Fortitude Valley, New Farm and Newstead are great for nightlife and entertainment, with countless bars, restaurants, live music venues and a buzzing laneway scene.
Highlights
Fortitude Valley, or “The Valley” as the locals call it, is the place to go for a night out. Check out local and international DJs at the trendy bars and clubs lining Brunswick Street, Wickham Street and the laneways. The Press Club, Family, Laruche and The Met are some of the best.
Ric’s Bar is an iconic music venue where you can catch live music and DJ sets nearly every night of the week. You can also get cheap Tex-Mex meals and a Thursday special including a burger, fries and a drink for just $14. Eleven Rooftop Bar is a sophisticated bar serving up fantastic meals and drinks on a wraparound balcony with stunning views of the CBD, Story Bridge and outer suburbs.
Chinatown Mall in Fortitude Valley bursts with colour and culture. Snap a selfie at the traditional Chinese gates before exploring Chinese supermarkets, yum cha restaurants, takeaway eateries and more.
Tea Master is a vegetarian Asian eatery on Wickham Street that serves tasty meals at low prices, with pots of tea from Taiwan. Gerard’s Bistro is an award-winning restaurant dishing up African, Middle Eastern and European food that’s perfect for sharing. Betty’s Burgers in Newstead delivers sky-high burgers, thick shakes and fries in a retro rock and roll setting. Nearby Fish’s Seafood Market sells exceptional seafood with large but affordable portions.
New Farm Park is the place to go for picnics and lengthy strolls. Set over 15 hectares, the park is one of the oldest in Brisbane and is studded with a diverse range of trees and tropical flowers, including jacaranda trees that border the park and bloom bright purple in October and November.
Right next door is the Brisbane Powerhouse. Built in the 1920s as a power station to supply electricity to Brisbane’s old trams, the building is now an iconic arts and entertainment centre. Catch comedy shows, cabaret, theatre, live music, art exhibitions, free events, festivals and more. Then, dine at Bar Alto for modern Italian or Mary Mae’s for colourful cocktails and New Orleans-style soul food.
Not to be outdone, The Triffid in Newstead is one of Brisbane’s most famous music venues. Once an aircraft hangar during World War II, it now hosts some of the most exciting local and international performers. There’s also a beer garden that serves pub food and drinks so you can relax and get to know the locals while soaking up Brisbane’s music scene.
Community facilities
The New Farm Neighbourhood Centre is an excellent spot to socialise with the local community and seek help when you need it. It offers a range of useful services such as free legal advice every Tuesday and a health clinic with a variety of practitioners, including a GP, dietician and counsellor. You can also get involved in a number of regular social activities, groups and classes such as food events, yoga and tennis.
In Newmarket, the Multicultural Community Centre is a fantastic organisation that assists Brisbane’s diverse population. It provides a range of courses and programs, as well as English Conversation Clubs every Thursday and information sessions for temporary Australian residents on everything from banking and managing money to renting and employment.
There are many medical centres across Fortitude Valley, including Myhealth Medical Centre in the Valley Metro, Doctors On Brunswick, and The Health Hub on St Paul’s Terrace. There’s also Newmarket 7 Day Medical Centre and Newmarket Family Doctors in Newmarket Village.
Stay fit in Fortitude Valley by working out in one of the any gyms in the area including PCYC Fortitude Valley, Jetts Fortitude Valley, and Good Life Health Clubs.
Unique experiences
The Brisbane Valley Markets in Fortitude Valley are the go-to markets for creative folk. This is where the most exciting up-and-coming designers in the city showcase their crafts, meaning you can pick up something truly unique. Every Saturday between 10am and 5pm, the stalls are packed with retro fashion, handmade jewellery, vinyl records and a great selection of local and international food.
