Best Bars for Business Travellers in Brisbane
Business travel can be demanding. Long days of meetings and negotiations can leave you feeling drained. That’s why unwinding and recharging after a long day is crucial. Brisbane, with its vibrant bar scene, offers the perfect escape for business travellers seeking relaxation and networking opportunities.
Brisbane’s Vibrant Bar Scene
Brisbane boasts a diverse and thriving bar scene, offering something for every taste and preference. From sophisticated cocktail bars to lively pubs and everything in between, Brisbane has it all.
This guide will explore some of the best bars in Brisbane for business travelers, offering a mix of sophisticated settings for networking and relaxed atmospheres for unwinding.
Criteria for the Best Business Travel Bars
Professional Atmosphere:
- Quiet Ambiance: A calm and subdued atmosphere is crucial for comfortable conversations and focused discussions.
- Comfortable Seating: Well-appointed seating, such as plush armchairs or comfortable booths, promotes relaxation and encourages extended stays.
- Attentive and Discreet Service: Efficient and attentive service without being intrusive is essential.
Location and Accessibility:
- Convenient Location: Ideally located near hotels and business districts, making it easily accessible for business travellers.
- Easy to Reach by Public Transport: Proximity to public transport options enhances convenience and accessibility for those without their transportation.
- Renting a car at Brisbane Airport can be a convenient way to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace. With a rental car, you can easily visit different bars, restaurants, and attractions.
Food and Beverage Options:
- High-Quality Food and Drink Menus: A diverse menu offering a range of appetizers, light meals, and desserts is essential.
- Extensive Wine and Cocktail Lists: A well-curated selection of wines, cocktails, and spirits caters to diverse preferences.
Business Traveler Amenities:
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Reliable and high-speed Wi-Fi is crucial for staying connected and checking emails.
- Power Outlets for Charging Devices: Convenient access to power outlets for charging laptops, phones, and other electronic devices is essential.
- Comfortable Workspaces: Some bars may offer dedicated workspaces or quiet corners for business travellers to conduct work or make calls.
Stylish Cocktail Bars in Brisbane
1. Death and Taxes
- Known for its extensive cocktail menu and old-world ambience, Death and Taxes is a popular choice for those seeking a sophisticated and intimate setting.
- Key Features: Extensive cocktail menu, old-world ambience, intimate setting.
- Specialty: Cocktails, Whiskey
- Location: 36 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: https://www.deathandtaxesbar.com.au/
2. Before + After
- Description: Offers a sophisticated setting with a focus on classic cocktails. Antico Bar features a refined atmosphere and a carefully curated selection of spirits.
- Key Features: Sophisticated setting, classic cocktails, refined atmosphere.
- Specialty: Classic Cocktails, Spirits
- Location: 48 Burnett Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: https://www.anticobar.com.au/
3. Antico Bar
- Perched atop the Crystalbrook Vincent Hotel, Fiume offers stunning city views and a sophisticated ambience. It’s known for its creative cocktails, delicious Italian-inspired dishes, and a lively atmosphere.
- Key Features: Stunning city views, sophisticated ambience, creative cocktails, Italian-inspired dishes, lively atmosphere.
- Specialty: Cocktails, Italian-inspired dishes
- Location: Level 3/5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: https://www.crystalbrookcollection.com/vincent/fiume
4. Dr Gimlette
- A stylish bar known for its creative cocktails and lively atmosphere. Dr Gimlette offers a unique and innovative cocktail experience.
- Key Features: Creative cocktails, lively atmosphere, unique cocktails.
- Specialty: Creative Cocktails
- Location: 109 Edward St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
5. The Gresham Bar
- Located in a historic building, this bar offers a sophisticated setting with a focus on premium spirits and cocktails. The Gresham Bar exudes a timeless elegance and provides a refined atmosphere for enjoying expertly crafted drinks.
- Key Features: Historic building, sophisticated setting, premium spirits, cocktails.
- Specialty: Premium Spirits, Cocktails
- Location: 308 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: https://www.thegresham.com.au/
Top-rated sports bars in Brisbane
1. Winghaus Edward Street
- This bustling sports bar is a popular spot for watching live games, with 40 beers on tap and a menu featuring signature chicken wings and other pub grub.
- Key Features: 40 beers on tap, live sports, chicken wings, pub fare.
- Specialty: Sports Viewing, Craft Beer, Chicken Wings
- Location: 1/144 Edward St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: http://winghaus.com.au/
2. Fat Angel Sports Bar and Grill
- This bar offers a lively atmosphere, a wide selection of drinks, and plenty of TVs to catch the game. It’s known for its focus on American sports and its extensive pub food menu.
- Key Features: Lively atmosphere, wide drink selection, multiple TVs, American sports focus, pub fare.
- Specialty: American Sports, Pub Fare, Cocktails
- Location: Eagle Ln, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: https://www.fatangelsportsbar.com.au/
3. Winghaus Bowen Hills
- Another location of the popular Winghaus chain, this sports bar offers a similar atmosphere and menu to the Edward Street location.
- Key Features: 40 beers on tap, live sports, chicken wings, pub fare.
- Specialty: Sports Viewing, Craft Beer, Chicken Wings
- Location: 45 King St, Bowen Hills QLD 4006, Australia
- Website: http://winghaus.com.au/
4. Osbourne Hotel
- This hotel features a lively bar with a focus on live sports, cocktails, craft beer, and global fare. It also offers outdoor seating.
- Key Features: Live sports, cocktails, craft beer, global fare, outdoor seating.
- Specialty: Sports Viewing, Cocktails, Craft Beer
- Location: 766 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia
5. The Sporting Globe Bar & Grill Chermside
- This modern and roomy venue offers a comfortable setting to watch sports with friends. It features booths, screens, and hearty pub-style meals.
- Key Features: Modern setting, multiple screens, booths, pub-style meals.
- Specialty: Sports Viewing, Pub Fare
- Location: Shop R1, Gympie Rd, Chermside QLD 4032, Australia
- Website: https://www.sportingglobe.com.au/locations/chermside/
Rooftop Bars with Panoramic Views in Brisbane
1. The Terrace Rooftop Bar
- Located at the Emporium Hotel South Bank, this rooftop bar offers stunning views of the Brisbane River and the city skyline. It’s known for its sophisticated atmosphere, delicious cocktails, and a menu featuring modern Australian cuisine.
- Key Features: Sophisticated ambience, stunning city views, delicious cocktails, modern Australian cuisine.
- Specialty: Cocktails, Modern Australian Cuisine
- Location: Emporium Hotel South Bank, Level 21/267 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia
- Website: https://www.emporiumhotels.com.au/
2. LINA ROOFTOP
- Situated in South Brisbane, LINA ROOFTOP boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the city and Story Bridge. It’s a vibrant rooftop bar with a lively atmosphere, perfect for enjoying cocktails and socialising.
- Key Features: Panoramic views, lively atmosphere, cocktails, city views, Story Bridge views.
- Specialty: Cocktails, Lively Atmosphere
- Location: 74/80 Tribune St, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia
- Website: https://linarooftop.com.au/
3. Fiume Rooftop Bar
- Perched atop the Crystalbrook Vincent Hotel, Fiume offers stunning city views and a sophisticated ambience. It’s known for its creative cocktails, delicious Italian-inspired dishes, and a lively atmosphere.
- Key Features: Stunning city views, sophisticated ambience, creative cocktails, Italian-inspired dishes, lively atmosphere.
- Specialty: Cocktails, Italian-inspired dishes
- Location: Level 3/5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Website: https://www.crystalbrookcollection.com/vincent/fiume
4. Sunsets Rooftop
- Located in Kangaroo Point, Sunsets Rooftop offers stunning panoramic views of the Brisbane River, the city skyline, and the Story Bridge. It’s a popular spot to enjoy sunset cocktails and soak up the city views.
- Key Features: Panoramic views, sunset cocktails, city views, Brisbane River views, Story Bridge views.
- Specialty: Sunset Cocktails, City Views
- Location: 95 Linton St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia
- Website: https://www.sunsetsrooftop.com.au/
5. Cielo Rooftop
- Located in Fortitude Valley, Cielo Rooftop offers a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere with stunning city views. It’s known for its delicious Italian-inspired dishes, extensive cocktail list, and vibrant atmosphere.
- Key Features: Relaxed atmosphere, stunning city views, Italian-inspired dishes, extensive cocktail list, vibrant atmosphere.
- Specialty: Italian-inspired dishes, Cocktails
- Location: Rooftop, 209 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia
- Website: https://www.cielorooftop.com.au/
Brisbane's Top Wine Bars
1. Wineology
- A popular wine bar with a focus on Australian wines. It offers a wide range of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as a selection of tapas and charcuterie boards.
- Key Features: Wide range of Australian wines, tapas, charcuterie boards
- Specialty: Australian Wine, Tapas
- Location: Multiple locations in Brisbane
- Website: https://wineology.biz/
2. Maeve Wine Bar
- A stylish wine bar located in South Brisbane, Maeve offers a curated selection of European and Australian wines, as well as a delicious menu of small plates and charcuterie.
- Key Features: European and Australian wines, small plates, charcuterie, stylish atmosphere
- Specialty: Wine, Small Plates, Charcuterie
- Location: 39 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
- Website: https://maeve.wine/
3. The Old Seven
- A charming wine bar and cafe located in Camp Hill. It offers a curated selection of wines, as well as a menu of light bites and charcuterie.
- Key Features: Curated wine selection, light bites, charcuterie, cozy atmosphere
- Specialty: Wine, Light Bites, Charcuterie
- Location: 179 Old Cleveland Rd, Camp Hill QLD 4152, Australia
- Website: https://www.theoldseven.com.au/
4. Noir Paddington
- A cosy wine bar with a focus on natural and organic wines. It offers a curated selection of wines, as well as a small menu of snacks and charcuterie.
- Key Features: Natural and organic wines, small plates, cosy atmosphere
- Specialty: Natural and Organic Wines, Small Plates
- Location: Paddington, Brisbane
- Website: https://noirpaddington.com.au/
5. Ardo's Wine
- A neighborhood wine bar with a focus on small, independent producers. Ardo’s offers a wide selection of wines by the glass and bottle, as well as a menu of small plates and charcuterie.
- Key Features: Small, independent wine producers, wine by the glass, small plates, charcuterie
- Specialty: Wine, Small Plates, Charcuterie
- Location: Multiple locations in Brisbane
Tips for Business Travellers
Here are some tips to help you navigate business travel with ease and efficiency:
Pre-Trip Planning
- Pack Smart: Pack lightly and efficiently, prioritising essential items. Use packing cubes to organise your belongings.
- Check Visa and Passport Requirements: Ensure your travel documents are up-to-date and valid.
- Research Your Destination: Familiarise yourself with local customs, currency, and transportation options.
- Book Accommodation: Choose accommodation that meets your needs, whether it’s a convenient location, comfortable amenities, or reliable Wi-Fi.
- Plan Your Itinerary: Create a detailed itinerary, including flight schedules, meetings, and free time.
- Download Necessary Apps: Use travel apps to assist with bookings, navigation, language translation, and currency conversion.
During Your Trip
- Stay Organised: Keep important documents, such as your passport, itinerary, and boarding passes, organised and easily accessible.
- Stay Connected: Use Wi-Fi or a local SIM card to stay connected with colleagues, clients, and family.
- Manage Jet Lag: Adjust your sleep schedule gradually before your trip and upon arrival.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially during long flights.
- Eat Healthily: Choose healthy meals and snacks to maintain your energy levels.
- Take Breaks: Schedule short breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.
- Network Effectively: Attend industry events and conferences to build relationships and expand your professional network.
- Be Mindful of Cultural Differences: Respect local customs and etiquette to avoid misunderstandings.
Post-Trip
- Organise Receipts and Expenses: Keep track of all receipts and expenses for reimbursement or tax purposes.
- Follow Up on Business Matters: Send thank-you notes, follow up on leads, and schedule follow-up meetings.
- Learn from the Trip: Reflect on your experiences and identify areas for improvement for future business trips.
Explore Brisbane's Vibrant Nightlife with Alpha Car Hire
Combine your business trip to Brisbane with a thrilling exploration of its vibrant nightlife scene. By renting a Brisbane car from Alpha Car Hire, you’ll have the flexibility to visit the city’s best bars and clubs at your own pace.
Alpha Car Hire offers a wide range of rental vehicles to suit your needs and preferences. Whether you’re travelling solo, with a partner, or as a group, they have the perfect car for your business trip and nightlife adventures.
With a rental car from Alpha Car Hire, you’re ready to explore Brisbane’s vibrant nightlife scene. Discover hidden gems, sample delicious cocktails, and create unforgettable memories.