10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Brisbane

Brisbane’s year-round balmy climate means it’s perfectly possible to take a dip long after sunset, and night owls can combine nightlife and night swimming at South Bank Parklands. The lively riverside cultural hub is packed with opportunities to drink, dine, and dance the night away, and your after-dark revelry is sure to feel even more magical after a pre-party dip in the sparkling waters of Streets Beach.

Well-lit and patrolled by lifeguards until around midnight, Streets Beach is Australia’s only man-made urban beach, with white sands and swaying palms centred around a blissfully warm lagoon. Take a dip, dry off, and take your pick from the many bars, pubs, and nightclubs at nightlife hotspots like Little Stanley Street and River Quay.

Brisbane has an enviable cityscape, and the Wheel of Brisbane is one of the city’s most eye-catching landmarks, rising 60 metres (nearly 200 ft) above the South Bank skyline. The views from the top are dramatic at any time of day or night, but the sweeping panoramas at sunset or after dark are especially breath-taking.

Steamy subtropical Brisbane really sparkles after dark, and there’s no better way to get to know the area than by taking in a 360-degree view from above. There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up, take a seat in one of the air-conditioned gondolas, and enjoy the ride and the accompanying audio tour as the city lights of Brisbane twinkle below.

Visitors can strap on safety harnesses and enjoy a unique after-dark experience with Brisbane Story Bridge Twilight Climb. You’ll be climbing Australia’s longest cantilever bridge: a grand feat of engineering spanning 777 metres (almost 2,500 ft) and rising to 74 metres (243 ft) at its highest point.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb organises guided, family-friendly (ages 6 and up) twilight and after-dark ascents, which set off from the company’s Kangaroo Point headquarters. You’ll reach the bridge’s eastern side, and then make a stiff climb up steel steps to reach a viewing point high above the city. Here you can take a deep breath, admire the cityscape below, and hear an entertaining history of the bridge and its importance to the city.

With social and cultural hotspots clustered along the waterfront, life in Brisbane revolves around the river, and an evening kayak tour is a fun way to see the city’s nightlife from a new perspective.

Landmarks such as the Story Bridge and Wheel of Brisbane are beautifully lit at night, making an after-dinner kayak trip along the Brisbane River a particularly enjoyable way to see the city. Several operators, including Riverlife Brisbane and Kayak Fun, operate after dark kayak tours, typically lasting around 90 minutes and gliding under the illuminated inner-city bridges in the direction of hot spots like South Bank or Story Bridge, depending on the tide.

There are plenty of high-adrenaline nocturnal adventures to be found in outdoorsy Brisbane, and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Rock Climb with Riverlife Brisbane is an excellent example. With an urban setting just across the Brisbane River from the city’s botanical gardens and Central Business District (CBD), the heritage-listed volcanic rock cliffs are ideal for a climb under the stars.

Scaling the 25-metre (82-ft) rock face by moonlight is a Brisbane nightlife experience to be savoured and takes some of the heat out of a climb that can be sweltering during daylight hours. The two-hour guided climbing adventures are suitable for all levels (instruction and equipment are provided by the enthusiastic guides), and anybody aged 12 or over can take part.

Showcasing arts, crafts, clothing, and collectibles from local producers, Brisbane’s South Bank Collective Markets are an excellent option for after-dinner shopping at the weekend. Vendors set up shop at the heart of South Bank each Friday evening, and the retail adventures continue through the weekend.

The markets are centred on and around Stanley Street Plaza and are great for a post-dinner wander after a meal in one of the many restaurants and bars clustered around this lively part of town. Whether you’re after one-off fashions, unique Brisbane souvenirs or vintage vinyl, the South Bank Collective Markets have you covered. And with live music, drinks stalls, and a lively ambience, this is Brisbane shopping at its most enjoyable.

Brisbane’s balmy climate means locals spend much of their leisure time outdoors, and night market shopping is a popular way to explore the city after dark. The diverse markets, which crop up across the city at weekends, are a particularly good option for foodies and for families.

Twinkling lights, live music, and wafting cooking aromas abound, and the many vendors offer a chance to pick up everything from fresh-cut flowers and fresh-baked cakes to super-fresh fashions. Some specialised markets, like South Brisbane Vegan Market and Old Petrie Town Twilight Market, are held once or twice a week, but firm favourites like South Bank Collective market, offer a chance to shop every weekend.

Exploring Brisbane’s rocking live music scene is one of the most energetic ways to enjoy time in the city after dark. This is a city that moves to a permanent musical groove—live music frequently accompanies everything from outdoor shopping to indoor dining. Brisbane’s live music scene includes intimate venues showcasing up-and-coming bands (Fortitude Valley is a hub for small indie music venues, including the legendary Black Bear Lodge), as well as popular jazz clubs and larger venues hosting established acts.

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) stages relaxed sit-down sets from local and international acts, while The Zoo, on Ann Street in Fortitude Valley, has been attracting music lovers of every age bracket and musical taste since 1969.

A 4-minute drive or 15-minute walk from Story Bridge, Brisbane Jazz Club has a few stories of its own to tell. The legendary live music venue first opened its doors in April 1972, when mayor of the time Clem Jones took a seat in a rowing boat across the Brisbane River to formally mark the occasion.

Sitting on the riverbank at Kangaroo Point, the venue has been hit by floods several times, but has survived to become one of Australia’s best-loved live music spots, hosting major jazz festivals each year. The in-house big band is highly regarded within international jazz communities, and performances come accompanied by drinks, food (the dinner menu offers everything from lobster tail to vegan options), and glorious views over the river.

Sitting pretty on the banks of the Brisbane River next to the twinkling Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves jostles with South Bank and Fortitude Valley for the title of liveliest after-dark location in Brisbane.

Sampling the wares of the enormous on-site Felon’s Brewery is a near-obligatory experience during a visit to the Wharves, but you don’t have to be a beer lover to appreciate the experience. Cocktail terraces offer gorgeous views over the bridge and across the river, ice cream parlours ensure night owls with a sweet tooth are content, and it’s easy to while away an entire evening just strolling between bars, listening to music spilling out of bars, and soaking up the ambience.