I remember how much hype there was behind this bars opening,…read morebut I was mostly excited for Brisbane to have another alternative music venue in the Valley. Woodland's is a bar/venue run by the owner of the Outpost so you know it will have that indie flair. The decor is pretty, with woodland paintings behind the stage (and in one instance a giant dinosaur in honour of the Velociraptors show.) ...The 1000000 stairs leading up to the club however, frankly terrify me when sober and turn into a bit of a mission after 2am. The acoustics can also get pretty terrible, you have to be prepared for minor hearing loss as your friend's communication methods resort to a mixture of YELLING LOUDLY into eardrums and hand signals. That being said I've been pretty impressed by the number of really good gigs I've seen here and the effort the club put's into the promotion. (some of the club posters are real works of art.) Some nights are free before 10pm but can be $5-20 depending on who's playing. Don't forget to say hello to the fabulous doorman/resident coolguy Miguel and enjoy your night in the Wood!

Wanna dance, but sick of Ric's (gasp!)? Want to see some interesting live music? Want to linger…read morearound at the end of an alley smoking with your friends? Woodland is your man! Not even two years old, Woodland has quickly become the hang-out of choice for the Valley's indie scene. When the Depot died, they headed to 299, when 299 died they headed to ennui, and now Woodland has come to save the day. Although the cover can sometimes be rather too much, once you're in you're guaranteed to have a long-lasting good time. Woodland is basically a big warehouse type room upstairs behind the Mustang Bar. You have to go a block back from the street and down an alley to get there, but if you just follow the cool kids you should find it with no trouble because these days it's definitely the place to be. I can count on waaaay too many hands the amount of times I've lurched down Woodland's back staircase in early daylight when I was meant to be 'just going for a few songs'. But if that's not a good indicator of a fun venue, I don't know what it. One of the best things about Woodland is that you never quite know what you're going to get, but you can bet that it'll almost always involve a lot of dancing and a lot of drinking!

This place is nothing short of awesome, but a part of that probably has a lot to do with it being a…read morelive music venue. In fact, from a quick glance around the place (and based on my limited knowledge of The Valley) this literally appears to be 'the' live music venue in the Valley. Okay, when I was there, the band room was closed, but that probably had something to do with it being midday. However, the beer garden down the side was awesome, and not only that but they also had a great range of beers. This is certainly a placed I'd want to return to.

Good live music venues are one in a million and The Triffid is definitely heading up that category…read morein Brisbane. I headed there for the Secret Sounds Big Sound Launch Party and the venue was filled with industry and music lovers. I was impressed with the management of queues with that many people there. I easily grabbed a drinks, which is hard at any bush music venue, let alone one filled with a room filled with about to embark on a week long live music party. They had an inhouse food truck and my veggie nachos were bloody delicious. We went inside to watch the bands and I was wowed by the hanger the stage is held in. The acoustics were perfect and while it was busy, you could move easily. Getting drinks inside the live room was just as easy. The bar staff were quick which was a relief as I wanted to concentrate on the music rather than lining up. I didn't realise how diverse the venue was. It seems they have live music in the garden regularly, and after a great time last night, I'll be back.

The Beetle Bar, is not the first place Brisbane residents think of when considering local music…read morevenues which is a real shame. I believe this is mainly due to the location and possibly the marketing. This seems to be changing as I am seeing more gigs being advertised at this place. From the exterior, the Beetle Bar looks very intrguing as their is a large beetle/lady-bug car stationed on the roof. The place is decorated in a 'bug theme' with lady bugs painted on the floor which is pretty quirky and cute. There is a large sized bar that offers your standard bar drinks -basic spirits and Aussie beers- at reasonable prices. What's not to love! Most importantly, the place has a decently sized stage large enough for bands to move and get jiggy while they are performing. The floor area is also spacious enough to fit a large crowd. For busier nights, an upstairs area will be opened allowing lots of people to dance and be merry. I have been to numerous gigs for local bands here and am usually very satisfied by the end of the night. It is a great place to be social and enjoy live music.

It was probably last year sometime that a few mates in bands starting telling me their next gig was…read moreat the Beetle Bar. "Where's that?" I'd say. "Oh, it's in that line of backpackers just up from Roma Street." Out of curiosity I went there. That area was a cultural dead zone to me (despite being filled with backpackers). After those first skeptical moments, I realised that a seriously decent venue had cropped out outside of the Valley and West End, but close enough to both to be considered in a fairly extensive pub crawl. The best part is that it houses killer local punk and rock gigs for dirt cheap. If you like your rock, your punk, rockabilly and psychobilly, you'll be needing to hit up the Beetle Bar. HITS, 6FT Hick, Shrewms, Main Street Brats, Big Bongin' Baby, Flangipanis have all been found up on their stage and will be again. This is not your pristine princess parlour. There's fur on the walls, and it's got a gnarly paint job. It's just a cool, grungy pad to get your drink on in while catching a local band. Support the venue that supports the local music scene. Make the effort to head out to the Beetle Bar, if for no other reason than it'll mean you'll have a night not spent in the Valley or West End.

I was actually heading to salsa at Casablanca when the flags of my two favorite states (Arkansas…read moreand Tennessee) caught my eye across the street. I ventured in to have a sneak peek. Unfortunately I had just missed the live music so I will have to go again but the vibe made me feel like I had been transported back down South. I really liked the red interior, booths, and chandeliers. I am a bit confused by the stuffed monkey on the stage though... Will be able to give a better review next time when I grab a drink off the menu! Will share if the drinks are as good as they make them in the South.

Hey, Lefty's! I'm feeling what you're putting down. You're so cool and yet you probably don't even…read morerealise it. Well played, Sir, well played. We were set to see a movie at The Barracks across the road from Caxton Street and rather than dine at any number of the respectable choices in the Barracks centre, I made a beeline for Lefty's. Arriving just before 6 I was the sole punter in this seriously brooding and sexy bar. Would it seem out of place to see Saloon girls do the can can atop the higher level balcony? Probably not. I approached the bar and asked the bar keep what their house drink was. "Whiskey and apple," he said tossing a Granny Smith apple in his hand. Yeah, not just apple juice from a bottle but freshly squeezed, baby. I was all prepped to order said drink when he let slip it also goes well with Gin. You, mister, are good. "I'll take a gin and apple, thanks!" My dining partner arrived and we settled each on having their interpretation of the cheeseburger. Be warned: unless you are ravenous, you'll easily be able to share this between two. We didn't realise this and I tapped out long before I could claim my plate of fries and burger complete. Still, it was delicious and for $12 it's an affordable take on "pub grub." This place already had some serious swagger at 6pm on a Wednesday night, I can only imagine (and look forward to seeing it) in full swing on a Friday or Saturday eve.

Great cafe/record store/bar/live music venue in Fortitude Valley…read more Have only checked out cafe/record store part so far but keen to head to a live gig soon too. Cafe serves Blackstar Coffee and light breakfast menu. As its a record store, you just know the tunes are going to be great too. Take a load off on the couches or chat with friends over a drink before browsing the vinyls and band t-shirts. Turns into a bar in the evening. Really friendly, chatty staff- lovely vibe! Get along and check it out.

Came here as part of the media/ industry launch night and left very impressed. As you enter there…read moreis a old fashioned red telephone box and staircase that leads to the main room. The main room has a stage at one end and a bar at the other with the classy 'Foundry' lit sign above. In between are large high tables and high chairs which make it great for groups. Near the bar is a pinball machine and arcade game which is pretty cool and there is an outside area as well as a balcony smoking area. The whole place had a very cosy, hipster vibe and they played excellent music. Servers were friendly and drinks were made well. This place is definitely going to be popular so I recommend you come and check it out! Great drinks, great atmosphere and great live music, what more do you want?

Death Valley opened a few weeks ago much to the excitement and enjoyment of the locals. The bar…read moreinside is a dimly lit room with a bar along one side. It's a work in progress as it's not finished, but regardless of the simple decor its got a funky vibe. The outside deck has a food truck docking bay where the Red Robin supper truck was parked. It's a great concept for a bar, put a loading bay where any food truck can drive into and then serve food. I'm assuming different trucks will be there at times but at this stage it's just the Red Robin. There are hay bales and milk crates to cater for those who can't get a seat at one of the tables. There is a great selection of beers on top including Sierra Nevada and a Watermelon from goatbeer. It's already getting a cult following from the Morningside locals. Definitely worth a visit!

Death Valley is our regular haunt, and I love it! The Red Robin supper truck out back serves hardy,…read moremodern, bar style food with flare. The chef accommodates to us non-meat eaters with grace, and the menu changes weekly. The bar out front serves local tap beers, and it is always served with a smile! Tip: this place is dog friendly!

Before the Queensland Museum moved to the cultural precinct at South Brisbane, it called the Old…read moreMuseum it's home from 1899 until 1986. It was designed by George Henry Male Addison and was built in 1891 after the original building that stood there was destroyed by the fires of 1888. It is if you ask me, one of the most beautiful and opulent landmarks of inner city Brisbane. The Old Museum stands out like a glimmer of hope in the midst of a concrete jungle. The modern and renovated Royal Brisbane Hospital is just over the bridge, the Ekka showgrounds are just underneath it, and the more industrial zone of Bowen Hills is directly behind it. If you stand back and take in the entire landscape, it becomes easy to see how far Brisbane has changed through the ages. Quite frankly, I like the Old Brisbane better than the new one if the Old Museum and other heritage listed buildings of her kind are anything to go by. The Old Museum is now a venue for a multitude of events. The Finders Keepers markets are held there biannually, international and local musicians play there frequently (Amanda Palmer! Beth Orton!), travelling showcase events like the Bohemian Masquerade Ball have held their Brisbane leg of the tour there, and the Burlesque Bombshell Academy holds burlesque dancing workshops there. Holy dooley. The Queensland National Ballet, Queensland Police Pipes and Drums, Queensland Youth Choir and Zen Zen Zo Phyiscal Theatre are all tenants of the Old Museum too. Even though there's a seemingly endless line of groups and people in and out of there all the time, you can hire the venue space. There's a lot of information on the website, and it appears that all you have to do is write them a proposal of what you'd like to do there, and when, and they'll decide yay or nay and get back to you. When I was a little kid, my mum took me for a picnic on the grounds of the Old Museum. With all of my traditional girly notions still intact, I told her I wanted to get married there one day. Apparently I got very excited about the whole idea, and when she told me it had closed down and I couldn't have my wedding there, I wailed. Well, look, some 20 years later, and the dream place of my nuptials is a venue for hire. Now all that's left is for me to find that poor bastard who'd put up with me 'forever more'.

Although I am relatively new to the Brisbane scene, it wasn't long…read morebefore I found out about the charming and handsome Old Museum. Character literally flakes off these old beams and floorboards, this space provides a truly beautiful and intimate setting. Not just a pretty face the Old Museum has played host to myriad events. This old gal has seen everything from Amanda Palmer, Designer Markets and the QLD youth choir being staged beneath her red brick arches. My favourite event here has to be the Finders Keepers markets, the old halls are perfect for this vintage themed event and the gardens make for a kickass concert space/picnic area. (Perfect for those languid summer afternoons and eve's I recommend grabbing some friends and heaving a picnic basket to the lawn.)

If you didn't know this place was here, I doubt you would find it. And that's part of the appeal…read more Walk into the very unassuming doorway under the simply lit "BAR" sign, wander down the dimly lit stairway, and all of a sudden, you're in a whole different country. Brooklyn Standard is a very cozy underground bar, themed (as per the name) in a very American way. Having just come back from a 3 week holiday in America, this place just totally appealed to us in just the right way :) It has a very casual feel to the place, and you can easily sit at the bar, or hideaway in a booth. They've got a good selection of beers including our personal favourite American Beer - Blue Moon. Some on tap, some in bottles. They've also got a very interesting selection of cocktails, one that even includes root beer, which is absolutely delicious! To make things even better, they have live music every night from about 7.30pm, and serve free pretzels. Beers are about $8.50, cocktails range from $14-$16. Note though, and this has also been mentioned in other reviews - those pretzels are the only food that you will find here. This is purely a drinks and cocktails bar. Still, I rate this 5 out of 5, and will definitely be back.

What better location to stay out a looming storm than a bar that instantly feels like everyone…read moremight know your name? Brooklyn Standard is classier than Coyote Ugly but not the type of place to have an exclusive guest list, this "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" venue gives the CBD a cool and classic bar to enjoy a few brews (or cocktails) with a live band playing. It's frills and whistles are few but, you know, when you're the cool kid you just are. You don't need to do a song and dance about it. And that's Brooklyn Standard. It was a grand spot to catch up with a girlfriend and we enjoyed table service. There is no food menu - it's a bar in the truest sense and the most you'll get to devour is a bowl of tasty pretzels. Between her beers, my one cocktail and a cider we left satisfied and surprisingly not a lot poorer. The prices are reasonable and not about to skin your purse alive. The underground cavern is cosy and there's table & chair dining or booths for the more romantic gestures. Of course, it's early days but I can't wait to return. It's the friend you don't have to pretend around - you can just be yourself.