Live music is back baby, and here in Brisbane/Meanjin it's not just alive and well but thriving too, with plenty of bars and venues where you can see an up-and-coming local band before they make it big, or rock out to some of the biggest names in indie, rock, pop or whatevery your favourite genre may be.
From the institutions that we know and love to small neighbourhood venues, these are the best live music venues right now in Brisbane. Show up, dance with your hands and say cheers to them for keeping the lights on.
The Tivoli
53 Costin Street, Fortitude Valley
The Tivoli has long been considered one of the best live music venues in Brisbane, playing host to both the biggest and up-and-coming acts. Known for its intimate atmosphere and grand, almost regal, decor, if your favourite band is playing in Brisbane, there's a good chance they'll be playing at The Tivoli—they even hosted Taylor Swift for her very first Australian show way back in 2009 before she became the mega star she is today. Scope out what's on the calendar here.
Black Bear Lodge
322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Situated in the heart of Brisbane’s live music hub Fortitude Valley, Black Bear Lodge is known for getting first dibs on live EP sets and intimate touring gigs. Black Bear's trivia nights, old-school dance parties, and '90s-flavour DJ sets have contributed to making this live music venue a firm favourite with musos and music appreciators alike. If you're frothing for some of Queensland’s best emerging acts, head along to Sunday Service on a Sunday—entry is free.
Brooklyn Standard
Eagle Lane, Brisbane CBD
Image credit: Brooklyn Standard | Facebook
Channelling the New York underground is ultimate cool kid, Brooklyn Standard. This is the kind of atmospheric bar we would gladly spend many an evening regardless, but the fact there are acts performing seven nights a week makes it a must do. The stylish locale features the sounds of jazz, soul, funk and blues, and has an extensive drinks list to match.
The Brightside
27 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley
Housed in a former church in the heart of The Valley, The Brightside is an iconic venue on Brisbane’s live music scene. Known for its eclectic gig nights big and small, be it local up and comers or big-ticket tours, they've got a banging beer garden that hosts regular dog-friendly parties. With karaoke, music trivia and sing-a-long nights on the usual line up, The Brightside knows how to start and end a great night of music.
Fortitude Music Hall
312 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Boasting an impressive 3000 patron capacity, Fortitude Music Hall is the goldilocks venue for acts too big for your average bar, but not large enough to fill up the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The hall draws inspiration from some of the world’s most loved live music venues, whilst incorporating a ballroom theme for a bit of added class (something the Valley was previously lacking). With an epic lineup of acts planned, it’s worth jumping online to see if you can snag yourself a spot at some of the upcoming events.
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Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar
678 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Image credit: Suzie Wong's | Facebook
Who is Suzie Wong? You don't need to know—all that matters is that she is here for a good time. Along with a knock out pina colada, Hawaiian dive bar Suzie Wong’s puts on a variety of events and shindigs every week, with live music four nights a week and hospitality nights every Sunday. Put your eyes on their Facebook page to keep up to date with what’s on, or just dive into the surfy dive bar for craft beers, wines and cocktails.
The Sound Garden
312-318 Brunswick Street, Fortitdue Valley
Sitting in prime position on Brunswick Street Mall next to Fortitude Music Hall, The Sound Garden is Fortitude Valley's epic new bar and restaurant that will take your next Valley night out to the next level—literally. Taking over two massive floors with space for 700 punters, the ground floor is where you'll find the live music stage, with local artists playing chilled tunes on weekends.
The Zoo
711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
The undisputed home of live music in Brissy since 1992, The Zoo offers chill, storied digs that often cater to the more indie end of the musical spectrum. Featuring performances from both local and international artists, expect to see new and familiar faces as you get your rock on down on Ann Street. The Zoo’s calendar is always full, so head to their site to see what’s in store for the new year.
The Triffid
7 Stratton Street, Newstead
Image credit: The Triffid | Website
An old commercial hangar, The Triffid is a Brisbane icon for live music. The baby of Powderfinger bassist John Collins (a man who knows a thing or two about the live music), the venue has been home to the international elite alongside local and national up and comers for years and is wildly known for its fostering of emerging bands. The massive 800-capacity space is known to sell out for a good band, but you can always hit the beer garden for chilled tunes on any given night.
Greaser
259A Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Tucked away down the grungy back alleys of Fortitude Valley, Greaser embraces its gritty roots to forge the ultimate backdrop for emerging indie bands to make their debut on the live music scene. The venue’s graffiti-covered, exposed brick walls are covered in rock n’ roll memorabilia worthy of a spot in Cleveland’s Rock Hall, setting the stage for a whole lot of rhythm and booze. Check out their site for a list of upcoming gigs and events, and prepare for one hell of a head-banging night ahead.
The Bearded Lady
138 Boundary Street, West End
The Bearded Lady is easily one of the coolest bars on West End's main drag—the fact that they have live music is just a bonus. With walls covered in graffiti, beer flowing freely from pipes, super creative cocktails, and tunes from some of the best local acts, The Bearded Lady is definitely a favourite. Bonus—they're BYO food.
Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall
15 Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace
Image credit: Lefty's Music Hall | Website
Lefty's Old Time Music Hall is Brisbane's answer to the honky tonks of the USA's of old. Home to knee-slapping country music and dive bar-style American eats, this a classic local bar that champions a wealth of live music every Thursday to Saturday. Be sure to take a break from the tunes and scope out the secret Mermaid Bar while you're there—ordering a whisky apple is a must.
It’s Still A Secret
48 Montague Road, South Brisbane
It’s Still a Secret comes to us from the brains behind Can You Keep A Secret, a cutesy wine bar down in the Gabba. Since opening, It’s Still A Secret has already solidified itself as a local fave, serving up wine and cheese out the back in between incredible live acts in their dedicated band room. Operating out of a 130-year-old heritage building on Montague Road, it’s worth swinging back to check out the new venue and get to work sampling their epic drinks list. We recommend starting with an ale from Aether Brewing (available on tap, just FYI) before moving onto the stiffer stuff mid-act.
The Outpost
320 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Tucked away within The Fortitude Music Hall, The Outpost is a 300 capacity venue dedicated to showcasing the latest and greatest local performers as they rock the mic until the wee hours of the morning. Featuring classic interiors reminiscent of late 70s post punk, it’s the perfect venue for letting loose to the sound of some of the most iconic artists the city has to offer. We recommend working your way through their curated cocktail list and delectable canapes before getting your jiggy on down on the dancefloor.
The Princess Theatre
8 Annerley Road, Woolloongabba
The Princess Theatre is the prettiest live music venue in all of Brisbane. Don’t act shocked, we are fully serious. It’s hard not to get lost in your fave band’s live bangers as it is, but throw in the beautiful and super-high moulded ceilings, exposed brick walls and somehow never-too-packed bathrooms and you’ve got an experience that's hard to beat. The whole venue is truly transformative, and the bar is also lightning-fast.
If you're just looking for somewhere to drink, head here:
Image credit: The Tivoli | Facebook
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