After months of buzz, New Farm’s beloved Grape & Grazing crew finally unveiled its next act – Rhone Wine Merchant. Designed for locals hungry for something beyond the ordinary, Rhone blends bottle shop and wine bar into a single, discovery-driven playground stocked with more than 1500 bottles, ranging from rare gems to weeknight go-tos. Guests step into a moody, timber-clad space lined with temperature-controlled fridges and slanted shelves showcasing Rhône blends, heavyweight pinots, chardonnays, champagnes and staff-picked standouts – high-end belters to highly accessible gear, all vetted by the team. Beyond take-home treasures, Rhone Wine Merchant pours six rotating wines by the glass, plus Coravin samples for the curious and a tight, ever-changing menu of plates that might swing from oysters to anchovies to steak frites overnight.
The year in review: raise a glass and toast to Brisbane’s best new bars of 2025
Brisbane’s bar scene grew in interesting ways in 2025. We welcomed a diverse bunch of watering holes this year, with something new for craft-beer drinkers, cocktail connoisseurs and oenophiles making its debut. From massive gastropubs and Australiana-laced corner bars to subterranean Santana-inspired haunts and a trio of drink-in wine stores, these are Brisbane’s ten best new bars for 2025 …
Bonnie Doon Public House, Fortitude Valley
When hospitality veteran Asa Simard unexpectedly inherited the storied corner site formerly home to Bloodhound Bar, he seized the chance to reimagine it as a humble Aussie paradise brimming with nostalgia and charm. Bonnie Doon Public House is a homey haven filled with familiar comforts, from its canary-yellow facade and heritage-steeped nooks to a menu that playfully elevates Aussie party classics like cob loaf, rissoles, dagwood dogs and fairy bread. Across its sun-drenched front bar, stained-glass back deck and upstairs pool room, Bonnie Doon radiates the warmth of a beloved family shack, backed by an all-Australian drinks line-up that champions local brewers, natural winemakers and cheeky cocktail riffs. It’s the kind of place where every corner feels like a story waiting to be told – proof that the spirit of an old favourite can return not as a replica, but as something even better.
Dark Blue, Fortitude Valley
Hannah Wagner did something incredibly special when she opened Dark Red in 2022. Known as a welcoming port in the heart of the storm known as Fortitude Valley, the wine bar has become a beloved go-to for many thanks to its ever-changing Italian wine list and the warm, personal touch of Hannah and her furry sidekick Daisy. But could she do it again? It turns out that yes, she can. Hannah expanded her footprint in the nightlife precinct with Dark Blue – a more refined, yet still approachable bar located in the heritage-listed Shannon’s Building at the entrance to Winn Lane. Boasting a moody, romantic aesthetic with a New York loft-style vibe, Dark Blue leans more heavily into cocktails than Dark Red, with a Mediterranean-inspired list of boozy concoctions curated by Charlie Hunter (formerly of Savile Row), offering inventive twists like the Med Martini and Caramel Carajillo. Wine remains a key focus, but this time Hannah is spotlighting Portuguese, Argentinian and Chilean varieties. Throw in some conservas and snacks, and it’s no wonder Dark Blue is considered on par with its older sibling.
Death & Co, Toowong
You might like
Nearly two decades after reshaping modern mixology and securing a cult-like place in global cocktail culture, famed NYC-born cocktail bar Death & Co opened its first international locations. To the surprise of many, Brisbane was tapped to be the home of one of these overseas outposts. According to founder David Kaplan, Brisbane was chosen not through strategy but affection, a place whose culture and lifestyle seemed perfectly suited to Death & Co’s brand of hospitality. Nestled beneath the Regatta Hotel in the space previously home to The Walrus Club, Death & Co Brisbane transforms the site’s heritage bones into an intimate, candlelit haven anchored by a marble bar, a moody atmosphere and a sense of discovery. True to its ethos, the venue blends top-tier, subtly innovative drinks with an emphasis on hospitality and human connection, offering an expansive menu of modern classics, Brisbane-only creations and thoughtful snacks that complement the craft. While equipped to stand among the city’s best, David insists Death & Co aims not to dominate, but to contribute – reflecting Brisbane’s own character and helping elevate its cocktail scene on the world stage.
4 Pines at Landers Pocket, Brisbane Airport
Roughly ten years in the making, Landers Pocket has lived up to every bit of hype. The visionary, multi-purpose hospitality and entertainment precinct has elevated the already-popular Golf Central site into a landmark destination for Brisbane – and there’s more to come. The first stage has introduced a powerful mix of top-tier experiences, a new mini golf course and the impressive 4 Pines at Landers Pocket brewery, distillery and gastropub, created in partnership with industry heavyweights 4 Pines Brewing and Never Never Distilling Co. The sprawling venue pours on-site brews, distills bespoke Queensland-inspired spirits and serves a broad, crowd-pleasing gastropub menu, all within a vibrant space designed for families, food lovers, beer aficionados, and casual golfers alike. With stage two set to add padel courts, a Kick-n-Catch zone, a 3000-person amphitheatre and more, Landers Pocket isn’t just a venue – it’s a one-of-a-kind, all-day destination poised to redefine Brisbane hospitality in 2025 and beyond.
L.P.O. Wine, Tarragindi
When comedian and Tarragindi local Matt Okine texted his good friend Dan Wilson asking, “How hard is it to open a wine shop?”, Dan – drawing on years of experience running several acclaimed venues in London – replied, “With me, it’s pretty easy.” This off-the-cuff exchange sparked the creation of L.P.O., a cosy, character-filled wine shop nestled in the leafy heart of Tarragindi. Though it has only been open for roughly half a year, L.P.O. has quickly become a local favourite, offering a curated selection of minimal-intervention wines in a stripped-back, plywood-lined space designed to spotlight the bottles themselves. Dan’s curatorial ethos centres on accessibility, authenticity and emotional resonance, with the goal of guiding customers toward unique wines that reflect not only terroir but also mood and feeling. Stocked with both local and international labels, L.P.O. serves wines by the glass to help demystify the buying process, while offering rare vintages on weekends to surprise and delight.
Rhone, New Farm
Subscribe for updates
Ruby’s Wine Shop, Albion
Tamara Husler’s Ruby Wine Shop, is a warm, character-soaked hybrid bottle shop and wine bar that has already become part of Albion’s textured fabric. From the moment the doors swung open, locals flooded into the cosy Sandgate Road space, perching at tables, crowding next to shelves and greeting Ruby the border collie – all eager to sample Tamara’s thoughtfully curated, sustainability-minded selection that runs the gamut of minimal-intervention Australian stars, European treasures and her own easy-drinking pet nat. Tamara’s venue feels less like a bar and more like someone’s lived-in lounge room, with guests able to bring their own snacks, order from next door and chat freely with strangers. With rare Swiss wines on the way and a community-driven approach guiding its evolution, Ruby’s is quickly establishing itself not just as a new local favourite, but as one of the city’s most compelling newcomers.
Shaman, Brisbane City
The newest and most ambitious bar concept from Brisbane hospitality stalwart Peter Hollands is easily one of 2025’s standout openings. Tucked away beneath a historic building on Edward Street, Shaman is a timeless, guest-first cocktail haven built to last. The subterranean rum-and-tequila den channels the fluid, soulful energy of Carlos Santana while weaving together two of Hollands’ long-held concepts: a laidback beers-and-margaritas day spot and a globally minded rum bar. The result is an inviting, detail-rich space that balances chaos with classic warmth, offering a back-to-basics cocktail program built on precision, juiced-to-order citrus and a collection of around 100 rums and 50 tequilas. With its dynamic playlist, unique rituals (like ice-cold Estrella served straight from the crate) and Hollands’ signature commitment to creating venues that feel instantly lived-in yet enduring, Shaman stands out not as a niche experiment but as a future Brisbane institution – an effortlessly welcoming bar designed for many great nights to come.
Stickybeak Wine, Woolloongabba
Wine bars come in all shapes and sizes. By and large, most vino joints pour the wine for you – but at Stickybeak, you’re in control. The two-level, 60-seat joint from the BTG Wine team is equipped with ten self-serve WineEmotion machines, each capable of holding and dispensing eight wines apiece. That means Stickybeak has eighty wines available to sample via tasting portion (25 ml), half glass (75 ml) or full glass (150 ml). Stickybeak goes to bat for Australian winemakers, with more than 80-percent of the range produced domestically – including vino from esteemed makers like Stargazer Wine, Powell & Son, Ox Hardy Wines and Nocturne Wines, to name a few. Since opening at the beginning of the year, Stickybeak has settled into a comfortable groove as a no-fuss locale adored by those that love flexibility.
Sushi Room Bar, Fortitude Valley
Since debuting in 2022, Sushi Room has earned reverence for its meticulous approach to Japanese cuisine. Dinner at the restaurant, located in the bowels of The Calile Hotel, is typically a celebration-worthy event, but in May the restaurant made it easier for foodies to savour its heralded menu on a whim with the addition of a brand-new bar. Designed more for impromptu walk-in visits and pre-dinner drinks, the 30-seater haunt has been designed by Richards & Spence, with a marble bar, mirrored ceiling, alfresco booths and DJ nook creating a markedly different atmosphere than the moody restaurant next door. The bar serves head chef Shimpei Raikuni’s full menu – from premium sushi and sashimi to Sushi Room’s signatures (yes, including the famed spicy tuna on crispy rice) – as well as a killer beverage menu led by house-crafted cocktails like the Toyohashi (Nikka Coffey Grain whiskey, Calvados, shiso, apple, ginger, sticky rice and white tea) and the Tochigi (Casamigos tequila, Lillet Blanc, rhubarb, nasturtium, strawberry, lemon and aquafaba). Offering a more spontaneous way for guests to experience Sushi Room’s high level of service and quality, Sushi Room’s bar is more than an extension – it’s a valued addition to James Street’s after-dark scene.
Honourable mentions
Wild Legs Wine Room in Newstead, Fuel Brewing Co. in Bulimba, 27 South Brewing in Coorparoo, Bobby’s Wine Bar in New Farm, Last Man Standing in Milton, Above Rooftop and The Beaumont Beer Garden in Fortitude Valley, and Mirrorball Ministries in West End.