SITE PARTNER:  

Best Brisbane Bars with Live Music

Updated: Aug 31, 2025

From jazz to rock'n'roll to r'n'b, folk and blues, here's 14 of the best Brisbane bars with live music:

The Alligator Club is a game-changing New Orleans-inspired live music and cocktail bar hidden away at the end of a funky laneway
A cool Hawaiian-themed dive bar in an historic Fortitude Valley building, accessed by a retro refrigerator door
Brooklyn Standard is Brisbane’s coolest basement bar - a dim-lit brick cellar accessed by a secret laneway door where live music
Lefty's Music Hall is like a lavish honky tonk saloon meets bordello beamed up from the deep south of 19th century America

An old war igloo was converted into a sensational bar and music venue that is one of Brisbane’s fave destinations with onsite 2-storey beer garden

The retro cocktail lounge and bar on a New Farm Corner has a live music basement bar, The Skukum Lounge
Upstairs above the old Cosmo Coffee Shop is this Twin Peaks meets Blue Velvet bar
An old school American-style jazz bar and eatery, like a secret slice of Chicago or New Orleans in the streets of the Valley
The Sound Garden is a stunning, mammoth 2-storey atrium bar in the heart of Fortitude Valley
Doo-Bop Bar brings live music to the streets of Brisbane, with a cool basement bar and upstairs Piano Bar
Greaser is a secret subterranean bar of retro American-style cool in the cellar of a 130-year-old heritage Fortitude Valley building
With live indie bands, space invaders, party-worn décor and a balcony, Ric’s Bar is a Valley Institution

Within the four walls of The Fortitude Music Hall, lies this 300 capacity multipurpose venue that features a diverse program of artists

The historic weatherboard club by the river has for decades been the home of jazz in Brisbane, including evenings and monthly brunch

Still hungry for more suggestions on where to eat out in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Archie Moore's kith and kin makes its Australian premiere at GOMA
A turbo-charged, Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy smash
Stories and music create the unforgettable - as Camerata has captured
Brisbane Writers Festival has launched its 2025 program
One of Australia’s and Brisbane’s very own great lyric soprano, Leanne Kenneally
Bringing together the best of Australian rodeo, campdrafting & country hospitality
Milton House Spring Social is a four weekend pop-up bar
The Plantapalooza plant festival returns to the Saturday Fresh Market
Step inside the world of Waltzing the Wilarra, a powerful, entertaining and music-filled night
EDITOR'S PICK

Best Picnic Spots Around Brisbane

When it comes to picnic spots, Brisbane offers no shortage of stunning locations to lay out a rug and soak up the spring sunshine. Here's 8 of the best
Best Picnic Spots in Brisbane
MUST DO

Brisbane Writers Festival

Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) unveils an exciting new chapter with a star-studded program of events, held for the first time at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane Writers Festival 2025
THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Oct 3-6

From a 2 day CelticFest, The Veronicas at The Triffid. a stunning art exhibition and Oktoberfest at Eat Street to a mega country music festival, the top things to do this long weekend
This Weekend Oct 3-6
COMING UP

What's on in November in & around Brisbane

From Brisbane's top foodie night feast, Halloween at Eat Street, 2-day chilli festival, Melbourne Cup events and Supanova ComicCon to a free pop up riverside concert, what's on in November
What's On in November 2025
MUST SEE

Recovered Futures Art Exhibition

A huge exhibition showcasing 300 stunning works from more than 217 artists with lived mental health experience is taking over King George Square
Recovered Futures
HOT TICKET

The Long Sunset

After a massive sellout in 2024, The Long Sunset is back - and this year it’s setting up camp in Boonah for 3 unforgettable days
The Long Sunset
THE GUIDE

September School Holiday Guide

Spring into the September school holidays with these fantastic activities, shows and events in and around Brisbane
September School Holidays 2025
BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs
Best Restaurants in Brisbane
A wild ride through love, lust & lunacy!
CONTENT RESUMES ON SCROLL
ADVERTISEMENT