The best clubs in Brisbane get the dance floor rocking into the early hours. Whether you're into electronic music, jazz, or a combination of both, this city has something to suit your tastes.
For a night of topless barmaids and nude lap dances, check out Players in the center of town. The club is one of the longest established premier adult clubs in Brisbane.
- Cloudland
As soon as the sun goes down, Brisbane explodes with raging nightclubs that keep partygoers dancing into the early hours. Known as the Valley, this area of the city hosts some of Australia’s biggest clubs. If you’re looking for topless barmaids and nude lap dances, head to Players, the longest established club in the city. Alternatively, check out Prohibition, which blasts electronic music in its main room and pop and RnB in its garden, or Summa House, where you can enjoy the beachy vibes and popular DJs that make it one of the best clubs in brisbane.
In the city center, upscale bars offer rich atmospheres and unique drinks. On Eagle Lane, Brooklyn Standard offers a basement-level speakeasy vibe with quirky cocktails and live music seven days a week, while Fat Angel is the city’s first American sports bar with an extensive selection of draft beers. On Gresham Lane, New York-style street food is served at Red Hook and The Gresham, a whiskey and bourbon saloon with old-world charm.
If you want to meet other people who are into the same things as you, there are several cult clubs that cater specifically to darklings. Check out Netherworld, which has pinball machines and classic consoles, or EI8HT, a multilevel venue with a 380-capacity live band room that transforms into a 600-capacity dance club from midnight to late.
- Birdees
Located in the heart of Brisbane, Birdees is one of the most popular clubs in Brisbane with its cheap entry fee and a diverse crowd. Whether you’re looking for a club to dance or just have a drink with friends, this is the place to go. With a huge dancefloor and multiple cosy lounges, you can relax and enjoy the music. The bar is well stocked with a variety of drinks and cocktails and the staff is always friendly.
Alternatively, you can head over to Fortitude Valley where many of the city’s top clubs are clustered. The three-level Met is one of the biggest nightclubs in the city and it invites a host of DJs from around the world to spin across its dance floors. They cover a range of electronic genres including drum ‘n’ bass, techno, and psytrance.
In the same area, Brooklyn Standard is a basement-level bar that serves quirky cocktails and hosts live music six nights a week, while Fat Angel is a trendy sports bar that welcomes both local and international brews. Further south, Gresham Lane is home to New York-style street food bars and the iconic Whisky Bourbon Saloon.
For a more laid-back vibe, The Wickham is known for its inclusive vibes and sunlit beer garden. You can also check out the more intimate bars in the city center, such as The Gresham or The Flamin’ Galah, where you can hear a mix of music styles from funk to blues.
- Scarlet
If you love the dark side of clubbing, then Scarlet is your place. It is one of the largest lesbian clubs in Queensland and is famous for hosting big entertainment during Pride month. The entire venue is women only, and they offer dance floors, chillout rooms, a live venue and cocktail bar. They play a mix of hard-style, trap and rap music, with huge artists like Tiesto, Carl Cox and Above Beyond having played there!
If you’re more into a classic night out, check out Prohibition. They play a mix of hip-hop, RnB and pop in their main hall, while in the garden they play more chilled jukebox tunes and cocktails. They also have guest DJs and treats on Thursdays and Sundays.
Another club you can visit in Brisbane is called Mi Casa, which has dancefloors and VIP booths to suit all kinds of crowds. They’re open every day from 9 pm and have a mix of local and international talent playing. The DJs spin a range of genres, so you can choose whatever sounds best to your taste. If you’re not dancing, you can grab a drink at the lounge bar and enjoy their selection of premium cocktails. They also have a rooftop and beer garden for those who want to chill.
- Sky Bar
If you like the idea of sipping cocktails at a lofty elevation, you can't go wrong with Brisbane's rooftop bars. There are plenty of sun-soaked vantage points to choose from, and some of them are more than just bars, with lounges and even swimming pools on offer.
One of the city's best rooftop bars for cocktails is Dirty Sultan, a lavish Mediterranean-inspired spot that takes the best bits from Europe's bar and club scene. It's housed on top of TRYP Fortitude Valley and serves up a killer cocktail list, Turkish-inspired nibbles and DJ tunes that run the gamut from Euro house to French hip-hop.
Another of our favourites is Eagle's Nest, perched way up on the twelfth floor of The Point Hotel. The swanky spot is the perfect place to soak up some weekend vibes and watch a Brisbane sunset. It also boasts a killer drinks menu including the much-loved frose, a fruity concoction of rose, strawberry and citrus juices.
Meanwhile, the pool bar at Soleil is a show-stopping addition to Rydges South Bank. The swanky spot wraps around a gorgeous pool and looks more like an art installation than a rooftop bar, with mirrored pillars and chrome accents. It's a great choice for afternoon drinks with a view, or even a pre-dinner drink before a show.
