The best things to do at night in Brisbane

Brisbane's dining scene continues to soar, so spend evenings tasting your way through the city's best restaurants, its newest hotspots and fine-diners. 

Being unable to decide on dinner is a problem as old as, well, dinner. To skip all the confusion, take the CityCat ferry from the CBD to Hamilton for a night of nibbling at Eat Street Northshore.

From American-style burgers to okonomiyaki and bao buns, every corner of the globe is covered, transporting your taste buds from salty snacks through to sugar-coma. Stroll through the elaborately decorated laneways (we’re talking everything from boats and giant marine creatures to fluoro lights and disco balls) to sample different cuisines from over 50 stalls, without leaving the banks of the Brisbane River.

2. Paddle and party

Switch up your usual daylight view of the Brisbane River with a twilight kayak tour of the city as it basks in the evening lights. 

Kicking off on Fridays at 5pm, paddle out with Riverlife and spend 90 minutes gliding along the river in an illuminated kayak, passing under the Story Bridge, along South Bank and the CBD before returning to shore to devour a Mexican feast, complete with a beer or frozen margarita.  

3. Head to Howard Smith Wharves

What do you do when you have a balmy tropical climate all year round? Drink outside, of course.

Howard Smith Wharves has been a mainstay on the nightlife scene for locals and visitors since it opened in 2018, now home to a precinct full of breweries, over-the-water bars and eateries. Always pumping and always a good time, check out this guide for everything you need to know.

4. Go to the game via Caxton Street

It’s hard to think of a street in Brisbane that comes more alive than Caxton Street on Game Day. Footy fan or not, a packed Caxton Street on State of Origin night is an experience every sport fan should have once. 

Home to hallowed sporting ground of Suncorp Stadium, Caxton Street has your game day activities sorted, with more pubs, bars, and restaurants than you’ll have hours to spare before kick-off. And once the full time whistle blows, you can head back here to try local craft beer from Caxton Street Brewing, cocktails at Velveteen Rabbit's hidden basement bar, or check out legendary live-music venue Lefty's.

5. Get your game on

Step back in time at Netherworld, a bar-slash-diner-slash-old-school-arcade perched on the cusp of Fortitude Valley. Enter the monster-themed underworld to find pinball, arcade classics and Nintendo consoles, with gaming relics dating back to the 70’s, and a high scoreboard with your name begging to be written all over it.

This Brisbane nightlife precinct offers plenty options for those with a competitive streak. Dress up as your favourite Mario Kart characters and race at arcade bar B. Lucky and Sons, have a dart and shuffleboard showdown at Oche, or pop over to King Street for Archie Brothers' Cirque Electriq for bowling, arcade games and karaoke.

6. Cancel your curfew at The West End Electric

Step into the spectacular world of The West End Electric - one of Brisbane's newest and most exciting venues. Currently showcasing dazzling cabaret Blanc de Blanc Encore, get ready for a cheeky combo of circus, comedy and French flair, best served with cocktails.

Pair this with dinner at one of West End's vibrant eateries for the ultimate date night.

7. Scale the Story Bridge

The once dingy or industrial alleyways of Brisbane have been transformed with enough hidden gems, crowd-pleasing restaurants and bustling bars to fill this guide.

Packing some of the best Italian food, live music, eclectic homewares and op-shops, seek and you shall find inside Brisbane’s twinkle-lit laneways after dark.

9. Tune in for live gigs

Brisbane’s renowned live music scene received a massive boost in 2019 with the opening of Fortitude Music Hall. The largest ballroom/theatre styled venue in Australia, Fortitude Music Hall has a 3,000 person standing capacity and was inspired by some of the world’s most loved live music venues – from classic art deco theatres to larger clubs, while still paying homage to the iconic venues of Brisbane’s past.

But it's just one of many places to catch local and touring talent. If you're a music lover, check out classic Brisbane live music venues like The Triffid, The Brightside, The Tivoli, The Zoo and Princess Theatre, along with smaller bars that host regular gigs, like Brooklyn Standard and The Bearded Lady. 

10. Sip and swish a paintbrush

Feeling artistic? Get your creative juices flowing at Cork & Chroma's paint and sip classes in South Bank. The order of events is simple: hold a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of pinot grigio in the other.  

Everyone is given a picture to replicate under the guidance of a professional artist, but expect lots of laughter, especially if your end product still resembles a stick figure.

11. Head to the flicks - under the stars

Movie lovers seeking unique things to do at night in Brisbane will find their perfect evening at Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema. Operating year-round and showcasing a program of films Thursday - Sunday evenings (including retro Thursdays), this is the spot to kick back beside beautiful New Farm Park and Brisbane River, and enjoy a movie under the moonlight. 

12. Have a laugh at the comedy club

Brisbane's comedy scene packs a punch, with venues like The Sit Down Comedy Club at The Paddo and Good Chat Comedy Club at Caxton St Brewing Co offering some of the most inclusive and entertaining nightlife experiences in the city. Comedy fans should also mark their calendars for the annual Brisbane Comedy Festival, where both established big names and exciting newcomers take the stage for side-splitting perfomances.