Brisbane

Emporium Hotel South Bank

Brisbane's premier luxury boutique hotel overlooking South Bank parklands, a short walk from Suncorp Stadium. Its rooftop infinity pool and cocktail bar offer skyline views, making it a top choice for VIP fans and visiting athletes.

Next Hotel Brisbane

Sleek modern hotel in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall precinct with a rooftop pool and skyline views. Its central position makes it a convenient launch pad for fans heading to The Gabba or Suncorp Stadium.

Ovolo The Valley

Art-forward boutique hotel in Fortitude Valley with complimentary minibars and bold designer interiors. Music fans attending shows at The Tivoli or sports fans heading to Suncorp Stadium love the walkable nightlife precinct and free happy hour for guests.

The Calile Hotel

Brisbane's most talked-about hotel on James Street in Fortitude Valley, featuring a resort-style pool and striking modernist architecture. Its trendy neighbourhood location and rooftop bar make it the stylish choice for fans visiting Brisbane for cricket, AFL, or rugby events.

Where to Eat in Brisbane

1889 Enoteca

Acclaimed Italian restaurant in Woolloongabba, just steps from The Gabba cricket ground. Its handmade pasta and curated wine list make it a favourite for pre-match fine dining among visiting cricket fans and local rugby league supporters.

Eat Street Northshore

Vibrant waterfront dining precinct housed in repurposed shipping containers, offering cuisines from around the world. Located on the Brisbane River, it is a fun pre-game destination for fans heading to The Gabba or Suncorp Stadium.

Eat Street Northshore Markets

A spectacular riverside food market in shipping containers drawing Brisbane sports fans before and after events at nearby Suncorp Stadium. Over 180 vendors serve cuisine from every corner of the world alongside local Queensland produce. The Friday and Saturday night markets have live music and a party atmosphere perfect for fan groups.

Gauge

Acclaimed modern Australian restaurant on Fish Lane in South Brisbane offering inventive tasting menus with native Australian ingredients. Its location in Brisbane's hippest dining precinct makes it a top choice for food-savvy fans attending events at the nearby Gabba.

Happy Boy

A vibrant modern Chinese restaurant in Fortitude Valley dishing out crispy eggplant and hand-pulled noodles. Gabba cricket fans and concert-goers from nearby venues pour in for late-night feeds after big events.

Hellenika

Modern Greek restaurant at Howard Smith Wharves beneath the Story Bridge, serving whole grilled fish and share plates in a stunning riverside setting. Broncos and Lions fans gather here before and after events at the nearby Gabba and Suncorp Stadium.

Best Bars in Brisbane

Archive Beer Boutique

West End craft beer institution with over 300 beers in a heritage-listed building, featuring rare Australian and international selections. Broncos fans and Gabba-bound cricket supporters gather here for pre-match schooners and one of Brisbane's most impressive tap lists.

Brisbane Brewing Co.

A West End brewpub crafting small-batch ales in a converted warehouse with a laid-back beer garden. Rugby and AFL fans gather here on game days to sample seasonal brews and swap predictions before heading to the Gabba.

Felons Brewing Co.

Brisbane's favourite waterfront brewery at Howard Smith Wharves, pouring fresh craft beer with panoramic views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Its laid-back vibe and massive outdoor seating make it the ultimate pre-match gathering spot on game days.

The Caxton Hotel

The Caxton Hotel in Petrie Terrace is Brisbane's most famous sporting pub and the undisputed headquarters for Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons fans. Multiple bars, big screens throughout, and a massive beer garden create an electric atmosphere on match days. The pub has been serving fans for over a century, and its walls carry the photographic evidence of every great Broncos era.

The Fanatics Sports Bar

Brisbane's largest sports bar with over 40 screens showing every major live sporting event. NRL State of Origin nights sell out weeks in advance and the Queensland Maroons spirit is palpable from the moment you walk in. The bar stocks an impressive selection of Queensland craft beers alongside the match-day favorites.

The Fox Hotel

South Brisbane institution with multiple bars, a rooftop terrace, and a dedicated sports bar screening every major event. Walking distance to Suncorp Stadium, it is the unofficial meeting point for State of Origin fans and concert-goers.

The Gresham

Housed in a beautifully restored 1889 heritage building in Brisbane's CBD, The Gresham is the city's finest whisky bar and a magnet for Gabba cricket fans looking to toast a good innings. With over 400 whiskies and a serious selection of local craft beers, it's the ideal post-match destination after a Brisbane Lions AFL game or an international cricket Test. The wood-panelled interior and velvet bar stools have hosted fans from Sheffield to Sydney.

The Wickham

Iconic Fortitude Valley pub with a breezy rooftop bar and live music venue downstairs. Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Reds fans flock here post-match for craft cocktails and a vibrant weekend atmosphere.

Fan Attractions in Brisbane

Brisbane Riverwalk Fan Trail

The Brisbane Riverwalk connects the CBD to multiple sporting precincts including The Gabba, Suncorp Stadium, and the Queensland Tennis Centre. On event days the boardwalk transforms into a river of fans dressed in team colours. The route passes riverside bars and food stalls perfect for pre-match grazing.

Fortitude Music Hall

Fortitude Music Hall in the Valley is Brisbane's premier live music venue, hosting major touring acts and beloved local bands across multiple rooms. Music fans visiting for the Brisbane leg of international tours make this their first stop, and the rooftop bar offers skyline views perfect for pre-show drinks. The venue's commitment to live sound quality has made it the benchmark for the Queensland music scene.

Fortitude Valley Entertainment Precinct

The Valley, as locals call it, is Brisbane's after-dark fan hub with dozens of bars screening live sport from around the world. On NRL and cricket weekends the streets fill with supporters and the noise level rivals the stadium. The Fan Alley strip on Brunswick Street is the epicenter of post-match celebrations.

Howard Smith Wharves

Brisbane's stunning riverside dining and bar precinct beneath the Story Bridge buzzes on game nights with fans spilling out from Felons and Mr. Percival's.

Queensland Cricket Museum

Located within The Gabba, the Queensland Cricket Museum houses a remarkable collection of bats, caps, and trophies from Australia's cricketing history. The museum chronicles Queensland's journey from perennial Sheffield Shield underperformers to dominant champions. Fans can handle replica equipment and test their knowledge in interactive cricket trivia stations.

South Bank Parklands Experience

Relax at Brisbane's inner-city beach and lagoon at South Bank Parklands, built on the former World Expo 88 site along the Brisbane River. The precinct includes the Queensland Cultural Centre with GOMA and the State Library, the Wheel of Brisbane, and a vibrant string of restaurants and bars perfect for pre-event gathering.

Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane's premier stadium, known for its incredible atmosphere during State of Origin rugby league matches. The Cauldron roar when Queensland scores against NSW is one of sport's most spine-tingling sounds. The Fan Experience Zone outside the stadium opens three hours before kickoff with live music and activities.

Suncorp Stadium Tour

Consistently voted Australia's best stadium, Suncorp Stadium is a 52,500-seat fortress that turns into a cauldron of noise during NRL Queensland Origins and Wallabies Tests. Tours of the Lady Cilento Drive venue include the players' tunnel, dressing rooms, and the media center. The stadium's compact design means every seat feels close to the action — something Brisbane fans never take for granted.

The Gabba (Brisbane Cricket Ground)

Where Ashes series traditionally begin, the Gabba is one of cricket's most storied venues and a fortress for Australia's fast bowlers. The Members Stand has a distinctly Queensland character, with Queenslanders wearing their state colors with fierce pride. The local Castlemaine XXXX beer is the unofficial drink of the ground.