Brisbane
Entertainment

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As the population of Brisbane continues to explode, so too does a vibrant tapestry of lively entertainment. While the population of Brisbane may not be the magnitude of that in Sydney and Melbourne, the nightlife scene has expanded significantly in the last decade. The arts culture in Brisbane is flourishing in all its varieties, from international stage acts to a plethora of eateries and nightclubs encompassing everything from lazy jazz to pulse altering dance.

Pubs & Bars

Irish theme bars are a signature of Brisbane. It is difficult to find yourself too far from an Irish bar, whether you are near the traditional Dooleys Hotel in the Valley, the raucous Irish Murphy's downtown, or the jovial Dicey Reilly's in the southern districts. For those who enjoy the atmosphere of a beer garden, Victory Hotel and 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.

Renovated inner city bars have acquired newfound popularity due to their new classy looks. The Port Office Hotel is a popular watering hole amongst the corporate crowd for Friday night after-work drinks.

Live Music

Fortitude Valley has become the hub of the rejuvenated Brisbane music scene. Ric's Cafe 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 boasts many live music venues with Fridays presenting great rock cover bands.

Catering to other tastes are Paddington Tavern, supporting rhythm & blues, and the Transcontinental, delivering the best of retro pop-rock from the '80s.

Nightlife

Brisbane's club scene has undergone a remarkable facelift in recent times and spreads from the classy Paddington district, along Caxton Street, through the city and into the dance heart of the Valley. Dance music pulsates all night for the younger crowd at City Rowers.

The Caxton Street strip exhibits a musical mosaic with Casablanca's flaunting sweet soul tunes opposite Hotel L.A.'s contagious pop-dance. Further down the street, the Caxton Hotel is never shy with its 20-something crowd supporting renditions of '80s and '90s pop classics.

Theater & Cinema

Searching for a satisfying stage or screen sensation is simple in this city. The Lyric Theatre is a major component of Brisbane's theater scene. While they provide the curtain for many international acts, the musty, hip La Boite theater and royal Princess Theatre offer smaller stage exhibitions all year round. Expressions Dance Company and Ballet, among others, also offer seasonal shows.

Brisbane is host to a menagerie of cinema megaplexes, such as the City Megaplex. However, there is also plenty for those with more independent and artistic tastes at the Classic Cinema and the Dendy Cinema.

Concerts & Events

Many internationally recognized, annual events use Brisbane as their stage. The Brisbane International Film Festival is one of the more prestigious events. Youth and alternative culture is celebrated yearly at Big Day Out, where some of the world's most spectacular alternative musical acts converge for an intense day of raging music. Also, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre presents local and international musical acts in concert throughout the year.

Brisbane is a city that slips easily from lazy days to nocturnal fun, offering a casual, yet cosmopolitan, nightlife adventure.