It’s the birthplace of Powderfinger, The Saints, Violent Soho, Ball Park Music and the Go-Betweens, and Brisbane can stand proud with these big-time music names as having some of the best live music venues in Australia. The city is also host to BigSOUND, a major countrywide industry event, showcasing its rising talent.

From punk-rock dive bars to heritage-listed theatres, there’s charm and character just dripping from the corners of these fine live music establishments. If you came to town wanting more than the pizza and beer in front of you, be sure to put one of these banging entertainment venues on your hit list:

The Brightside, 27 Warner St, Fortitude Valley

Cloaked in black paint with a smattering of punk rock symbology, the Valley’s favourite little alternative church is a much-loved live music venue in Brisbane. A former Presbyterian church on Warner Street, this iconic venue has changed its spots over the years as the former Electric Playground, Planet Nightclub and Mystique, but as Brightside it serves as a thriving night hangout for both big-ticket touring acts, and local bands giving it a crack. They recently held a comp to score a spot at this year’s Good Times Festival, which has seen international acts such as The Offspring and Deftones.

Played here: Fat Dog and the Tits. Coming up: Sons of the East.

Greaser, 259 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley 

Down an alley and deep in the cracks of Fortitude Valley, Greaser is a subterranean bar with retro-American cool in the underbelly of The Prince Consort. With heritage brick archways and old-school graffiti-covered walls, Greaser is one of Brisbane’s original underground cellars; has cheeseburgers to rival California’s best; and live music from rockabilly to blues and rock’n’roll. It’s whiskey-soaked and cheeky-fun, and the musos on stage which will have you grinning and woo-ing all night.

Played here: Waxflower, Harry J Hart, Buttermello and Loose Goose. Coming up: Aurora.

Tomcat, Level 1/210 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley

This poster-lined dive bar will play under-18 shows, which is rare in this money-driven concrete playground, and they also look after local bands by letting them play late shows. Taking up the top floor of a graffiti-covered historic building, Tomcat was once an illegal Chinese gambling house, and has all the hallmarks of a bootlegger’s paradise, tucked away from the busy inner-city trappings, and offering up loads of cosy corners, plush seating, a vintage-style cocktail bar, pool room, and hidden entrance.

Played here: The Splints. Coming up: Loose Ends.

The Outpost, 320 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Inside The Fortitude Music Hall, is the city’s newest 300-capacity multipurpose venue, with an impressive program of artists, carefully-curated drinks menu, and a 3am licence. The Outpost’s legacy stems from a Brisbane dive bar of the same name, which was an integral part of the vibrant underworld and celebrates its rich musical history, from the late-70s post-punk era. With its own private stage and AV system, you can relax with a whiskey sour in one of the luxurious booths, while watching a sensational live show.

Played here: Gretta Ray and The Lemon Twigs. Coming up: The Weeknd and Wallis Bird.

Black Bear Lodge, 1/322 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

If you’re a music hunter of Brisbane, there’s a good chance you’ve seen plenty of acts in this dimly-lit, intimate space atop coffee shop institution, Cosmopolitan Cafe, on Brunswick Street Mall. This music destination is renowned for letting indie bands looking to sink their teeth into the live music scene have a shot in front of a happy crowd.

Played here: The Preatures and Courtney Barnett. Coming up: Salt Tree.

The Prince Consort, 230 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley

If only the walls could talk at this heritage-listed landmark, which has seen its fair share of patrons since 1888. Now reinvigorated to its former glory, this impeccable English pub oozes sophistication and opulence, and does a fabulous job entertaining the Valley’s bourgeoisie. With a Cluedo-board layout of nooks to hire such as The Bowie Rooms, The Back Room, and The Pool Room, this place also features gloriously-restored expansive bay windows, and an open-air oasis brimming with botanicals for sun-soaked afternoon live music sessions.

Played here: Ryan Nak. Coming up: Aurora.

The Sound Garden, 312-318 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley 

Often bringing in touring artists from across Australia, this giant indoor beer garden with sky-high ceilings, has an impressive seven-metre-tall tree at its core. Sitting directly next door to The Fortitude Music Hall, the two-story atrium bar also features a grand staircase, skylight ceiling, multiple bars, and alfresco eating options. There’s cosy booths and couches on each level, and live bands play music of all genres from jazz and blues to rock’n’roll.

Played here: Daryl James and Afroboy.

Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar, 678 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley  

Do you like Pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain? This tiki-inspired, New Yorker-style bar serves up tropical cocktails, cracking live music and legendary good times. Through a retro fridge door directly off Ann Street this place entertains Sailor Jerry-soaked punters with music from a vast range of artists, including blues, funk and rock’n’roll to country and funk. Suzie’s will have you feeling like you’ve just meandered off a Waikiki beach and into a temple of grungy, surf rock grooves.

Played here: West Texas Crude and Phat Sauce.

Brooklyn Standard, Eagle Lane, Brisbane City

This dim-lit brick cellar bar is accessed by a secret laneway door located on Eagle Lane, with musicians playing nightly to an eclectic crowd. And while it touts itself as a “party bar”, this College-style, inner-city crowd pleaser is no cheesy has-been, snapping up Australian Bar Awards’ Best Live Music Venue 2015, 2019 and 2021 – wow! Bands of all genres rock the house down nightly here from funk, soul and rock bands, to mariachi, rockabilly and RnB, and there’s American food and beverages to keep you energised as you get loose with your besties. Take your pick from the low-set tables and wooden booths, or leave one hand leaning on the bar as you soak up some great home-grown talent.

Played here: The Drunken Midnight Choir.

Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, 15 Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace

This charming, open-air, Americana-style hall is filled to the brim with old-timey decor, tucked away on Caxton Street and within the historic Baroona Labor Hall. The minute you enter the vintage, saloon-style bar, you’re enveloped by a sea of vibrant scarlet hues, with fabric-draped ceilings, mounted deer heads and a mezzanine. Dance under the crimson lights and let the region’s best live bands serenade you with an incredible selection of hand-picked acts from folk, blues and alternative styles. You’ll even find memories of the former strip club etched in the walk way. But racing hearts and tapping toes need fuel too: the country-style dishes here are a must. Look out for the secret, maritime-themed drinking den, The Mermaid Lounge.

Played here: Petric. Coming up: Tim Freedman & Ollie Thorpe.

The Triffid, 7/9 Stratton St, Newstead 

The Triffid is owned and operated by Powderfinger bassist John Collins, and is an iconic live music venue in Brisbane, offering state-of-the-art sound and an epic beer garden for that pre-gig drink. This Newstead gig space has modified a former WWII aircraft hangar into a prime entertainment venue with the best possible audio experience for its 800-strong audience. There’s plenty of free gigs thanks to the ongoing Sunday Sessions. Catch a glimpse of Brisbane’s seriously impressive live music scene here.

Played here: Anthony Brand, Beddy Rays, The Whitlams and Butterfingers. Coming up: You Am I and Josh Pike.

O’Skulligans, 105/38 Warner St, Fortitude Valley

It’s the Halloween version of an Irish bar and it’s dark, loud and loose. A sister bar to The Brightside, this rock’n’roll lounge bar offers pre-parties to major touring live music acts and is an excellent place to meet your friend before losing yourself to the night.

Played here: The Grogans. Coming up: The Valery Trails.

The Zoo, 711 Ann St, Fortitude Valley 

The home of live music since 1992, The Zoo is a female-run venue built from the ground up and nurtured by Brisbane’s solid music base. Built in the 1920s, The Zoo was originally designed with four, first-floor residential apartments in mind. Except, they were never built, and instead a large warehouse space opened up opportunities for touring and local acts, and became a much-needed, independently-owned venue. Grab a tasty Zoo-preme pizza, and catch one of the hottest new acts in town by default, here.

Played here: The Pixies, The Black Keys, Paul Kelly, Nick Cave and Lorde. Coming up: Sea Girls and Kit Alexander.

The Tivoli, 52 Costin Street, Fortitude Valley

This art-deco accented music institution has long been considered one of the best live music venues in Brisbane, playing host to both major and up-and-coming acts. There’s a purpose-built performance stage, integrated lighting, excellent sound systems, multiple bars, and a commercial kitchen. Anyone who has been to see a band at The Tiv, will have memories carving up the plush carpet (which was recently updated), and enjoying epic singalongs in the exquisite powder rooms.

Played here: Katy Perry, Bob Dylan, Xavier Rudd and The Cap Empire. Coming up: Pennywise, Milky Chance and The Chats.

The Princess Theatre, 8 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba 

This gorgeous heritage-listed beauty reigns as Queensland’s oldest standing theatre, originally opening for flicks in 1888. It’s shapeshifted through business owners, even acting as a church, before transforming in 2021 into the impeccable live music venue it is today, thanks to the team behind The Tivoli. Following meticulous and faithful restorations, The Princess boasts a state-of-the-art performance auditorium designed for a standing capacity of 900 and a seated theatre capacity of 500. It also features four bars, a public cafe, private event spaces, a rehearsal room and an outdoor courtyard.

Bands tell us they love playing gigs here, especially because the green room is as exquisite as the rest, with the friendliest staff to boot.

Played here: Cosmic Pyschos. Coming up: Sepultura and Wilco.

It’s Still A Secret, 48 Montague Rd, South Brisbane 

This retro-inspired, disco-drinking den – complete with conversation pit and cosy lounge room – has pops of garish colours and all the gorgeous vintage finds you’d find in a 70s rumpus room. Perched facing the iconic Paul’s Milk Factory, there’s macrame, striped furniture, astro turf, uber cute patio furniture, and an outdoor beer garden which welcomes pooches. These guys take local bands under their wings.

Played here: Jack Raymond, Andrea Kirwin and The Vampires.

The Bearded Lady, 138 Boundary St, West End

Known fondly to the locals as “The Beardo”, this independent bar and live music venue is all about the family, providing a safe space for creative of all mediums to explore their talents. Open five days a week, it’s the epitome of the bearded-hipster’s hangout joint oozing vintage charm, and offering an array of live music, yummy food, and beer flowing from pipes. It’s also BYO food here, so pack a picnic!

Played here: The Fortitudes. Coming up: Pretty Moi and Sylvie.

Doo-Bop Bar, 101 Edward St, Brisbane City

This multi-level music house comes alive Tuesday to Saturday, bringing world-class jazz, blues, funk and soul to the Brisbane underground, inside a historic character-filled building. The fabulous Piano Bar on the ground level, comes complete with its own 1955 refurbished grand piano, and is where you’ll find internationally-acclaimed pianists performing from 6pm. There’s jazz focused, art-deco adorning the walls and coloured lighting. The cocktails are superb and the sing-a-long vibe is awesome. In the Basement Bar you’ll find big wooden beams and exposed brick walls from the original Youngs Building warehouse precinct. Downstairs is where the party erupts, and the music magic gets punters off the lounges, and onto the dance floor.

Played here: Mental As Anything, Clare Cowley and The SunBears. Coming up: Spencer Chester.

Bad Luck, 693 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

With immersive psychedelic decor, a custom stage, and sweet lighting, Bad Luck opened to fill the heavy-music void that Crowbar left, and is a quintessential dive bar where the head-bangers get messy. There’s music every night of the week at this dedicated alt-rock, 350-person capacity spot which is centrally located, making it perfect for touring acts. Expect punk, metal, stoner, emo and ska bands, as well as DJ sets and after parties.

Played here: Vinted Vineer. Coming up: Apes of the State and Munk.

Riverstage, 59 Gardens Point Rd, Brisbane City

It wouldn’t be a best-of list without Brisbane’s best outdoor live music asset, which hosts major artists and some of Brisbane’s biggest festivals, in the heart of Brisbane’s Botanical Garden. This place can fit 10,000 punter on two hectares of open space, making it popular for major events such as the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols.

Played here: Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Chemical Brothers and Ziggy Alberts. Coming up: The Teskey Brothers and Jack Johnson.

Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point, 1 Annie St, Kangaroo Point 

Upstream from the Story Bridge Hotel, and perched on the Brisbane River, sits this 50-year-old riverside icon which boasts picturesque views across to the city. Devoted to the city’s jazzophiles, the club itself is a not-for-profit enterprise run by a self-described “fanatically dedicated” committee group. There is also a free ferry next to the club which operates every 15 minutes, cruising between the venue and Eagle Street.

Played here: Melissa Western. Coming up: Dami Im.