I wish I could enlarge the font so you'd really get the tone I'm using when I say I F**KING LOVE…read moreTHE WAITING ROOM. It's this kind of place that is the reason West End has a reputation for being community minded. It is a DIY music space that is open for local musicians to use for recording, rehearsing and playing gigs. It also opens it's doors to visual artists as well. If you're looking for a place to exhibit your work, look no further! You can also hold workshops there. Hell, let's put it this way, if you're a musician or artist and you've got an idea but need some space to do it, you may as well send these guys an email. It's thewaitingroombrisbane@gmail.com I always like to wander past The Waiting Room on the weekends- there's usually something good happening there. The space is awesome too. It's an old Queenslander that has been tangled up with blue and yellow fairy lights. Depending on what's going on, people usually bring their own grog, find a camp on the floor and watch the band that's playing. At least they're the kinds of gigs I've gone to at The Waiting Room. The gigs that the The Waiting Room put on are usually quite diverse, representing the vast population of musicians who use the space. Going to The Waiting Room for a gig is like going to a fully decked out house party. You rock up with your six pack, walk up the back stairs and rearrange the fridge or esky so you can fit your beers in. You meet some kid you've met around the traps "yeah, yeah man, I've seen you around- good to meet you" and you go watch the band together and bum a smoke off him (or he off you) when you go out back into the garden. You know the deal.

I'm reviewing the Waiting Room both as someone who has hired out the space to put on my own show…read moreand as a regular punter. Cam Smith, the guy who runs the venue, is absolutely wonderful to deal with. He's genuinely passionate about music and puts in a lot of effort to make this a unique Brisbane venue. The place itself is an old Queenslander that has been appropriated into a live music venue. The atmosphere is more akin to a house party than being at an actual venue. except the band that's playing have a professional sound tech with a real mixing desk and PA! (Hint: there's also a bathroom downstairs, so don't wait around upstairs like a sucker) If you're putting on a show, you basically get full control of everything. You organise your own bands, set up your own person at the door, charge your own entry fee, and set your own times (though due to noise restrictions things need to finish up around 11). It's all BYO alcohol, so there's no worrying about the bar or licensing. It's also cash only. Entrance is at the rear, so if you're wandering past and hear some noise that you'd like to check out the front door isn't going to be much help. There's no preferred genre of music that plays here, so you never know what you could be in for. Yes the venue is on the smaller side (I believe max capacity is 80), so busier gigs mean you're less likely to actually see the band play (especially as there is no elevated stage), but I believe the laid back party atmosphere makes up for this. The smaller shows hold a special charm, with many of the patrons just setting up camp on the floor for a quiet night of enjoying the live music.

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 Box (a.k.a former space of Box Vintage) is part art gallery, part live music venue (there's a…read morestage out the back), part blank canvas to make it whatever your heart desires. My first introduction to The Box came in the form of a Sourdough workshop where in the beautifully lit front room, with a Baby Grand Piano overlooking us, we learnt the easiest way to make Sourdough. This is a space in West End that has limitless potential. It is in a easy to get to location (I mean, there's a bus stop at the front door - hello door to door service!).

Just held a small photo exhibit here and the space was perfect. It's a great community venue with a…read moregallery space and stage out the back. The staff were really helpful and friendly which made the whole experience really easy and fun. Love THE BOX!

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?

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.

My friends that live in the area kept raving about this place as their favorite building in the…read morecity so we went out of our way to come. It's awesome, a historic powerhouse building has been converted into a performing arts venue. The main floor has high ceilings and a stage. Down below are smaller theatre rooms for comedy, music, and whatever else is needed. They have a welcoming area and gift shop too. It's really well done with exposed brick and metal columns, but ultra modern too. They have a bar and restaurant overlooking the river as well, which offers picturesque views of nearby neighborhoods and passing boats. I hope to visit again and see a show here!

You say: Comedy. I say: Brisbane Powerhouse…read more You say: Sunday drinks with your crew. I say: Brisbane Powerhouse. One visit to Brisbane's iconic Powerhouse and you'll soon understand what makes this venue one of our best. From comedy shows (check out Livewire on a Sunday night - it's free!), independent theatre, bars and restaurants with river-side views - this restored power station has a tick in virtually every box. Each March it provides the perfectly rustic / diamond in the rough backdrop for the Brisbane Comedy Festival where you can catch some of our country's best comedic talent. Throughout the rest of the year you can let the Powerhouse treat you to an array of creative events including theatre, live music, film festivals and more.

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.)

This is the third time I've been to Crowbar and I'm in love…read more My first experience was a Saturday night. They had a stellar line up of girl bands on downstairs and upstairs was starting to get busy. We grabbed a mix of cocktails and spirits a were lucky to nab the last table. The crowd was the expected mix of hipsters, punks, rockers and general awesome humans. We had a mix of cocktails and Jack's cans ($10? Why, thank you, sir) and grabbed the last table upstairs. Downstairs was filling up quickly with people there to see the all girl live music line up for the night and I was a little saddened by the fact that my friends and I had plans so we couldn't head downstairs and rock out. The second time I went to Crow bar was for the secret and impromptu gig for #keepcommunityradio, featuring Smith Street Band and Violent Soho. First off, they managed the crowd so freaking well. The gig was announced at about 12.30pm and they opened to doors at 3pm. It was at capacity by 3.10pm. From a logistical point of view, they completely nailed it. From a line up point of view, it was killer. The vibe was outstanding and everyone was just there to have fun and support their community. Also, the accoustics in that venue our outstanding. I popped in for a quick drink before I met a friend on Wednesday night was met with the great surprise of a movie night. The crew open the doors and put on pizzas and a movie for free from 5pm every Wednesday. This week they were showing the Pussy Riot film and I grabbed a seat the bar, sank a drink and enjoyed the movie until it was time for me to head off to meet my mate. Every time I've been to Crow bar the staff and the clientele have been freaking' awesome. Helpful, relaxed and inviting, they break every stereotype that a metal venue would unfortunately have. If you head to Crow Bar, be ready for your expectations to be blown out of the water. My next visit will definitely be on a Thursday for ladies night. $4 drinks, bubbles on arrival and I need to try their toasties.

One of my favourite live music venues. Metal, hardcore, punk, indie even cooking demonstrations!…read moreIt's a great intimate venue. Local bands usually on a Friday night costs a meagre $10. Great value. Lots of recent renovation means this bar has a lot to offer that sets it apart from other venues: A camera that livestreams the stage to the back of the venue onto wall TVs behind the bar so that you can watch the band. Handy for short people like myself! A small kitchen - Crowbar have recently partnered up with Bread and Meat Co to offer $3 sliders! The staff here are super friendly and no one is judged here! You'll find young and old alike here. Come here after bands on Saturday night for a go at Crowieoke/karaoke and sing in front of strangers.