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As the population of Brisbane and its surroundings continues to explode, so too does a vibrant tapestry of lively entertainment and a thriving nightlife scene. Whilst the population of Brisbane may not be the magnitude of that in Sydney and Melbourne, the nightlife landscape has expanded significantly in the last decade to the dazzling cacophony of sights, sounds and tastes that it is today. The arts culture in Brisbane is flourishing in all its varieties, from international stage acts such as local international superstars 'Savage Garden' to a plethora of eateries and nightclubs catering for everything encompassed between lazy jazz to pulse altering dance. The easiest way to determine a course of action for the weekend is to check out the press on the street. Both Scene and Rave are free street magazines available in most music stores, cafes, bars and eateries around the city. Thursdays The Courier Mail includes the 'Whats On' section with a comprehensive listing of all events in and around Brisbane for the coming week. Local radio station B105 also has a community switchboard with heaps of entertainment information or check out the local tourist information centre. Transport to these locations is easily arranged by using Transinfo. Pubs and Bars Irish theme bars are the signature drinking venues of Brisbane. Located in the city and the suburbs, it is difficult to find yourself too far from one at any time, whether you are near the traditional Dooleys in the valley, the raucous Irish Murphys in the city centre or the jovial Dicey Reillys in the southern districts. For those who enjoy the atmosphere of a beer garden, The Victory and The Breakfast Creek Hotel are excellent places to vanquish a few cold ales and meet new people. Most pubs open around lunchtime and close around midnight or thereabouts on weekends. Recently renovated inner city bars have also acquired newfound popularity due to their classy, contemporary updates. Adrenalin Sports Bar is extremely stylish and The Port Office is a popular watering hole for Friday night after-work drinks amongst the corporate crowd. Live Music Fortitude Valley has become the hub of the rejuvenated Brisbane music scene. Rics Café presents up-and-coming local bands nightly and the nearby Empire Hotel provides an avenue for local DJs and bands to showcase their talents. The city itself also has many live music venues with Mary Street offering grunge bands downstairs and Fridays always has great cover bands playing the best rock of the nineties. Catering to other tastes are The Paddington Tavern with its support of Rhythm & Blues and The Transcontinental always delivers the best pop-rock hits of the eighties. Nightlife Brisbanes club scene has undergone a remarkable facelift in recent times and spreads from the classy Paddington pad along Caxton St through the city and into the dance heart of the Valley. The hippest of the shakers and movers will make their way towards the voguish Viva; latin lovers should check out Club Brazil and dance music pulsates all night for the younger groovers at City Rowers. The Caxton Street strip exhibits a musical mosaic as Casablancas flaunts sweet soul tunes, opposite Hotel L.As contagious pop-dance culture. Further down the street at its namesake, the Caxton Hotel is never shy with its twenty-something, crowd supporting renditions of the eighties and nineties best pop. Gay & Lesbian Whilst Brisbanes gay and lesbian community is not extremely large, it is extraordinarily tight knit. Not that they don't embrace foreign guests, but Brisbanes cultural tolerance is slightly less progressive than its southern counterparts. Options, in Spring Hill, is widely renowned as the lesbian venue of Brisbane, with male entry to the club prohibited. If the Fortitude Valley is the home of the gay community, then The Wickham Hotel is its headquarters. Its breezy atmosphere almost conflicts with its non-stop, electronically stimulated beat and is seconded by The Beat as the premier gay nightlife venue. Theatre & Cinema Searching for a satisfying stage or screen sensation is solved simply in this city of sights. The Lyric Theatre and Performing Arts Complex are components of Brisbanes theatre scene and provide the curtain for many international acts, however the musty, in-the-round La Boite theatre and royal Princess Theatre offer smaller stage exhibitions all year round. The Expressions Dance Companyand Queensland Ballet among others, also offer seasonal shows. Brisbane hosts a menagerie of cinema megaplexes, such as the Garden City Megaplex, but also provides diversity for those with more independent and artistic tastes at The Classic and The Dendy. The IMAX theatre at South Bank encapsulates its audiences with mind-boggling 3D visions and amazing films with heart-stopping cinematography. Concerts & Events Brisbane hosts many internationally recognised events each year. The Brisbane International Film Festival is one of the more prestigious events, along with the annual State of Origin series between Queensland and New South Wales. Youth and alternative culture is celebrated yearly at both the Livid Festival and Big Day Out, where some of the worlds most spectacular alternative musical acts converge for an intense day of raging music. The Royal Queensland Show, fondly referred to by locals as the 'Ekka', is a ten day carnival at the Royal Exhibition Showgrounds and provides an excellent opportunity for a family day out. Never to be outdone by its southern opponents, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Festival Hall present local and international musical acts in concert throughout the year. Brisbane is a city that slips easily from lazy days to nocturnal fun, with a casual, cosmopolitan nightlife that it prides itself on. |
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