Congrats, you’ve survived another week of being a grown up; time for a stiff drink (and maybe a nap!). This weekend cues the beginning of a marathon eating binge in Brisbane: every restaurant, chef, food truck, café and winemaker are out and about wanting to fill our bellies. Forks at the ready! From degustation menus, artisan markets, foodie events and BBQ classes, don’t be a prisoner to the winter chill, dust off your winter warmers and get out!
Here are our picks of things to do in Brisbane this weekend. Have a good one!
Friday 1 July
Australian-Inspired Degustation | Thomson’s Reserve
Let the feasting commence! Kicking off Good Food Month, get yourself to Thomson’s Reserve’s five-course meal tasting menu. Inspired by Australia, the degustation will feature native and home-grown ingredients with boutique wines, ciders and gin to match. Delightful!
When: 1-2 July
Where: Thomson's Reserve, Brisbane CBD
Tickets: $158pp. Get yours here
Cinémathèque | QAGOMA
If you’re an Ab Fab fan then you’ve probably been giggling your way through the last two weeks with Eddy and Patsy as the Australian Cinémathèque revisits the first series of ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. For those of you who have missed out, there’s still time to grab your sweetie darlings and see the last of this one-off cinema presentation.
When: 1st of July at 6pm
Where: QAGOMA, South Brisbane (Cinema A)
Free event
Knockoff Free Comedy | Brisbane Powerhouse
In need of a good belly laugh come Friday? We know we are! Powerhouse also know that Fridays are for cutting loose and shaking off the woes of the week, so come along to their free stand-up comedy night, Knockoff for fun times on the cheap. Grab your pals, and knock off early for a night of laughs. BYO sense of humour.
When: 1st of July at 6pm
Where: Brisbane Powerhouse
Free event
Captain America: Civil War Drive-In Movie Night | Eat Street Drive-In
Step back in time, and catch a movie in the confort of your own front seat at Eat Street Market's Retro Drive-In Movies! Kick off the weeknd with Marvel's action-loving hero, Captain America on Eat Street's giant screen, while tucking in to a box of popcorn—all delivered to your (car) door by the segway-driving staff. Neat!
When: 1-2 July, 7:30pm sharp
Where: Eat Street Drive-In Movies
Tickets: Click here to book
Five Bands Five Bucks | The Zoo
Lovers of live music and lashings of beer will be pleased as punch with The Zoo’s next event line up. With Mountain Goat Beer quenching your thirst, and killer acts including Pixies, The Young Art, Cassette Cathedral, SIMON SIMON, First Beige, and Black Sun providing the beats, this will be one helluva night!
When: 1st of July from 8pm
Where: The Zoo
Tickets: $5. Get yours here
Saturday 2 July
Festival of the Free | Buffalo Bar
As an American-themed bar and restaurant, CBD favourite, Buffalo Bar felt it was simply criminal to not celebrate all things American for the upcoming 4th of July Independence Day. In comes the Festival of the Free! A full three-day festival of live music, trivia, a statue of liberty-sized food challenge, beer pong and an all-Americana themed lunch with their famous signature wings, beef brisket and apple pie. USA! USA! USA!
When: 1-3 July
Where: 169 Mary Street, Brisbane
Teneriffe Festival
Brisbane’s much-loved and biggest foodie festival is back and bigger than ever this weekend! With more than 40 of the best local bars and restaurants offering up delicious dishes on the day, a bucket load of live music and more than 60 market stalls selling everything from food and drink, plus the infamous piglet racing (seriously hilarious and the cutest thing you’ll probably ever see), beautiful cheese markets and the Kids World for the littlies, gather the crew and come along!
When: 2nd July
Where: Teneriffe
Details: Click here
Finders Keepers Markets
In need (read: want) of some unique pieces to add to your homewares collection? Showcasing beautiful stalls from local and national artists, Finders Keepers is the perfect place to find one off pieces, and for a market experience like no other. They’ve also got your hunger covered with some of Brisbane’s best food trucks and cafes all making an appearance!
When: 2-3 July, 9am-4pm
Where: The Old Museum Building, Bowen Hills
Entry: $2
Brisbane BBQ Festival
All you meat lovers that like is low and slow, listen up; Brisbane BBQ Festival is back! Sample some of the best meat in the country, with market stalls, cooking demos, plus watch 40+ teams compete for the 2016 ‘BBQ Champ’ title.
When: 2nd July, from
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds
Tickets: Click here
Winter Harvest Festival
A must do for any foodie fan with a penchant for locally sourced produce, hop-foot it to the Scenic Rim for the annual Winter Harvest Festival. Showcasing the abundance of local talent and produce of the Scenic Rim, fill up the tank and your belly in one of Queensland’s most beautiful region.
When: 2nd July, from 10am
Where: Aratula Community Sports Centre
Tickets: $10. For full details and to book tickets, click here
Sunday 3 July
Sunday By The River
Kick it back to neutral this Sunday, and chill out to the sounds of soulful Jazz at Sunday By The River. Spend the afternoon riverside at Newstead House atop a picnic blanket listening to the talents of the Jazz Music Institute, while pigging out on some of Brissy’s best food trucks including Little Back, In Strada, Greek Street Cantina and The Frying Piggy.
When: 3rd July, from 12pm
Where: Newstead House
Entry: Free
Don’t Miss Out
Baron Samedi Spiced Launches
Love a spicy cocktail or two at this time of year? Yeah, us too! It doesn’t get better than Baron Samedi Spiced, a name that pays homage to Baron Samedi, the ruler of the dark and guardian of the afterlife. It’s made with smooth Caribbean rum and spices such as vanilla, cocoa and cinnamon. If this sounds like something that’s right up your alley, you’re in luck. Head to The Shafston Hotel to experience it for yourself. We recommend you order the Baron Samedi Spiced Signature Drink, it’s served with ginger beer, bitters and fresh lime and is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Le Festival
Say bonjour to Brisbane’s iconic French markets; Le Festival is back at Southbank for another year. Fill up on all the French cheese, wine, pastries, sweet treats, and savouries you can handle, peruse the French stalls, take in live sets from French acts, attend a champagne masterclass, and soak up that ‘je ne sais quoi’ of the French way of life.
When: 8th-10th July
Where: South Bank Cultural Forecourt
Tickets: For full details and tickets, click here
Image credit: Ariana Gillrie
In need of pastry before getting out and about this weekend? Check out our hit list of Brisbane's best croissants here!
