Bars & Pubs

12 Of Brisbane’s Best Nightclubs For When You Want To Hit The Dancefloor

By Annabelle Allpass
23rd Oct 2023

The solution to almost every problem is to dance it out. Work sucks? Dance it out. Just got dumped? Dance it out. Broken leg? Ok maybe don't dance it out. No matter what the world throws at you, the city of Brisbane will be there with open arms, a tequila shot in hand, and a cool new place to check out. Speaking of places to go, we just so happen to know a thing or two about what makes a banging club. Without further ado, we give you Brisbane's best nightclubs where you can get your boogie on. 

Wonderland 

Fortitude Valley

Newly landed in the Valley is Wonderland Brisbane, a huge new superclub from the team behind Ling Ling, Newstead Social and BLVD Nightclub on the Gold Coast. Taking over the old site of Woolly Mammoth and Ivory Tusk, Wonderland has two main stage rooms and three entertainment areas over two levels—meaning you’re sure to get utterly lost after a few vodka sodas. Here the dancefloors feature wall-t0-wall stage LED screens and multi-dimensional intelligent light, and there’s also multiple bottle service areas plus a deck bar for refreshing cocktails when you need a break from boogieing. With superstar DJs on the weekends, hip hop nights on Thursdays and even live bands hitting the schedule on occasion, you’ll be back multiple nights of the week.

Summa House 

Fortitude Valley

A vibe and a half during the day and the place to be at night, Summa House is sort of a club-of-all-trades. Pull up in the daytime (afternoon sesh anyone?) to mellow out the week through a sun-kissed garden party, with plenty of seating and cocktails that are straight-up heavenly. Once the sun goes down, the ‘grammable factor goes up by about tenfold, the festoon lights come on, the tunes turn up and the famous flamingo gets ready to watch a night of fun unfold. The dfloor is 10/10 and the whole outdoor situation serves up endless summer party rather than sweaty club vibes and we absolutely froth it. 

Ric’s Bar

Fortitude Valley

One of Brisbane’s longest-running live music venues, Ric’s is a Saturday night must visit. Starting the night with live music from local artists and bands, visitors can enjoy the chilled atmosphere—and menu of classic street food—before things pick up later in the night once the DJs hit the decks. With its ground level decked out like a “backyard”—yes, there’s actually a clothesline in the middle of the venue—you can enjoy dancing as if you were at a live concert or make your way upstairs for a more traditional club-like feel—both are just as good in our opinion.

The Met 

Fortitude Valley

Now The Met might be early on in our list, but they're really more of an end of night destination. Brissie’s biggest nightclub, with five bars and four dance floors located across three levels, hosts the biggest names in EDM like Skrillex, Steve Aoki, Fisher and Hayden James and is not unfamiliar with hosting massive afterparties for festivals like Listen Out, Touch Bass and Hidden. Long story short they know what they're doing and you're sure to have a great night in their hands.  

Prohibition 

Fortitude Valley

Prohibition, Proey, Pro-ho—whatever you call it, it’s practically a right of passage to attend this Brisbane club. Nestled perfectly on Wickham Street and coupled with their trademark unmissable lit-up sign, it's hard to miss this iconic Brisbane venue. After (carefully) heading down the stairs, the iconic dancefloor greets you with booming music, often a live saxophone, and Proey’s signature light-up ceiling. Head out the back to find yourself in the outdoor beer garden that, if you trail up the stairs, leads to outdoor booths and a rooftop vibe. The infamous ladies night is every Thursday night where you'll score free treats for the ladies before 10 pm, free pizza AND free entry. Gather the squad and head on in to see why every man and his dog has a wild story or two that involves this legendary Brisbane nightclub. 

Retro’s 

Fortitude Valley

As the name suggests, Retro’s is all about that throwback vibe. You'll find Retro’s in the Brunswick Street Mall (conveniently close to all sorts of food joints across the road) and you'll probably hear it before you see it. Is that a Whitney Houston banger? No, it's the Sugababes. Oh my god no it's Mr Brightside! In you head, where you find patrons sipping away at fishbowl cocktails and breaking it down under a trio of disco balls. Is this heaven? Yes, it is, the DJ has just started playing old school JB. Thank us later, and probably wear your comfiest shoes—you'll be dancing all night. 

Brooklyn Standard 

Brisbane CBD

Ok, we must admit, a person can only do so much unce unce music. When you’ve reached your limit, head to award-winning bar Brooklyn Standard to rock out to live music.  Brooklyn Standard has been awarded the Best Live Music Venue in Australia in 2015, 2019 and 2021 at the Australian Bar Awards. The bar is the playground of up-and-coming Brisbane music talent from all genres like funk, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, mariachi, rockabilly, RnB and everything in between—and the dancefloor absolutely goes off to it all. Head down the dim-lit brick cellar accessed by a secret laneway door located on Eagle Lane and remember, if the music is too loud, you’re too old. 

The Beat 

Fortitude Valley

The Beat is the longest-running club in the history of Australia and trust us, you can tell when you head in, wandering through six clubs, seven bars and three beer gardens all with a different vibe. From classic bangers to rave-esque zones, The Beat truly has it all. Another iconic Brisbane venue that has ‘right-of-passage’ status, you gotta go there at LEAST once. A safe haven for LGTBQI+, anyone and everyone are welcome at this party. 

La La Land at The Prince Consort 

Fortitude Valley

A relatively new resident in the Valley, La La Land at The Prince Consort is an eclectic combination of luxe supper club and studio 54 disco. Do not be fooled by their sophisticated decor, this is still definitely a place to get silly, especially after you've had a few margaritas at Mexican bar 400 Rabbits downstairs. Sneaky Sound System frequent the ever-changing lineup on the main Dfloor and turn it every time. 

Marquee Bar 

Fortitude Valley

The Marquee Bar describes itself as the vibe of the exclusive lounge at your favourite music festival and by god, we agree so hard. Two floors, three bars and late-night eats make this destination an unmissable spot in your night out. The Brisbane club has endless entertainment, with Thursday night student night featuring veteran drag queens Vollie LaVont and Luna Thicc, as well as Mimosa Saturdays featuring a banging food and drink package, and ladies night Fridays. They are also extremely well versed in functions so you know you're sorted if you have a birthday coming up. 

The Brightside 

Fortitude Valley

You've probably heard of The Brightside by seeing 48,892,093,874 of your friends selecting ‘interested’ in their On Repeat nights on Facebook. From the 1975 to Taylor Swift to Flume vs RÜFUS, they play your fave artist all night and by god is it fun. Aside from this, of course, the venue is home to absolutely any and all cool live music performances and festivals from shockingly cool local artists and bands. Their outdoor stage setup is somehow reminiscent of both Splendour and the coolest warehouse party ever—seriously it's such a vibe, there's no way you can NOT feel young and free boogieing out there. It's essential to grab tickets to any of their cool events ahead of time and do so quickly, as they get snapped up at the speed of light. 

Hey Chica! 

Fortitude Valley

Yet another Valley newcomer, Hey Chica! Is a breath of fresh (and fun) air. Walking through the front doors, you can't help but feel welcomed to the zestiest neighbourhood street party in the whole city. To your right, you spot patrons sipping away at multiple cocktails ( think the watermelon basil sour, or strawberry frozé) and a spread of Mexi-inspired eats, to your left some are already up dancing the night away on the dancefloor that opens up late into the night. The perfect spot, where dinner easily turns into a full-blown night out. 

Prefer to find a cosy booth and sip sophisticated cocktails all night? Check out Brisbane’s best cocktail bars instead. 

Image credit: Dino Renda 

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