If you’re looking for fun and exciting things to do in Brisbane at night, you’ll be pleased to know that the city offers a wide range of options for after-dark entertainment and exploration.
When you’re looking for things to do in Brisbane, there’s plenty of daytime outdoor activities such as visiting the famous Streets Beach. But, of course Australia’s third biggest city has many fun things to do in Brisbane at night as well!
There’s everything from a classy wine tasting dinner, to seeing a movie under the stars, to getting an adrenaline rush, and everything in between. This list includes some of the must-do things to do in Brisbane at night along with some of my favourite hidden gems including Brisbane Twilight Markets, places to see modern art, the famous Eat Street, and much more!
1. Learn all about Brisbane on a popular true crime tour
If you’re spooked out by the paranormal but don’t mind the odd true crime story, you should check out this true crime tour. This is an excellent way to discover the mysteries and histories in Brisbane’s hidden alleyways, thanks to a local guide.
For 1.5 hours you stroll through the CBD, starting from Brisbane City Hall and past Queen Street mall, to hear about the underworld both written about – and left out of – the history books. I think this is a perfect activity for solos, couples and groups of friends.
2. Have an ‘oarsome’ time with a twilight paddle
Kayaking is such a fun light fitness activity, especially when it’s in a picturesque setting on the Brisbane River. Pre-book this 1.5 hour Sunset Tour with an experienced guide, while watching the sun go down over the city skyline. You don’t even need to have experience kayaking as the guide will give you all the info you need.
3. Brisbane Story Bridge night climb
As one of only three bridge climbs in the entire world, the Story Bridge climb is something you will tell your mates about for years to come. Pre-book this 2 Hour Night Climb which is the best way to experience it! The 360 degree panoramic views across Brisbane are insanely beautiful at night with the lights all lit up across the Brisbane River.
Just picture yourself taking on the challenge, or making it a memorable moment with a special someone (a unique proposal spot, anyone?). Best of all, you’ll get a photo at the end to remember the occasion of when you felt like you were on top of the world.
4. Enjoy a romantic dinner with wine tasting
Locals love this spot – the first winery in Brisbane in over 100 years. The aptly named City Winery makes their own wine right here, and a tasting is one of the best things to do in Brisbane at night.
On this Romantic Dinner with Wine Tasting tour, we learned from a fantastic local winemaker about the history and processes, while tasting four artisinal wines. Dinner was an absolutely delicious two-course meal – all fresh, local farm-to-table produce. If you’re into good wine and good food, this should be at the top of your list when you visit.
5. Enjoy a romantic Brisbane River cruise
This Brisbane River Cruise should be on your list of things to do in Brisbane at night. The multicolour skies with tinges of blue, orange and purple paints a stunning backdrop to the city skyline lights. The cruise goes from South Bank, up the river past the CBD, and across to Teneriffe, giving you a great snapshot into Brisbane.
Although it’s not technically a Brisbane River dinner cruise, this sunset cruise with your special someone is the perfect activity for a relaxed evening out. Check out my 9 Tips For Doing The Sunset River Cruise In Brisbane before you book!
6. Do something different with a night segway tour
Get up close and personal with nature and streetscapes and pre-book this Segway Night Tour. On the segway, expect to glide past the Story Bridge, Eagle Street Pier, City Botanical Gardens, South Bank Parklands, Goodwill Bridge and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
Checking out these sights under Brisbane’s night sky is an experience that everyone should do at least once, even if you’re a local. Best of all, a segway isn’t daunting at all – you’ll get a full safety brief and training before you head out with the group.
7. Cocktail bar hopping cruise
When you’re new to a city it’s hard to know which bars to go to. But this Unique Cocktail Bar Hopping Cruise is the best of both worlds.
We enjoyed cocktails on board to kick off the night, before stopping at two unique bars along the Brisbane river, including the Brisbane Powerhouse. Bring a special someone or make some new friends. The only thing you have to decide is what your first cocktail will be!
8. Pretend you’re a lumberjack and go axe throwing
Get some frustrations out and work on your aim and pre-book this Axe Throwing Experience! As a first-timer you should expect some guidance that’ll set you up for 90 minutes of fun, games and competitions in your own private lane.
This is an excellent activity to do with a group of friends especially if they’re competitive like mine. After you’ve finished throwing, there’s lots of great casual bars and restaurants close by to celebrate and compare the scorecards.
9. Laugh all night at the Sit Down Comedy Club
The Sit Down Comedy Club is a Brisbane institution which has been doling out belly laughs since 1992. This Paddington hotspot also has a full bar and restaurant so you can dine while the jokes are being dished out on stage.
Hosting loads of local and international comedians, as well as fresh new talent at their open mic nights and festivals, make sure you book for popular shows or check out the free comedy nights.
10. Get spooked with a ghost tour
Brisbane has been inhabited by people for thousands of year so it’s only natural that there’s supernatural around. If you love everything paranormal, you should learn about Brisbane’s creepy history and stories that makes this town haunted.
While most of the ghost tours include a wander through a cemetery – Toowong, Lutwyche and South Brisbane are most central – there’s also a fascinating CBD ghost tour that starts near King George Square.
11. Movie under the stars at Roma Street Parkland
During the warmer months, the Moonlight Cinema in Roma Street Parkland is the perfect spot for a movie under the night sky.
Roma Street Parklands is over 70 hectares of green space right in Brisbane’s city centre, and a fantastic spot during the day. However under the night sky, and among leafy trees and pristine grass, a summer outdoor cinema is one of my favourite things to do in Brisbane at night.
12. Catch a concert at one of Brisbane’s amazing live music venues
Live music is part of Brisbane’s DNA, and there are lots of free gigs to check out as well as popular international acts heading down under.
The Zoo, The Jazz Club, Fortitude Music Hall, Lefty’s, Doo-Bop Bar and the Triffid are some much loved live music venues in Brisbane. Expect live music with a great atmosphere and good vibes. Even during the weekdays, you can tend to find live music or entertainment in Queen Street Mall.
13. Picnic by the river
There are loads of amazing spots to picnic by the river in Brisbane. A couple of my favourite places are Orleigh Park in West End, New Farm Park, City Botanic Gardens, Captain Burke Park under the Story Bridge, Newstead Park, or Bulimba Riverside Park.
All of these spots have lit-up areas, well-manicured grass, play area for kids, and food to purchase nearby. It’s magical waiting out sunset by the river at one of these spots and watching the sun go down.
14. Have a drink at Howard Smith Wharves
If you want to go a bit fancier than a BYO picnic but still want those picnic vibes, then I’d recommend Howard Smith Wharves. Order drinks and delicious food while lounging on bean bags, or grab a table at the riverfront Felons Brewing Co.
This modern, buzzing precinct also has several upscale and casual restaurants and bars. I recommend starting with a cocktail at Fiume Rooftop Bar, followed by dinner at Greca (get the banquet, you’ll thank me later), and dessert at Goodtimes Gelateria (apple crumble gelato, anyone?). If this is your first time visiting Brisbane, Howard Smith Wharves is an absolute must do.
15. Eat up at Eat Street Northshore
One of my favourite night markets is Eat Street. You can even bring your dog to help you enjoy the 70 food stalls and live music. During the warmer months, go and check out the Sunset Cinema under the night sky.
Go hungry as there are so many local food vendors to choose from, including Argentinean to Japanese and everything in between. There is a small entry fee for Eat Street, but trust me it’s worth it to see why this is such a popular place to go at night. I like going on Sunday night because it’s not as busy, and quite a few other Brisbane restaurants are closed then.
16. Have dinner at one of Brisbane’s best restaurants
There’s no shortage of amazing restaurants in Brisbane city but you’ll want to reserve a table in advance to make sure you don’t miss out. Check out my 12 Secret Places To Eat In Brisbane for all of my top pick!
17. Evening markets in South Bank
Open every weekend, and until 9pm on Friday night and Saturday night, the Collective Markets in South Bank is the place to find that perfect gift for someone special (that includes you!).
You’ll find everything from locally made art and handicrafts, to fashion, plants, pet gear and more. I always find something unique every time I come here, plus it’s in the heart of the South Bank precinct with local food trucks and restaurants. There are a few seasonal Brisbane twilight markets, but these ones are open every weekend of the year.
18. Catch a flick at one of Brisbane’s open air cinemas
Watching a film under the Brisbane night sky is one of my favourite things to do. There’s just something about lounging on a bean bag in the fresh air with salty popcorn and ice cream!
Take your car (and dog!) to the Yatala Drive-In Movies. Bring a pillow and get comfy in your car for the double movie showing on Saturday night. Plus check out their 50s style diner for the ultimate movie snacks.
For something unique to tell all your friends about, check out the poolside Float In Cinema at the W Hotel in Brisbane City.
Brisbane also has a bunch of free outdoor movies run by the Brisbane City Council in local parks, particularly around Christmas time. These are a great activity for the whole family.
19. Watch a movie at one of the classic art deco theatres
Brisbane has a bunch of amazing art deco cinemas dotted around the inner city suburbs. My favourites are the Blue Room Cinebar, New Farm Cinemas, and the Elizabeth Picture Theatre. The Palace Cinemas also host international film festival favourites.
The great thing about these unique cinemas is that they offer a broader range of snacks, high quality olive oil popcorn, as well as alcoholic drinks you can take into the cinema. At the Palace Cinema, make sure you check out their pun-tastic pour sizes on their wine glasses too.
20. Local taverns for dinner
Breezy in the beer garden in summer and cosy in winter, Brisbane’s local pubs are a great place to go any night of the week.
The Breakfast Creek Hotel, Regatta Hotel, The Boundary Hotel, and The Plough Inn are just a few near the CBD. Expect midweek meal discounts, live music, and trivia nights. If you’re staying a little further out, check out The Crown, Eatons Hill Hotel, Grand View Hotel, or The Full Moon Hotel, for great suburban pubs.
21. Explore Brisbane’s laneways
Brisbane’s laneways combine eclectic street art, hole-in-the-wall cafes, bars and restaurants, local artisans, and even host events and festivals.
My favourites are Fish Lane in South Brisbane, Burnett Lane in the CBD, and California Lane and Bakery Lane both in Fortitude Valley. Take a photo with their instagrammable wall murals by local artists and fairy lights before you check out their food and drink options.
22. Check out the sparkling lights from Mt Coot-tha view
This is one of the best free things to do in Brisbane at night, and is definitely somewhere I take my out-of-town visitors. A short drive out of Brisbane’s CBD is Mt Coot-tha – the highest point in Brisbane that overlooks the Brisbane CBD city lights, across all the region and out to the bay. Bring a picnic with you so you can enjoy the view, or book a table at the restaurant.
23. Go clubbing at Fortitude Valley
In this entertainment precinct, you’ll find more dance floors than you can hit up in a few months. Saturday nights are most popular, but there’s always something on every night of the year if you’re a night owl in Fortitude Valley (‘the Valley’).
There are a few great spots for those looking for a good time – check out Prohibition (cocktails and dancing), The Met (great for dancing and DJs), Birdees (a casual backpacker club), Retros (for 90s music), and The Beat (a welcoming gay club). Once you’re there, I’m sure you’ll get great tips from other Brisbane locals for the next club to check out!
24. Go for a night lights walk at Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Kangaroo Point Cliffs show off one of the best free views of Brisbane at night. Stroll the well-lit pathway at the top of the cliffs for a birds eye view of the CBD and South Bank city lights. You can also head down the steep stairs to stroll along the riverfront to South Bank parklands. Pack a picnic, visit the Kangaroo Point clifftop restaurant Joey’s, or hop on the free ferry over to Riverside for dinner and drinks.
25. Night-time putt putt
Hit the driving range or enjoy a game of 18 hole putt putt at Victoria Park. This is the perfect date idea or go with a group of friends – purchase drinks at the bar and enjoy them on the course. You do have to book in advance so make sure you also book a table for dinner at the Bistro overlooking the putting greens. Their woodfired pizza is authentic and delicious, and will load you up with carbs to perfect your swing.
26. Brisbane Jazz Club
Our local jazz scene is top notch with excellent talent and fabulous jazz bars to spend an evening. At the base of the Story Bridge and near the Kangaroo Point Cliffs you’ll find the Brisbane Jazz Club. This jazz bar dishes up funk, blues, latin and big band, as well as classic and modern jazz. There is a dress code, and you can enjoy the tunes from the riverfront dance floor overlooking the CBD skyline.
27. Take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane
Brisbane’s version of the London Eye is right here in South Bank. Even if you go during the day, the Brisbane Wheel provides spectacular 360 degree views across the city. However, night time is a whole other story. Seeing Brisbane lit up from South Bank, West End, Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Story Bridge, is stunning.
You don’t need to pre-purchase your Brisbane Wheel tickets, so it’s a great spontaneous activity to do. This is a great activity to do on a Friday night, as you can also check out markets – with locally made crafts, jewellery, art, home decor and clothing – and the hundreds of restaurants and bars nearby.
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