These Brisbane live music venues demand every muso’s attention

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Tired Lion at The Tivoli | Live music venues Brisbane

By Sarah Bristow

You've seen the sights, but now it's time to hear what makes the River City so special.

It's easy to catch a glimpse of Brisbane’s seriously impressive live music scene at one of the many gigs held across the city each week. The Queensland capital has long been a haven of budding musicians: this is the birthplace of Powderfinger, The Saints, Violent Soho, Ball Park Music and the Go-Betweens, after all. From musician-owned venues to passionate local talent, Brisbane has built a solid reputation as one of the best live music hubs in the country – and it’s well worth checking out while you’re here in town.

Here are the best live music venues in Brisbane to put on your radar.

The Triffid, Newstead

British band The Snuts perform onstage at The Triffid to a large crowd — The Triffid, Newstead, Brisbane. Photo by @thetriffid

Step into one of the most popular Brisbane live music venues at The Triffid. The creation of Powderfinger bassist John ‘JC’ Collins, this Newstead gig space has modified a former WWII aircraft hangar into a prime entertainment venue with the best possible audio experience for its 800-strong audience. Not to mention it has a beer garden for grabbing a drink or burger pre-show, and plenty of free gigs thanks to the ongoing Acoustic Wednesdays and Sunday afternoons in the garden.

Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley

Band performs at Fortitude Music Hall — Fortitude Music Hall, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Photo by @thefortitudemusichall

In the heart of Fortitude Valley is Australia’s largest ballroom/theatre styled venue, The Fortitude Music Hall. Opened in 2020, it was the brainchild of the team behind The Triffid, Secret Sounds (The Falls Festival & Splendour in The Grass) and Live Nation (behind iconic venues worldwide such as House of Blues and Fillmore Theatre) – all with a passion to cement Brisbane as the live music city. With a capacity of up to 3,000, the venue houses five bars and some of the biggest touring acts. You can also catch live tunes at Fortitude Music Hall's smaller space, The Outpost.

Lefty’s Music Hall, Petrie Terrace

Close up of singer onstage at Leftys Music Hall, standing beside guitarist — Leftys Music Hall, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane. Photo by @leftys_musichall

Grab a whisky apple and settle into the sounds of rockabilly bands at beloved Lefty’s Music Hall. Just a stone's throw from Suncorp Stadium on bustling Caxton Street, this lively space is one of the most sumptuous dressed of Brisbane’s live music venues - think red and leather and plenty of it. Home to country music and American-style bites, make it your mission to find Lefty’s hidden maritime-themed drinking den dubbed The Mermaid Lounge.

The Brightside, Fortitude Valley

Having recently celebrated its tenth anniversary of gracing music-loving Brisbanites with good tunes, The Brightside shows no signs of slowing down. The revamped church on Fortitude Valley’s Warner Street is the meeting space for fans of hardcore, rock, indie and alternative music, with an intimate indoor gig space and larger beer garden space transforming into a pop-up stage for larger gigs and festivals. The Brightside crew is a true supporter of local, independent music – hosting the Access All Areas band comp to discover Brisbane’s hottest unsigned bands and artists.

Bonus for gig-goers: Lucky Egg slings delicious fried chicken from their kiosk in the beer garden Wednesday – Saturday from 6pm til late.

The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley

View of crowds across upper and lower levels at art-deco performance space The Tivoli — The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Greet a Brisbane icon with a trip to The Tivoli. The Fortitude Valley resident is an indoor theatre, music venue, and event space in one that comfortably accommodates 1500 standing. Dubbed ‘The Tiv’ by locals, the art deco space is the city’s most famous and beloved of music dens - originally built as Adams Bakery in 1917 it wasn’t until Expo 88 that the expansive space was remodeled for entertainment, its interiors inspired by a famed French cabaret theatre.

The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba

Brisbane’s oldest standing theatre, Princess Theatre reopened in 2021 to become the city’s newest home for live music and entertainment.

The heritage-listed theatre dates back to 1888, and will impress well before show time with its ornate detail and stunning architecture. Revitalised by The Tivioli owners, Steve and Dave Sleswick, state-of-the-art performance spaces are guaranteed, plus four bars, a café and multiple event spaces throughout. Check out the calendar of events: you’ll find everything from live music and theatre to circus and cabaret.

Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point

Five piece jazz band performs to an intimate crowd seated at tables, at Brisbane Jazz Club — Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. Photo by @thebrisbanejazzclub

Jazzophiles best make way for the Brisbane Jazz Club. Devoted to celebrating the musical genre - and making it accessible to Queenslanders - the club itself is a not-for-profit enterprise run by a self-described ‘fanatically dedicated’ committee group. Welcoming of jazz fans from all age groups, the Brisbane Jazz Club hosts school and college bands regularly, alongside both established and emerging local talents.

Can't get enough? Be sure to discover other prominent jazz bars in Brisbane including Doo Bop Bar, Chattanooga Jazz Bar and hidden gem Mr Vain, a pan-Asian dining destination that offers live jazz every Thursday from 7pm - 9pm.

The Bearded Lady, West End

Head for West End, where you’ll find yourself in another inner-city suburb with plenty of personality. Among the collection of cafes, bars, and pubs sit a gaggle of Brisbane live music venues, The Bearded Lady included. Thursday through Sunday evenings you’ll be able to catch a gig from local and touring bands both, weekly 'Gyspy Jazz Sundays' for $10 at the door, as well as free shows every Wednesday in the front bar.

Riverstage, Brisbane City

Views of crowds on the hill at Riverstage as fireworks erupts over Brisbane River — Riverstage, Brisbane City

Hosting major artists and some of Brisbane's biggest festivals, if you're a live music fan you’ll no doubt find yourself at Riverstage, right in the heart of the City Botanic Gardens. The outdoor entertainment venue makes the most of Queensland’s generally sunny skies, and is designed to accommodate 9,500 across its 2 hectares, making it popular for major events. It’s also the annual host of the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols.

Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley

Blink and you may miss Black Bear Lodge, the intimate hole-in-the-wall that remains devoted to Brisbane’s live music scene. Amidst its eclectic mix of vintage furniture you’ll find a DJ spinning tunes, an up-and-coming band, or a musician entertaining the night’s guests with an acoustic set. Pop by for a drink, but stay for the easy entertainment.

Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane City

Band plays onstage at Brooklyn Standard, to a packed crowd dancing along — Photo by @brooklynstandard

It’s not your standard city venue – but that’s exactly why the locals love Brooklyn Standard. Tucked into Eagle Lane, this cosy New York-themed basement bar has won ‘Australia’s Best Live Music Venue’, and offers good times and live music six nights a week, with a lean towards blues, funk and soul. Muso’s love the jam nights on Wednesdays.

Greaser, Fortitude Valley

It’s a winning combination of American fare and local musicians that you’ll find down a dark alley in this basement bar. Open Wednesday to Saturday, it’s at Greaser you can munch on a menu awash with classic cheeseburgers and deep fried chicken wings while you enjoy the rock'n'roll of Brisbane local bands. This is a spot that offers plenty of free gigs, too.

Looking for more live music in Brisbane?

An ever-growing number of Brisbane bars are adding live music to their weekly lineups. For good times galore in Fortitude Valley, head to Hawaiian dive bar, Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar; Honky Tonks for boot-scooting country tunes; and The Sound Garden which has local artists playing live every Friday and Saturday. In the suburbs, discover The Junk Bar (Ashgrove) and It's Still A Secret (South Brisbane).

Community events and festivals to add to your calendar

Performer onstage at BIGSOUND music festival in Brisbane — BIGSOUND, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Photo by @scape_visuals

Brisbane is a proudly creative city, which you can discover simply by the amount of musically events hosted here each year. Check out the free regular events for a taste, like City Sounds, or Sunday Social on River Quay Green in South Bank Parklands.

In 2024, Queensland Music Trails unites the annual arts-bonanza Brisbane Festival with flagship event Sweet Relief! (7 Sep) a one-day celebration that will see Kelis, The Presets, Electric Fields, Haiku Hands take the stage. And don’t miss out on BIGSOUND (3 - 6 Sep), one of the country’s biggest music and industry events, focused on showcasing and supporting rising talent.