainy day in Brisbane.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electric

If you’re ready to feel like a kid again, walk through the dazzling doors at Archie Brothers Cirque Electric! Opening its doors in late 2023 in Bowen Hills, Archie Brothers is a veritable playground for people of all ages. Enter via the prize room to get a taste of what you could get your hot little hands on, before picking up your game card and getting to work. All your favourite arcade games are on offer, from motorbike racing, dance-offs, air hockey and more. You can even book a lane for bowling, or hit the karaoke room. All of these activities will definitely work up an appetite, so grab a feed and one of the incredible cocktails on offer at the bar. With all the fun you’re having, you’ll be feeling far from blue the next time we have a rainy day in Brisbane.

3/30 King Street, Bowen Hills

Oche

Play darts like never before at Oche in Fortitude Valley! This modern darts bar has gamified boards to make the competition a touch more fierce the next time you’re hunting down something fun to do on a rainy day in Brisbane. You’ll book your very own darts lane with a pal or a group, and from there you can choose from a variety of challenging darts games that you’ll play on a real dartboard, with steel tip darts that look just like normal but have state-of-the-art electronic components that set them apart. You can order food and drink to your darts lane, so you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted fun.

111 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley

B. Lucky & Sons

Step into a neon paradise at B. Lucky & Sons, tucked away in a lane between Chinatown and Brunswick Mall in the Valley. This adult arcade game venue is the perfect place to blow off steam when you’ve been cooped up inside on a rainy day in Brisbane. A treasure trove of fun and interactive games, B. Lucky & Sons features plenty of favourites from your childhood (including our personal favourite, Mario Cart) along with hacky sack tosses and Bashi Bashi to challenge your hand-eye coordination. You can also enjoy drinks and nibbles while you’re here, and the alcoholic bubble teas are not to be missed!

TCB Building, Shop T1/315 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

GOMA

Escape the rain and wake up your brain at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art. GOMA is the perfect way to while away the unhurried hours of a rainy day, as you take your time poring over artworks new and old, local and international. There’s always an immersive exhibition to wander through or engage with, and the GOMA Bistro is not to be missed if you’re feeling a little peckish after consuming all of that culture.

Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane

Queensland Museum

Whilst you might spot a GOMA highlight on the regular when scrolling your Instagram newsfeed, you might have forgotten about the wonders that await you at the Queensland Museum. The Museum acts as a custodian of the state’s natural and cultural heritage, protecting and showcasing over a million items and specimens in collections that tell the story and history of Queensland. Plus, there’s always something on display that will ignite your inner child and sense of wonder.

Sitchu Tip: Park underneath in the P2 car park and take the elevator to escape the rain on your travels!

Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank

See A Film 

If you haven’t been to the flicks in a hot minute, ease yourself back in with a visit to one of these gorgeous cinemas on a rainy day in Brisbane. Here are our favourites:

New Farm Cinema 

This refurbished cinema is fitted out with seventies-style decor, so you feel as if you’re stepping back in time when you step off Brunswick Street into groovy mood lightning. The cinema seats are comfortable and roomy, and you can order drinks and meals to arrive during the movie when you’re in one of the Gold Rooms.

701 Brunswick Street, New Farm

Red Hill Cinema 

A sister venue to the New Farm Cinema, the Red Hill edition features an open seated bar area for you to enjoy a glass of wine before heading upstairs to the cinema. Order hot food and drinks to arrive during the movie to make the most of your escape from the soggy surrounds outside. 

14 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill

Elizabeth Picture Theatre 

Converted from an old bookseller’s warehouse turned Irish Club, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre truly takes you back in time with its ornate detailing, plush, rich red curtains and stained glass features. It makes the perfect romantic setting for any night out for dinner and a movie!

175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City

Pamper Yourself At A Day Spa

Whilst the weather might be inopportune for a day spent in the rooftop pools at Soak Bathhouse, there are plenty of day spas in Brisbane that will make any rainy day an utter delight. Whether you opt for a facial, a full body massage or a Himalayan salt sauna experience, you can escape the sleepy, gloomy grey skies for bliss and relaxation at one of our city's incredible day spa experiences.

Check out our list of favourites for some decadent inspiration on how to spend a rainy day in Brisbane.

Try Indoor Rock Climbing

Ready to discover if rock climbing is your next new obsession? With every second person on your social feed scaling walls at Urban Climb, maybe this is your chance to try out this fun, interactive and challenging workout! It’s a social sport that requires problem-solving, builds strength and requires focus, so it’s an all-around engaging activity to pick your energy levels up on a cold, rainy day in Brisbane. Plus, with all this practice, you’ll be ready to try scaling the Kangaroo Point Cliffs when the sun shines again!

Multiple locations

Learn To Cook Something New

Do rainy days make anyone else snack-y… Or is that just us? If you’re craving something comforting, maybe it’s time you try your hand at something new. You might start by scrolling Pinterest or the Sitchu recipes treasure trove, but you could also begin by getting your hands dirty! Brisbane has a wide variety of cooking classes available that are the perfect way to stay productive and have fun on a rainy day. Grab your bestie or your mum and book in for one of these fun cooking classes in Brisbane.

Visit Hijinx Hotel

If you haven’t yet checked out FunLab’s newest addition to the roster, we highly recommend booking in for a play (or should we say… stay) at Hijinx Hotel. This fun, interactive and high-energy games arcade at Westfield Chermside will release your inner child as you solve puzzles, identify mystery songs and shoot hoops as fast you can as you travel from room to room in the hotel. Once you’ve tried all the rooms, pop out to the bar for a feast and some super fun cocktails.  As a bonus, you can easily park underneath and take the escalators up to avoid the rainy wet weather.

Westfield Shopping Centre, Gympie Road, Chermside

We certainly hope we’ve helped cure your wet weather blues! If you’re looking for more ways to stay busy and dry indoors, perhaps it’s time to catch up on your reading. We’ve wrapped up our hit list of classic Australian novels that are a must-read… perhaps one is awaiting you on the shelf? You could also flip through the digital copy of Sitchu Magazine to stay inspired and up to speed on the latest in homewares, property and more.

We’re always online, so find us @sitchu.brisbane, sharing what’s new and whats on around Brisbane.