If the CBD is the heart of Brisbane, then Fortitude Valley (known simply as ‘The Valley’) is inarguably the pulse. An amalgam of the eclectic, eccentric and elite, here you will never fail to find a delightful mélange of crazy and corporate, musicians and mods, homeless and high fashion, alternative and avant-garde. Immediately northeast of the city center, The Valley was Australia’s first dedicated entertainment district and continues to be the epicenter of Brisbane nightlife; a bustling and sometimes overwhelming hive of clubs, bars, restaurants and adult entertainment.Live music was part of the areas very foundations and continues to be the essence of the Valley scene, with musicians, bands, DJ’s and buskers coming from around the country and the world to perform at any number of the precincts iconic venues.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Valley is a contradiction in and of itself. Here you will find trendy boutiques rubbing shoulders with gothic corsetieres, the graceful with the grunge and every kind of style, service and experience in between. The impressive Chinatown Mall nestles comfortably amidst ‘adult entertainment’ venues and ‘Super Clubs’, Brunswick St plays host to an awe-inspiringly eclectic cross-section of cuisine and venues, the elegantly European inspired Emporium complex channels decadence and old-worldy charm, and the James St shopping precinct offers up an array of Aussie fashion and eateries. Nowhere else in Brisbane can you find such a diverse and dynamic fusion of options.
With so many alternatives, it’s hard to know where to start in exploration of this vibrant district. Get some sustenance at Cirque Café before wandering to Sunday Social on Winn Lane; a gorgeous little vintage shop with super friendly staff. Head over to James St for more shopping options, and stop off at gourmet, old-style bake house Jocelyns Provisions for a coffee and scrumptious morning tea. Another muston James St is Gerard’s Bistro. This wonderful little eatery has a large alfresco deck which makes for a relaxed dining experience beneath the shade of large Poinciana trees. Of an evening, the ambient lighting, decadent dishes and extravagant cocktails make this a popular destination for foodies and party goers alike.
‘The real’ Brisbane experience is not complete without a night out in The Valley. While the intensity of the weekend crowds may be a little overwhelming for the uninitiated, starting with a quiet beer or rum cocktail at Alfred and Constance should take the edge off. Split into three separately themed spaces, this is an incredibly popular and unique venue, so get in early to secure a table. From here, head down the street to Kerbside, a funky converted warehouse with a street-style edge, before bar-hopping your way to the Press Club to grab some live music in their steampunk inspired surrounds. While there’s a hundred other noteworthy bars in between, it’s not a night in the Valley without finishing up at Cloudland; one of the most decadent and surreal clubs in the Southern Hemisphere. Where imagination meets elegance and design; opulence and mysticism abound in this three-level, multi-bar dreamscape.
After a few full days of indulgence, it would be criminal to go past Brisbane’s cultural headquarters The Judith Wright Centre. With an inexhaustible array of visual and performing arts, rehearsal spaces, showcases, openings and workshops, the JWC is an institution in the Arts, and is bound to offer something to sate all artistic appetites.
BUDGET IDEAS
This area has a wealth of cheap and cheerful alternatives for the budget conscious. Due to the diversity of its demographic, the Valley caters to all social groups and income streams. There is endless live music to be found for free or cheap entry at any number of the bars along the strip, and the Judith Wright Centre often hosts free or cheap workshops and is a treat to wander through the beautiful refurbished building even when there are no events on.
For an unbeatably delicious and affordable meal, head to Chinatown. While there are myriad great restaurants to choose from, you can’t go past Thai Wi-Rat, a Thai Laos restaurant with great service, fresh and fragrant cuisine and super cheap prices. Try the Som Tum Seafood Salad (green papaya salad) or the Duck Larb.
Finally, for those who dig the market vibe, the Valley Markets of a weekend has to be one of the best in Brisbane for vintage fashion, trinkets, treasures and people watching. There’s generally no shortage of buskers and street performers out to keep those less into retail therapy entertained.
CULTURAL INSIGHT
In 1849 Scottish immigrants from the ship SS Fortitude arrived in Brisbane with the promise of free land grants. Denied land, they set up camp in nearby Bowen Hills, and later moved on to settle the suburb which they named after the vessel they arrived on.
Some 50 years later, a train line was laid from the city center to Fortitude Valley, seeing the area flourish into a commercial hub. Rivalry between two local businessmen Thomas Beirne and James McWhirterfurther encouraged the areas development, and by the late 1890s Fortitude Valley was a thriving commercial district. The McWhirters building on the corner of Wickham and Brunswick Streets still stands as a testament to their prominence in the area to this day.
These days, around 50% of the 6000 odd inhabitants of The Valley were born in Australia, with New Zealand, England, China, Ireland and the Republic of Korea making up a large portion of the remainder. This can be seen in the popular trade of Asian goods and restaurants in the area.
