Hidden Bars in Brisbane: Secret Spots You Need to Know

There’s just something about a hidden bar that hits differently. The mysterious ambience, the laneways, the curated menus of craft cocktails — they’re a guaranteed good time.

But where to find them? Brisbane has quite the hidden bar scene with bars tucked behind dressing rooms, barbershops and even inside other bars. Ready to hunt them down? From West End to Fortitude Valley, explore cocktail bars and romantic date night locations with us as we count down the best hidden bars in Brisbane.

Shaman

Tucked below Edward Street in the heart of the city, Shaman is a vibey, low-lit den of good times. Detail is the name of the game here, with a focus on simplicity and excellence. Think classic cocktails, made with precision. The focus is on tequila and rum, alongside top-tier imported cerveza. As for the soundtrack, expect to be serenaded by a regular rotation of Santana, jazz and soul.

109 Edward Street, Brisbane

Antico Bar

From the talented crew behind some of our favourite Brisbane bars, Death & Taxes and Dr Gimlette, Antico Bar is a stunning Italian-inspired, three-level cocktail bar housed within the CBD’s Burnett Lane (the oldest lane in Brisbane, which once served as an exercise yard for prisoners!). The exposed brick, sunken lounge and sparkling arch back bar set the mood for a date night, catch up or a cosy spot to unwind after a long day at the desk.

48 Burnett Lane, Brisbane City

Death & Taxes

Calling Brisbane’s oldest laneway home, Death & Taxes is home to knowledgeable and skilled bartenders who can recommend a poison to suit your palate from their wealth of options and creative menu offerings.

As you cross the tiled threshold to the moody interior (inspired by the underground bars of Paris and London) of cosy booths, intimate lighting and 100-year-old wood-panelled floors, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.

With over 1000 spirit bottles on the shelf and extensive spirit, wine and beer menus, there’s a tipple for every taste bud at this glamorous hidden haunt.

36 Burnett Lane, Brisbane

Explored all of the Best Hidden Bars in Brisbane? You Might Also Like…

Bars

A Guide To The Best Wine Bars In Brisbane

Looking for a wine list that exceeds expectations? Each one of these wine bars holds something special for you.

Read More

What’s On

Brisbane Food Markets for a Tasty Night Out

Hungry for something but you’re not quite sure what? These Brisbane food markets are the best place to start!

Read More

Cobbler

Founded on a deep passion for whisky and with a mission to bring fun back to Mondays, Cobbler is a stalwart of the elevated cocktail scene in Brisbane.

Unassumingly taking its place on Browning Street in West End, Cobbler’s is constantly innovating and pushing boundaries to ensure they can offer their visitors incredible experiences, whilst they can have fun doing it!

7 Browning Street, West End

Next Episode

An unassuming barber shop fronts onto Fish Lane and, if you’re not paying attention you may be inclined to walk right past it. But if you pick up the red phone on the wall, and enter a secret code, the mirrored wall unlocks and opens up into a speakeasy serving up incredible cocktails, great beats and good times.

Often hosting a local DJ to ensure the vibes are top-notch, this is the perfect spot to hit for a cocktail after work or before enjoying dinner at one of the many incredible venues on Fish Lane. Head to Next Episode’s Instagram account for clues on how to gain access.

27 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane

Brew

If you’re in the CBD and scouting for a quiet hideaway, head down Lower Burnett Lane. Tucked at the end is Brew Cafe & Wine Bar.

You can enjoy Brew’s delicious eats, coffee and drinks at any time of day, but if you’re stopping by in the evening, you can enjoy tapas and share boards that go down a treat with their range of wine, beer and cocktails.

Lower Burnett Lane, Brisbane City

Greaser

If you’re looking for a secret bar with a gritty edge, Greaser is your best bet. Tucked down an unassuming lane in Fortitude Valley just off Brunswick Street, this grungy bar offers American eats, local as well as American craft beer, live music and a relaxed ambience.

If you’re feeling competitive, grab a cue and sink a game of pool while you’re here.

Live music thrives at Greaser, with free shows running regularly and local bands cutting their teeth on the low-set stage. It’s also one of the best spots in town for a pickleback shot if you dare.

259 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

The Tailors

Naturally, the best hidden bars in Brisbane tend to assume late-night boozing as a prerequisite. But at The Tailors — a Latin-American-inspired cocktail and rum bar hidden behind Rodriguez & Co tailors shop — things are taken up a notch.

Step through the dressing room mirror and enter a coveted world of decadent hospitality, skilfully mixed drinks, and lavish decor. The 40-plus-strong rum list alone is enough to draw most, with classic and harder-to-find labels poured in just about every way you can think of.

Stop by for a pre-dinner aperitif and try the Paradise Love featuring spiced rum, cognac, strawberry, vanilla, raspberry, and lemon. Plush furnishings, killer cocktails…and live music?  We’ll drink to that!

16A Logan Road, Woolloongabba

Savile Row

This glamorous speakeasy has been a Brisbane favourite for many years. With a stunning chandelier, top-tier service and a gorgeous ambience, you’ll soon understand why. Hidden in plain sight on Ann Street, you only have to push open the orange door to find the secrets within.

Savile Row‘s cocktail menu boasts 20 different clever creations, but with around 900 spirits on offer, 20 rotating wines and more, the bar staff are more than happy to whip up something special just for you.

667 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar

Step through an unassuming refrigerator door into the Hawaiian-themed live music oasis that is Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar. Increasing in popularity around the fringe element of Brisbane’s nightlife scene, Suzie’s hosts a variety of bands, from grunge rock to funk.

They also offer jam nights, so if you’re inclined to hop up on stage, this is your time to shine.

678 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Miss Demeanour

Tucked underground in the heart of the CBD, Miss Demeanour is the home of great food, drinks and company. This little laneway bar is well hidden in Rowes Lane but is a total crowd-pleaser when it comes to a wide menu to suit a variety of palates, local craft beer on tap and plenty of boozy cocktails to kick off your happy hour or night out.

Miss D’s often has live music on offer and is perfect for a date night or a get-together with all of your friends. Pull up a seat at a barrel and enjoy a Machu Beetchu margarita or a Rosey Cheeks spritz.

Rowes Lane, Brisbane

Can You Keep A Secret

Clearly, we can’t. But this secret is too good to keep!

Can You Keep A Secret is not only a sneaky lounge bar but also a vintage store, function space and live music venue. Wall to wall in understated retro elegance, this bar offers a curated list of considered cocktails designed to be savoured. You can also order bar snacks or pizza from the nearby Stone & Brew.

619-621 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba

Mrs J’s Rabbits Speakeasy

You’ll need a secret password to enter Mrs J’s, once you find it tucked away inside Electric Avenue (one of Woollongabba’s best-loved bars). This 1920s-style bar will transport you right into the past with its moody lighting and Chesterfield lounges. In true speakeasy style, Mrs J’s does whisky and jazz best, so enjoy one of their specialty cocktails whilst reclining in comfort and style.

 23 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

Now that you’ve discovered all of Brisbane’s best hidden bars, why not take to the skies at one of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane? They’re perfect for happy hour drinks or cocktail nights with your best pals.