Exquisite Brisbane wine bars worthy of your thirst

This mainstay of Fortitude Valley’s James Street precinct still draws a crowd every day of the week. Toddle up to the bar and take a seat near the show-stopping chandelier or grab a table outside and do a spot of people watching in the cool breeze. Day or night, Cru Bar has a buzz about it.

If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion with a back vintage, this is the place to do it. The wine list is extensive and features bottles from all over the world, with an onus on Australia, France and Italy. It’s broken down by varietal and country, with over 40 coveted wines available by the glass.

Designed by award-winning chef Richard Ousby, the share-style food menu is available all day. Don’t leave without trying the tuna tartlet or spiced lamb skewers. If you’ve got any room left for mains, take your pick out of char-grilled spatchcock, steak frites, or the seafood spaghetti. 

Where: 22 James St, Fortitude Valley

Mr Chester's Wine Bar & Bistro, Fortitude Valley

Mr Chester celebrates producers from all over Australia, New Zealand and  champions winemakers who are marching to the beat of their own drum.

Tucked beneath the streets of Fortitude Valley, the bar boasts warm and unpretentious hospitality with a bistro-style menu taking cues from across the globe. Sit back, sip something delicious and enjoy the ambience.

Where: 2/850 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane

Everything about this bar oozes sophistication. Even the name – translation: ‘The Moon’ – has a romanticism about it. The wine bar has been an anchor of Fish Lane for years and popular with those with a love for the finer things in life. Like good wine.

Bottles line the wooden shelves behind the marble bar, while those available by Coravin are written in cursive black pen along white tiles. Sheer floor-to-ceiling curtains gently separate the outside world, making it feel like you’ve walked into a bar in downtown Paris.

While it’s perfectly acceptable to drop into La Lune for a quick tipple, we suggest making it a longer affair; think Sunday lunch or a date night. Their six-course tasting menu rotates monthly to introduce diners to their best bites, best served with matched wines. 

Where: Shop 3/109 Melbourne St, South Brisbane

Bar Miette, Brisbane City

Andrew McConnell caused quite a stir when Supernormal arrived on the scene in July, but the quiet arrival of sibling venue, Bar Miette, has delivered its own joy to Brisbane foodies. The European-inspired terrace café and wine bar is just upstairs from the long-awaited restaurant, and boasts its own menu, all-day dining philosophy, and views of the river and Story Bridge that will encourage visitors to linger over a glass or two of wine – and a milk bun stacked high with mortadella.

Where: 443 Queen St, Brisbane City

Adelita, Wynnum

Oh, Adelita! This chic wine bar is raised above a sweet corner in Wynnum and has fast become a meeting place for wine lovers since opening in 2022.

Boasting emerald hues and handsome black accents, Adelita makes it easy for you settle in and get comfortable. Sink into a lounge with a wine-list at hand or perch yourself at the marble bar, there’s a solid wine list to taste from international classics to experimental local drops.

The food menu is as decadent as the venue is beautiful. Showcasing a contemporary twist on modern Australian cuisine, expect a seasonal menu with tasty bites like potato rosti served with taramasalata and spanner crab, the gnocchi with swiss mushrooms and thyme  – or for something sweet – the brownie with salted caramel soft serve and crumbed macadamia. Bon appetite!

Where: 32 Glenora St, Wynnum

Noir, Paddington

Paddington is a haven for lovers of Queensland's iconic architecture – and its bustling streets are lined with restored homes and workers cottages now converted into boutiques, cafes and bars.

Noir is one of them. The three-storey heritage den has become a mainstay for local wine lovers since opening in 2021. An inviting, airy space by day and sleek haunt by night – with a private dining area down in the 450-bottle cellar.

You’re sure to come across new and exciting wines at Noir, and there’s a selective, locally-sourced grazing menu for those feeling snacky. 

Where: 216 Given Terrace, Paddington

Niky, Newstead

Yet another neighbourhood gem, Niky is a Brisbane wine bar with a lot of heart. The former garage on Doggett Street bears little resemblance to its origins, thanks to a chic, pink-hued interior. But on a sunny day, you’ll find the patrons sipping wine alfresco – probably pet nats and skin-contact drops – along with bites from an ever-changing menu of exquisite snacks and small plates. Don’t miss the great deals, like $4 oysters on Wednesdays.

Where: 64 Doggett St, Newstead

Milquetoast, Brisbane City

Don’t let the name fool you: Milquetoast is anything but bland.

Hidden in a converted garage down a Brisbane City laneway, this spot is worth the search – an exquisite imagining from George Curtis of acclaimed Brisbane cocktail bar Before + After, and local sommelier James Horsfall. The kitchen stays up late, serving an ever-changing smorgasbord of British-inspired dishes that pair perfectly with the wines, which focus on low-intervention, independent Aussie and international makers.

Where: 199 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City

Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane

Maeve Wine Bar was born for the love of wine, food and warm hospitality. A passion project of Eleanor Cappa, Maris Cook and Jesse Stevens - Maeve boasts a striking elegance with its continental inspired menu and an approachable European and Australian wine list that makes trying something new fun, not intimidating.

Make your way up the scarlet staircase and find yourself in what was once the very first Queensland National Bank, which in 1929 only cost £339 to build. With a lick of paint and a lot of love (and a whole lot more than £339 later), Maeve is a jewel of the Fish Lane precinct.

Don’t leave without trying the fried zucchini blossom, chicken parfait eclair, smoked potato ravioli, or the porchetta: Maeve is much more than a wine bar. 

Where: Upstairs, Level 1/39 Melbourne St, South Brisbane

South City Wine, Woolloongabba

Inspired by classic European neighbourhood bars, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported to the streets of Paris at South City Wine.

With its old-world charm and dimly lit setting, South City Wine in Woolloongabba offers a lucrative selection of natural wines hailing from local and international vineyards. Paired with an extensive list of fine champagne and French cocktails, we’d suggest putting this at the top of your list for date-night.

If you’re feeling peckish after a tempranillo or grenache, the ever-changing food menu offers a curated selection of quintessential European classics like pots of steaming mussels, escargot, and duck l'orange. Or, devour a beef burger. 

Where: Shop 5/148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba

Proud Henry Wine Bar and Ginoteca

Set in a stunning heritage building with over 100 years of history, Proud Henry Wine Bar and Ginoteca packs a punch with its impressive drinks list.

This wine oasis in Fortitude Valley stocks hard-to-find and unusual wines from all corners of the globe, and offers the largest collection of gin in the valley under one roof (280 gins, in fact). You’re sure to find a new favourite sip after a couple of hours here.

Come for the wine and stay for the jazz music which is sure to have you toe-tapping all night long. 

Where: 153 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley. 

Dark Red, Fortitude Valley

A Brisbane wine bar you could easily walked by without discovering, Dark Red in Fortitude Valley's Bakery Lane houses all kinds of flavours, from familiar Italian wines to those that are hard to find. Previously belonging to an Italian wine store + bar, hospitality veteran Hannah Wagner took over the reigns, re-opening as a moody wine bar laden with 60 different labels ranging from great value drops to high end sips.

A truly magical moment of Dark Red is being able to strike up a conversation with the table next to you. Seeing as the venue only hosts a couple of tables indoor and out, Hannah has cultivated a communal setting where it’s encouraged to pair a vino with some charming table conversation.

Where: 694 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

Bar Francine, West End

Tucked away from West End’s main drag, a 100-year-old house on Vulture Street is home to one of the best Brisbane wine bars – and it’s a truly local affair. A visit to Bar Francine feels like a visit to your (very creative) friend’s place, and the warm service, art-clad walls and fun playlist only adds to the vibe.

The wine list favours small Aussie producers, and the food menu is no afterthought, with small bites and dishes made to share from grilled octopus to bowls full of pipis in rich broth, and the ultimate comfort food – mushroom risotto.

A place for everyone, there’s a concise range of cocktails – including a ‘three sip’ negroni and martini – along with alcohol free beverages.

Where: 29 Vulture Street, West End, Brisbane

Wineology, Brisbane City

A Brisbane wine bar that sets itself apart from the pack – Wineology is for the aficionados and newbies among us. A great place to sip, learn, and savour wine, this bar is home to 96 varietals – and you can taste all of them by the glass thanks to their state-of-the-art wine dispensers. Simply collect a wine swipe card from the staff, and wander through the library of options – selecting between 30ml, half or full serve.

It’s a great way to try something different to your usual drop, and discover new favourites – while feasting your way through the tapas menu.

Where: 471 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City

Arcade Wine, Redcliffe

Superior service and premium wine selection was at the top of the list when owner-operator Danilo opened the doors to his beloved bar in Ashgrove, Arcade Wine. And now Moreton Bay residents will have the chance to experience its magic, with Arcade Wine bar on the move and soon to re-open in Redcliffe.

The intimate wine bar is taking over a space in heritage Comino’s Arcade, also operating as a wine shop for those who want to pop in for a glass then grab a treat to takeaway.

Where: Comino’s Arcade, Redcliffe

Seeking a wine excursion outside the city? There are vineyards to explore throughout Mount Tamborine and the Scenic Rim. To up the ante, you could glamping on a winery at Sirromet, or chopper to lunch among the vines. 

Beer more your scene? Head here for Brisbane’s ultimate craft beer crawl.