Beat The Midweek Slump: The Best Things To Do In Brisbane After Your 9-5

Why wait for the weekend to live your best life? If you feel like you’ve fallen into the 9am-5pm trap, i.e. the work-sleep-repeat cycle, then it might be time to reassess your schedule. Because when you grind it out, bed rot and doom-scroll your way from Monday to Friday, no wonder your days start to blur together. 

Here’s your reminder: you’re allowed to have a life during the week. 

What you do doesn’t need to be big or expensive. It just needs to be intentional, whether it’s rounding up your mates for a midweek trivia sesh or catching a movie with your SO. When you break routine and do something new, your brain lights up—boosting creativity, motivation and dopamine to save you from the midweek slump.  

Luckily, Brisbane delivers when it comes to post-work plans. From life drawing classes and book clubs to comedy nights and cosy wine bars, there’s no shortage of ways to shake off the workday. Spice up your week nights with our round-up of Brisbane’s best things to do after your 9am-5pm. 

Mr Vain’s ‘Vanity Film Fest’

610 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | Mondays from 7pm 

Romanticise the in-between days with dinner and a nostalgic movie. At Mr Vain, a contemporary Pan-Asian restaurant in the Valley, Monday movie nights are your solution to the Sunday scaries. Enjoy a la carte and banquet menus with a cult classic film from the 90s to 2000s, such as The Talented Mr. Ripley and Pulp Fiction. If you fancy a tipple with your entertainment, Mr Vain boasts a craft cocktail menu and wine list stacked with family-owned, local producers. Mondays just became your new favourite night of the week.  

Beer Yoga At Felons Brewing Co.

5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City | Wednesdays from 5pm to 5:45pm

If you’re clocking off in the city, why not stroll over to Felons Brewing Co. for a midweek reset with beer yoga? Held riverside on the Felons Lawn, these 45-minute classes blend gentle Vinyasa Slow Flow with a cold, brewery-fresh beer in hand. Run by Nina Lee of The Sukhino, the sessions are beginner-friendly and free to attend, but it’s recommended to grab your pint from the bar beforehand. And since you’re already there, prolong the good times with a post-yoga feed and (more) beer.

Studio Maverik Life Drawing

63 Vulture Street, West End | Thursdays from 6:30pm

Image credit: Studio Maverik | Instagram

Drawing, vino and chats with new friends—name a better combo. Each week, Studio Maverik takes over Flying Colours’ upstairs space for casual life drawing classes. Expect a professional model guiding a range of poses, plenty of yapping and absolutely zero pressure to be the next Picasso. Downstairs, Flying Colours slings drinks, pizzas and snacks to keep you fuelled while you sketch. Studio Maverick’s weekly classes are all about socialising, putting pencil to paper and trying something new. 

Mahjong Social Games

1692 Logan Road, Upper Mount Gravatt | Tuesdays from 6pm

If your only reference point for mahjong is that iconic scene in Crazy Rich Asians, consider this your sign to level up. Brisbane Mahjong Social is bringing the tiles to Garden City Library every Tuesday for a game night that’s equal parts strategy and socialising.

Total beginner? You’re covered. Free, step-by-step tutorials will have you confidently calling plays by the end of the night. Seasoned player? Bring your A-game and dive into Hong Kong, Japanese (Riichi) or Taiwanese styles with fellow enthusiasts. It’s free to play for casual gamers, super welcoming and the perfect excuse to swap your usual week night scroll for something a little more satisfying.

Midweek Trivia

Multiple locations and times 

Image credit: Remy's | Instagram

Round up the group chat and pick a wildly overconfident team name for your new obsession: midweek trivia. Southsiders can hit Beyond the Pale on Mondays, where Quiz Meisters put your knowledge to the test. In Paddington, Remy's Trivia Tuesday pairs brainpower with $6 smash burgers. Add bar vouchers and bragging rights, and suddenly your week nights are sorted. Check out our edit of Brisbane’s best trivia nights here.   

Indoor Rock Climbing

Multiple locations  

From Urban Climb to 9 Degrees, Brisbane has a heap of indoor climbing gyms ready to get your muscles flexing after work. Join a climbing class, tackle a solo boulder (short, harness-free routes), or buddy up with a mate for beginner-friendly top rope climbing. 

The best part? Climbing gyms are surprisingly social. You can chat between climbs, enjoy a drink on the gym floor or gawp at the regulars flashing a route. With a range of grades from total beginner to pro, indoor rock climbing is the perfect way to break up the week.    

Cellar Sessions At Brisbane Comedy Cellar  

400 Montague Road, West End | Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7pm

Image credit: Brisbane Comedy Cellar | Instagram

Did you know Brisbane has a hidden comedy cellar? Tucked beneath The Raven Hotel, the Brisbane Comedy Cellar is a 60-seat New York-style basement inspired by late-night piano bars. You can catch rising stars and surprise drop-ins on the stage, and enjoy craft cocktails and share plates (think charcuterie and pork belly bites) at your table. Leave the working day upstairs and unwind with a midweek laugh. 

Run Club

Multiple times and locations 

Run clubs have undoubtedly kicked off in popularity over the past few years. They’re the perfect way to get your workout in while meeting new people and feeling part of a community. And there are plenty of Brisbane run clubs pounding the pavement after your 9am-5pm. 

Soso’s Run Club snakes their way along the Newstead riverwalk for a 5km jog every Wednesday night, while Club KT meets at Gasworks Plaza for their weekly Monday night run, ending at Fishbowl for discounted bowls. Workout, socialise and get your dinner fix, all in one. 

Bottom’s Up Bingo 

608 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley | Wednesdays from 7pm

Image credit: The Beaumont | Instagram

Whoever said bingo was boring hasn’t played a round at the Beaumont Beer Garden. Every Wednesday evening, the rooftop bar throws a rowdy game of bingo with throwback hits and a creative Margarita list you’ll want to get to the bottom of. Plus, there’s $800 worth of prizes to win (from cash to skydiving experiences) and it’s just $5 to play all three rounds.⁠ Grab a drink, grab a card and get ready to bingo.  

Book Club

Multiple times and locations

If your ideal night out involves a good plot twist and a glass of red, this one’s for you. BNE Chapters is a Brisbane book club for the girls who love to read, make new friends and enjoy a cheeky wine on a weeknight. 

Each month brings a new book, a new venue and a fresh mix of faces. You’ll be greeted with branded tote bags and bookmarks (cute), and find discussion cards on the table to kick-start conversation—especially handy if you’re flying solo. They also host one-off events like private movie screenings, so keep an eye on their IG for the next excuse to spice up your midweek.

Gin And Jazz Nights

Level 4/33 William Street, Brisbane City | Thursdays from 6:30pm 

Imagine if you could teleport to Europe every Thursday and still make it to your Friday shift. That’s how it feels to swing by Pompette Champagne Bar's weekly gin and jazz nights. Sip signature gin cocktails while a live four-piece band sets the mood with smooth classics overlooking the Brisbane river. There’s a banquet menu if you’re making a night of it, but honestly, one spritz under those low lights is enough to liven up your week.

Main image credit: Mr Vain | Instagram