What's happening in Brisbane
Best things to do in Brisbane
The BEC draws massive crowds for Queensland's biggest Australian and international rock, pop, comedy and stadium acts. We're talking Madonna, Black Sabbath, UFC and even the occasional ice hockey match.
Hardcore music lovers’ prayers are answered at this revamped Valley icon that's a promising new venue for Brisbane's alternative music scene.
Where to eat in Brisbane
Grab a mouthful of Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine from the sultan of James Street dining
Hatted, starred and accoladed to the hilt, Tartufo remains Brisbane's high church of Italian cuisine
This riverfront Italian restaurant is where food, wine and service shine bright
Visit the boldest, coolest kid on the Alfred and Constance block – a cheeky tribute to tasty Asian street food
West End’s destination café has some of the best breakfasts in town in its arsenal
Everything is baked on the premises at this riverside espresso bar – and it's pretty freakin' amazing
Gather your knights for any shaped table at New Farm's lofty café, where breakfast is given the royal treatment and even coffee and cake is fit for a king
Where to drink in Brisbane
The cool crowd at Gerard's Bar are enjoying a trip to Spain, stopping over at Hong Kong, without leaving home
This Ipswich micro-brewery is winning hearts with beer lovers, foodies and historians alike
A former subterranean pool parlour in Fortitude Valley is puttin’ on the Ritz in a cavernous underground bar setting reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy
Get yourself to the oldest pub around, check out the history and check into an afternoon of good pub grub, live music and the good old Aussie ways
A basement dive bar brings street cred to the sleazy end of Brunswick Street, with Picklebacks, Daiquiris and superior American eats
Round up a team for booze, soft-serve and flavour-bomb fusion eats at West End’s cool-kid hangout, where spectating is the name of the game
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Calling all soul sisters: why have a normal brunch when you can have brunch with soul? Brunch is becoming de rigueur in Brisbane, but brunch with Spritzes (named after famous soul singers, no less) and live music makes this a brunch with a beat. Every Saturday at 11am, the Waterloo (corner of Ann Street and Commercial Road in Newstead) offers Brunch with Soul for just $55. There are pastries and fresh fruit on arrival, and you can choose one brunch item and enjoy Spritz cocktails for two hours. The brunch items include French toast with Nutella, banana, cookie soil, ice cream and icing sugar dusting; pancakes with mixed berries, coulis, maple bacon, ice cream and whipped cream; shakshuka with meatballs, fried eggs, borlotti beans and crushed tomato sauce; a brekkie bagel with bacon, fried egg, smashed avo, fries and aioli; and smashed avo with rye bread, Persian feta, Morocan-roasted cauliflower and chickpeas. And let's talk about those Spritzes for a minute. All are named after famous soul singers. There's the James Brown Aperol Spritz (Aperol, prosecco and soda), the Aretha Franklin Peach Bellini (prosecco, peach puree, lemon juice, honey), the Stevie Wonder Sloe Spritz (sloe gin, prosecco, blueberries, mint and soda), and the Ray Charles Watermelon Spritz (gin, watermelon, lime, prosecco and soda). You can also ask for house wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. But food and drink alone do not a soul brunch make. You need one more crucial ingredient: soul music. Chang
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Not one for following the herd? Neither are we. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Little Creatures to show you a few ways to get out of your comfort zone and embrace being a little different. Whether it’s discovering a new rooftop bar, seeing a ground-breaking theatre piece or rocking out to a live band, you’ll learn it’s good to be a little different here.
Think sidelines are for softies? If you’re the type who likes to throw yourself headlong into the athletic action, boy does Queensland have the line-up for you. The Sunshine State puts on ocean swims through impossibly clear water off a tropical island; sends mountain bikers off on trails through the tropical north’s rainforests; and lets serious fitness buffs take a test of endurance in one of the country’s most famous beach cities. There are also adventure marathons, because, you know, a regular marathon just doesn’t feel challenging enough sometimes, as well as triathlons that feed into full-blown festivals. Given the A+ locations of all these events, there’s every reason to celebrate your achievements with a holiday (could there be a better excuse?) If in the north you can cruise from Cairns to Port Douglas along a magnificent coastal road then venture through rainforest and crater lakes on the Atherton Tableland. Or, if southbound, you can split from the coast and walk trails through the Springbrook and Lamington National Parks (‘cos you like to keep moving), or chill at a cute B&B in the mountains of Montville or Maleny (‘cos you’re absolutely buggered). So: ready to start training?