So, you're in Brisbane. And you've heard about this place called Fortitude Valley. It's where most of the city's bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants preside, but where on earth do you start?
Well, luckily for you, you've stumbled upon a local's guide – and there are plenty of hidden gems to check out in the streets of the Valley. From suave, speakeasy bars to hole-in-the-wall burger joints and churches-turned-clubs, there's an abundance of places to fill up your plate, cup or cut shapes in.
Where is Fortitude Valley?
Fortitude Valley is about 10 minutes drive from Brisbane's CBD, nestled in between the leafy riverside suburb of New Farm and the city. It's a suburb that's been polished and developed over the last decade to become a hotspot for restaurants and bars, as well as the city's clubbing precinct.
The area exists between two main streets that run the length of the suburb – Brunswick street and James Street. The former is home to a range of cheap eats, noodle bars, jazz clubs and night clubs, while the latter (which runs parallel) has become a premier shopping and lifestyle precinct that encapsulates The Calile hotel, as well as an array of luxury boutiques and eats.
In between, you'll find plenty of gems though, so don't be scared to venture off into some of the side streets of the suburb – it's fairly easy to get around too, and there's usually some decent street parking available.
What's in the Fortitude Valley?
Fortitude Valley encompasses a LOT. There are tonnes of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops and hotels to pique your interest – but if you're looking for some recommendations, these are mine:
1. The Calile Hotel precinct
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The Calile is a boutique hotel on James Street that is huddled by a smattering of sauve and hatted restaurants – including its poolside Greek haven Hellenika. Downstairs though, you'll find a myriad of delightful spots like pink Italian enclave Bianca, its asian-fusion sister sAme sAme (which comes with my personal recommendation as the best place to wine and dine in the city), and its bougier neighbour across the driveway – SK Steak and Oyster (where you'll be treated to the stylings of jazz singers grand piano playing).
2. Black Bear Lodge
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A Brisbane staple, the Black Bear Lodge (found upstairs on the main drag of Brunswick Street Mall) is an icon of sorts. Home to some of the city's most incredible music selectors, it's the place to go for music players and enjoyers alike. Decked out in its hunting-lodge finery (wall-mounted moose heads and all), there are often gigs happening until 10pm on weekends, but you can usually find your way in without a cover charge after then. The drinks are excellent, the staff are simply the best, and the vibe is immaculate.
3. Ben's Burgers
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Ben's is the Valley's tiniest burger joint, but arguably its best. Serving up American-style brioche burgers, thick-cut chips and diner-style milkshakes, the menu is small but packs a serious punch. Located at the head of cosy Winn Lane, you can opt to eat in at one of their laneway tables, or they're on Uber Eats if you're looking for pick-up or delivery options too. The vanilla malt milkshake comes highly recommended.
4. The Fortitude Music Hall
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Powderfinger bassist John Collins' mega-watt music venue in the heart of Brunswick Street Mall has become a centrepiece for the musical goings-on of the suburb. It's 3,300 capacity venue has quickly become the venue of choice for international and Australian touring acts like Catfish and the Bottlemen, Hiatus Kaiyote, and JPEGMAFIA.
5. The QUIVR
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What started during COVID as a pint-sized laneway DJ booth that streamed online, has since become a stalwart of the electronic music scene in Brisbane. Now part-radio show, part-laneway bar, part-DJ booth, part-DJ school and agency, this pace tucked into the very back of Winn Lane is where you can grab a great cocktail, and listen to the city's best up-and-coming talent hit the decks.
6. Savile Row
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Hidden behind a nondescript orange door on Ann Street in the heart of the Valley is Savile Row, a suave speakeasy-style bar that lives over two levels. Decked out with opulent interiors inspired by the street in London's Mayfair, and a back bar of 1000 spirits lit by sparkling chandeliers, it's the place to go for a slick cocktail away from the bustle of the suburb.
7. Howard Smith Wharves
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On the far side of the valley, underneath the bright lights of the Storey Bridge, lives the Howard Smith Wharves precinct – a development that has firmly placed a number of new haunts on the Valley's map. Namely, Felon's Brewery is a must-go for a lively sunset beer overlooking the water (they also do great wood fired pizzas here), or you can head out over the water to Mr Percivals, a beautifully appointed roundhouse bar over the water with live DJs and cocktails aplenty.
8. Camargue
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When it comes to boutique shopping experiences, in my opinion, the go-to is Camargue on James Street. It carries so many incredible brands – from Acne Studios, Victoria Beckham, Dries Van Noten, MM6 Maison Margiela, Cecilie Bahnsen and La Mer to Kiwi and Aussie brands like Matteau, Wynn Hamlyn and Haulier. But outside of stocking a selection of amazing brands, their buyers have an impeccable eye for stocking each line's coolest and most interesting pieces.
