Arguably Australia’s most up-and-coming city, Brisbane has gone from ‘big country town’ to modern cosmopolitan international city in less than a decade, and is now a favorite destination for locals and international visitors alike.

With 12-months of sunshine and mostly clear blue skies, visitors to Brisbane can enjoy all it has to offer in comfort all through the day and well into the night. After exploring its edgy and modern art precinct, South Bank Parklands and the nearby beaches of North Stradbroke Island, it’s time to get lost in the city’s uber-cool nightlife. And what better way to experience it than from high above, in one of the trendy rooftop bars that have sprung up across the city as its grown into the exciting metropolis you find today.

To kick start your Brisbane nightlife experience in the best possible way, here’s our selection of the top 5 rooftop bars to visit while in town. (In no particular order)

1. Up On Constance

Address: 14-20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

This stylish rooftop bar located on top of the TRYP Hotel has a certain Melbourne vibe to it given the entrance is via a laneway covered in graffiti. It also has a retractable roof and bi-fold windows so no matter the weather, this is a prime location for afternoon or evening drinks and a spot of people watching.

Up On Constance certainly embraces its Queensland roots with chic citrus and sky blue colored furniture, and the signature fruity cocktails and refreshing margaritas add another layer of summer sunshine to this classy venue.

Enjoy a wide selection of shared plates (if you haven’t already eaten a delicious burger from Chur Burger downstairs) while soaking in the views of New Farm and Teneriffe Hill, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Story Bridge and surrounding Fortitude Valley apartment blocks.

Open Thursday and Friday 4pm-late; Saturday and Sunday 2pm-late

2. Eagles Nest

Address: 12th Floor, The Point Hotel, 21 Lambert Street, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169

Perched on top of an exclusive hotel in an fashionable suburb, it boasts panoramic views of the city skyline, Story Bridge, Brisbane River, Mt Coot-tha and the City Botanic Gardens.

With a wide and diverse selection of beverages from beers and wines to French Martinis and Moet Ice, a Spanish inspired tapas menu and live music, it’s hard to think of a better place to spend a Sunday afternoon and watch the magical Brisbane sun disappear over the western horizon.

While Eagles Nest is stunning to say the least, it’s only open on Sunday afternoons, so whatever you’ve got planned at this time, swap it for an afternoon here instead.

Open every Sunday from 3pm.

3. Soleil Pool Bar

Address: Podium Level, Rydges South Bank, Corner Grey and Glenelg Streets, South Bank QLD 4101

Who doesn’t love a pool party? Soleil Pool Bar in Brisbane’s South Bank delivers with an extra level of sophistication and style. Get a tan around the pool during the day, or head inside to the bar and dance to the DJ’s beats long into the night. Famous for its cocktails, they might be on the pricey side but they don’t disappoint. And the fact the bar staff like to put on a show adds to the value.

Food is available morning, noon and night, so you can sample anything from granola parfait, pizzas, a selection of finger food and sweet treats such as sugared doughnuts and gourmet jaffles until 10pm.

Open Monday to Friday midday-late; Saturday and Sunday 8am-late

4. Dandy’s Rooftop

Address: Fox Hotel, 71-73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Dandy’s Rooftop is unadulterated, good old-fashioned fun from head to toe. Everything from the art deco Fox Hotel venue, astro turf floor, colorful birdcages and patio furniture screams out that good times are what makes this place tick. The 1970’s tennis theme extends to the drinks menu with cocktails named after Anna Kournikova and Pat Cash, as well as the signature Dandy’s Ginger Beer.

The rooftop BBQ pumps out great food that can be shared amongst those in your group, or with complete strangers at the next table if you want to make some new friends! And then there’s the view to complete this awesome watering hole.

Open Friday 4pm-late; Saturday and Sunday 2pm-late

5. Limes Hotel Rooftop Bar

Address: 142 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

The original and still one of the best. You can’t make a list of Brisbane’s best rooftop bars without including the place that started it all. Limes Rooftop Bar features two plunge pools, astro turf on the floor and wooden decking to give it the resort-style ambience perfectly suited to Brisbane’s amazing all-year-round weather.

Pair beers, wines, champagne, mojitos and shots with delicious bar food such as Spanish meatballs, spiced calamari and buffalo mozzarella bruschetta, all while taking in the views stretching across Fortitude Valley. And for the movie buffs, swing by every Wednesday and Thursday night for a screening of semi-recent box office classics from 7pm.

Open Wednesday and Thursday 5pm-midnight; Friday and Saturday 3pm-3am; Sunday 3pm-midnight

Over to you…

A combination of superb venues, outstanding bar staff and chilled out friendly locals will ensure you have an amazing time hopping from one rooftop bar to the next on a night out in Brisbane. The bar staff are well trained to mix the perfect drink for you no matter what you’re looking for, and with their mandatory RSA Online QLD training, they’ll keep the crowd under control so everyone has a great time.

So what are you waiting for? If sun, sand, the mod cons of a cosmopolitan city and a nightlife to die for and what you’re looking for, then book a ticket for Brisbane and let the good times roll. If you are looking to travel and pickup work in hospitality in Brisbane you can take advantage of a 50% discount Offer for an RSA Online QLD Certificate.

The RSA qualification (SITHFAB201 – Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol) can be completed online or by correspondence by Express Online Training (Course RTO 40592).

Words by: Emma Bellucci, content specialist at Express Online Training who specialise in insights and online training courses for hospitality and construction across Australia.
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣6️⃣•8️⃣•2️⃣4️⃣