The Best Fortitude Valley Bars to Begin an Evening Adventure

The sprawling, eccentric and sometimes notorious suburb of Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane’s most iconic areas, not only for arts and culture, but for the vibrant nightlife that unfolds after dark. Packed to the brim with music venues, restaurants, wine bars and more, this bustling suburb thrives during the evening, and idles to a simmer during the day.

Whether you’re chasing pumping music and cocktails, or a refined and quiet sipping saloon, we’ve found the best bars in Fortitude Valley to visit this weekend.

With Love, The Underground

Opening underneath the new Justin Lane restaurant lies a funky new underground bar, spinning vinyl as a backdrop to good food and good times. 

Drop by this Fortitude Valley bar for a drink and snack post-work, as vinyl DJs curate the perfect underground experience that Brisbane’s bar scene has been begging for.

 32 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley

The Gatsby

Inspired by the glitz, glamour and gossip of 1920s soirees, The Gatsby is our favourite fun new venue on Ann Street to visit on special occasions, or simply to escape the world after a long day in the office. The Gatsby beckons you with one of the most extensive selections of drinks, liqueurs and cocktails, with a 74-page menu showcasing a mix of classics alongside some fantastic new twists on your favourites.

Sitchu Tip: If you feel like splurging on a bottle of something special, go right ahead. If you don’t finish it on the day, you can safely store it in the building’s original 1887 vault, where it will await your next visit. We’ll wager you won’t want to leave it too long before returning to this beautiful bar!

740 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Dirty Sultan

Enter the world of the Dirty Sultan at this funky rooftop bar on quirky Constance Street. Blending Neo-Turkish street food bites with bespoke cocktails, the irrepressible energy of this cheeky rooftop bar is the perfect recipe for a good time.

Enjoy good food and quality spirits, and perhaps even partake in the shisha on your next visit to this amazing rooftop bar in Fortitude Valley.

Rooftop, 14-18 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley

Valley Hops Brewing

Right in the heart of the Valley, on top of one of Brisbane’s glitziest bars, lies a rooftop bar and brewery like no other. Valley Hops Brewing is a rooftop brewery, crafting independent beer that represents the vibrant, grungy and utterly unique character of the notorious Fortitude Valley district.

The clever crew behind the beer invite you to celebrate the liveliness, noise and energy that this part of Brisbane is known for, at their welcoming rooftop bar. A place to unwind and watch over the Valley, as its heartbeat pounds around you.

Rooftop Brewery, 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Nok Nok

A mysterious green door awaits you on Brunswick Street. Embellished with an old-fashioned brass door knocker, once you step through this door you’ll be transported into a lamp-lit, tropical-themed bar.

On the menu at Nok Nok is a mix of bespoke cocktails and boutique wines, so it’s the best new bar in Brisbane to visit to try something new after a long day in the office.

362 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Maya Rooftop

If you haven’t heard of Maya, we may have to dig you out from under that rock you’ve been living under. Fortitude Valley’s favourite rooftop bar is the place to be and to be seen.

Mixing Mexican-inspired food with panoramic views of Brisbane, Maya serves up classic Mexican cocktails along with house summery specials like the Frozen Passionfruit Margarita, made with Patron Reposado, passoa, passionfruit, vanilla, pineapple, orange and lime.

So gather the group chat for a Mexican fiesta at one of the Valley's best watering holes!

757 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

BrewDog

The internationally famed, Scottish-born, carbon-negative brewery has arrived in Fortitude Valley, and we’re all the better for it. Opposite the Valley Metro, in the heart of Brisbane’s grungiest nightlife district, lies a beacon of better brewing, known as Brewdog.

Pouring sustainably made craft beer, ginger beer and shandies, you can also enjoy wine and cocktails at this roomy bar in Brisbane. There are plenty of tasty eats on the menu, too, with half of the options being plant-based.

235 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Savile Row

A hidden gem that will transport you straight to the streets of London, Savile Row’s vintage décor and classic cocktail list will have you hooked instantly. Hidden behind an unassuming orange door on Ann Street, this sultry speakeasy is decked out in dark woods, giant chandeliers and swathes of brass and leather.

If you want a taste of London circa 1930, this is where you’ll find it. Boasting one of the largest spirits collections in the city, you’ll never be bored selecting a drink at this must-do bar in Fortitude Valley. You’ll find it behind the orange door.

667 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Dark Red

For lovers of wine and trying new things, Dark Red is one of the best bars in Fortitude Valley. Wander down Bakery Lane in Fortitude Valley, and you'll discover a moody little wine nook, filled to the brim with a top-notch, Italian-leaning wine menu.

Choose from the curated list of daily drops, or ask for a recommendation that's guaranteed to knock your socks off. Dark Red has a casual, cosy feel that will keep you coming back time and time again. Plus, if you're lucky you may even meet the resident rescue pooch, Daisy!

694 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

SOKO Rooftop

One of Brisbane’s newest rooftop bars is the Amazonian-inspired SOKO Rooftop, in the freshly refurbished Jubilee Place.

Enjoy uninhibited views over the Brisbane city skyline as you sip from the extensive drinks list that spans cocktails, mocktails, wine and sake.

Dine on their signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion food that will tantalise your tastebuds as you watch the sun go down over the city. This is one of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane for stunning skyline views and an utterly unique time!

Level 14/470 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley

The Nixon Room

The Nixon Room pays homage to years past with deep hues, tan leather armchairs and oak panelling, in a moody venue destined to inspire you to unwind. This hidden gem of a bar is the perfect escape from a busy day, serving up cold cocktails and snacks to treat your palate.

There’s no signage to announce The Nixon Room’s existence, but you’ll find it by slipping through ESSA Restaurant, or by wandering down the fig-tree-lined laneway off Robertson Street.

Once you’re ensconced within the moody interiors, surrounded by marble and leather with an expertly mixed drink in hand, you’ll understand why we’ve rated this as one of the best bars in Fortitude Valley.

3/181 Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley

Netherworld

The ultimate grown-up playground, Netherworld invites you in for a night of unique craft beers, creative cocktails, tasty eats and an incredible array of games. Hosting 15 pinball machines, 25 arcade machines, classic consoles and bookshelves stacked with board games, there’s never a dull moment in this colourful and quirky drinking destination.

While you’re here, tuck into a hearty burger or vegan feed, and sip from 24 taps of local beers, ciders and mixed elixirs.

We don’t think it will be long before you realise why we’ve rated Netherworld as one of the best bars in Fortitude Valley.

186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Bloodhound Bar

Plonked on a corner of Brunswick Street in the heart of Fortitude Valley, Bloodhound Bar is a cosy, two-story watering hole that pours from an ever-changing menu of local, national and international craft beers (gluten-free options included!).

With a friendly and hospitable team, we love Bloodhound Bar for an after-work ale, catch up with your pals or even a low-key date night out. They also know a thing or two about red wine and Peruvian food, so this Fortitude Valley bar caters well to a wide audience.

454 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Sixes & Sevens

The vibes at Sixes & Sevens are unmissable to any passersby on James Street, leading to an eventual expansion of their outdoor seating as the walls of this 1878 cottage spilled over with jolly patrons.

From the exterior, the uniquely Queensland aesthetic of the white facade shines through, and once you’re indoors, you’ll feel immediately at home with intimate lounge-style seating and wide-open window seats (perfect for sundowners).

On the menu you’ll find snacks and share plates, burgers, bowls and boards to complement the range of cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine on offer at this popular Fortitude Valley bar.

67 James Street, Fortitude Valley

Now that you’ve explored all the best bars in Fortitude Valley, you might be a little peckish. Check out the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley, or find one of Brisbane’s newest restaurants to elevate your evening.