The Port Office Hotel

The verdict

One of the most iconic venues in Brisbane, and renowned for its prime CBD location (read: post-work drinks), The Port Office has survived floods, multiple renovations and over a century of history, having first opened its doors as The Shamrock Hotel back in 1864. Most recently, a massive kitchen fire almost gutted the grand old pub, but it's back, better than ever, ready for you to take a seat and be poured a glass of history. 

The Port Office Dining Room (nicknamed The Office) is open again for lunch and dinner, Monday to Saturday. Under the tutelage of Executive Chef Graham Waddell the menu is a modern take on Australian gastro-pub food with subtle European and Scottish influences.

Meanwhile, The Front Bar is once again humming as an old-school style timber long bar, making it the perfect place for whistles to be whet, tales to be told, twirls to be had and hands to be shook.  Upstairs, The Colonial Bar takes over the full floor, including wraparound verandahs, and is a quintessentially Queensland plantation-style, rattan, wicker and velvet cocktail bar, open for private bookings and functions only. And outside, the façade remains at its heritage best. So go and reintroduce yourself to the historic spot. 

Image credit: Supplied