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.

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.

No swamp juice ... One (1) star! Really wanted a swamp juice, which is why I purchased a $30 ticket…read more(plus booking fees), only to find out there was none left! And at 20:30 to boot! Disappointed! I will, however, be coming back for the Over and Over Indie Night, cause y'all know I'm a slut for Miike Snow!

As a young adult who never quite grew out of that awkward "college rock" or "scene/emo" phase, this…read moreis one of my favourite places. Before moving I was a Regular - a status earned after attending for six weeks in a row every Thu-Sat night, or when other Regulars recognise you despite being in some sort of costume. There are always themed nights, so look them up on Facebook if you want to get the most out of your night. They run Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights, and occasionally on Sunday evenings. The beergarden and smoking area are free, and there is a fully-stocked bar in the beergarden plus excellent coverings for rainy weather. Music such as Fall Out Boy and Blink-182 is always coming through the speakers in this outdoor area, loud enough to be heard yet not so loud that you can't talk at a regular volume. There is also access to the toilets from the beergarden. It costs between $15 and $25 for entry into the main room where the bands play. Inside you'll find the main stage, a large dancefloor, a "makeout corner" with appropriate lighting, and another fully-stocked bar. The DJs usually play a variety of punk, emo/scene, hardcore, metal, and party hits, enough to keep you dancing all night, and rumour goes that if you buy the DJ a drink, you are likely to have your requested song played sooner rather than later. Drinks aren't terribly pricey, and there is an ATM available in the sitting room. On certain event nights (Halloween, New Years', Australia Day, etc), a third section in a car park is opened with a second stage and third bar. The vibe is very much like a house party gone wild, and I have never heard of the venue closing before 4am. In order to maximise your nights' fun, I recommend looking up the Facebook page and searching the event. There are hosts who can also provide you with VIP cards, which means discounts on drinks (standard price ranges from $6 for beer to $20 for cocktails) and other bonuses. If you're a fan of any Destroy All Lines club, this is the ideal party place for you :)

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.

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.

Best piano bar!!! Cutest vibe!!! Fabulous bartenders!!! Best margaritas!!! Local entertainers who…read moresing and play the piano. Small area to get up and dance and always welcome to request songs and sing along!!! The absolute cutest, coziest place!!!

I would certainly recommend this as one of the best stops in CBD. Great atmosphere here. Fun place…read moreto grab a drink, some dinner and lose yourself in the music for a bit. Worth the stop. The service here was the best I have had yet in my 5+ years of frequenting Brisbane. The staff and the chef took great care, and the food was good. There is a piano bar and restaurant upstairs, with a small front cafe, and the jazz venue is downstairs. You can order food and drinks at both, but the atmosphere downstairs is made for slow sipping a drink while you listen to the music.

It doesn't look like much of a club from the outside, more like an old Beach House... but on the…read moreinside, it is a classy little Jazzy dive. I went here for the Ozmanouche Festival Final night, it was amazing. The sheer talent from all over Australia which comes here during this Festival to play is amazing. If you are a jazz lover like I am, you should definetely check this place out. It is the Brisbane hub of all things Jazz, events through the year, you can go as a member/non-member, usually there is some sort of fee to go to an event, but it's a reasonable price. You can even volunteer if you have free time to give. The prices may be a little up there for the food and drink with a lemon lime and bitters going to $4. But for the ambience, music, talent and experience, it's worth it.

The Brisbane Jazz Club is a not-for-profit that has a house band, it's own building (a former boat…read moreshed) that survived floods of 1974 and 2011, and which books national and international acts. The place is attractive for its location, as an alternative night out, for the good drinks, but first of all of course as a live Jazz venue. The setting feels like a real venue of old with a series of tables placed on a sloping surface toward the stage. With a glass half-empty outlook one could say that it feels a bit cramped; I'd prefer the glass half-full approach where it is clearly nice that some extra space between rows of chairs allows for dinner and a more total experience. That dinner was not the highlight in our case (with uber-mild green curry - but very nice pork fillet with sweet potato) but the bar was excellent. Add to that the unique riverside location with great views of the city skyline (and the CityCat serenely gliding by at regular intervals) from the deck but also from inside the club during the performances, and you're bound to have a great night out.

KIMBRA - Tivoli 15/05/2012 support acts Daniel Merriweather…read moreand Sam Lawrence First time I saw Kimbra in a smaller scale more "intimate"concert, was at the Spiegeltent Brisbane Festival 2011. At the time, momentum was gathering with Gotye's track "Somebody I useto know" in the Aussie charts, and Kimbra had been signed to Warnerby the same guy who signed Prince. Having seen her videos on YouTubeand acoustic renditions of her own tracks, one could tell, this gir lwas headed for big, big things. Last night's concert at the Tivoli showed just that. KIMBRA is an international superstar! Its no wonder, there'sso much buzz in the USA and Europe for her album "VOWS", which has been re-released for the US market with 4 new tracks. The show was on a larger scale, and with new fans on board, KIMBRA was electrifying in her performance and stage presence. Her vocal chemistry with her band is undeniable, and they delivered a show that even the Pope would be bobbing his head rhythmically to as well as cure any bad day. This time around, touring in Oz, KIMBRA has achieved even more since the Brisbane Festival in 2011. #1 in the US Billboard's with Gotye, appearanceson Saturday Night Live, toured all over USA, Canada & Europe, performed at South-by-Southwest Festival, as well as collaborations with Foster the people's Mark Foster & Dance producer A-Track on "Warrior" (http://www.journeys.com/pluginto/). Kimbra has Capped this off by winning the Grand Prize for International Song-Writing for "Cameo Lover" earlier this month. All of this at just 22 years old.Despite tired legs from standing at length, thirst, sweat, the humidity of having many bodies around you, all was forgotten as KIMBRA took to the stage. She delivers a very quirky, eclectic, energetic, infectious, and most of all, unique performance. Her distinct hook-laden vocals, the faces she makes whilst passionately delivering a song, her weird little dances, and cute outfits, make for a memorable night. It's easy to put KIMBRA in the "pop" category, but she is so much more than that. I would even go as far to say, that if any artist in this day and age can create their own genre, then KIMBRA may have just achieved it. Each of the songs she delivered & performed are all different musically, deriving sounds and elements from various genres. From "settle down", "call me", "cameo lover", "samaritan","wandering limbs", "old flame", there's Soul, Blues, R&B, funk, rock, gospel and of course her latest offering "warrior", is an 80's pop-synth dance sound..which was absolutely mind-blowing liVE, and totally got the crowd off their feet and dancing.Amazing night, great show, and considering Kimbra's star is rising, great value for money @ $50. Special mention to Daniel Merriweather.. an artist who has worked with Mark Ronson (one of the best producers out there, known for his work with Amy Winehouse on Back to black), Daniel has a UK platinum selling album, LOve & War, various collaborations, including a duet on that album with Adele, as well as tours in the USA under his belt.It's a shame, that he is probably more known overseas, than he is in his own country. Melbourne talent, represent!He definitely got the crowd even more pumped for KIMBRA..memorable peformance from Merriweather signature song "Change". Sam Lawrence, who features on Kimbra's track "Wandering Limbs", was first up as support-act, and delivered a soulful jeff buckley-esque performance on keyboard. Keep a look out for this guy in future.

First time I went here was for a music concert, and it took me a little while to figure out that…read morethe plain-looking building I had walked past about twenty times was actually the venue. Don't let the outside of the Tivoli fool you, though. It may look a little plain and generic, but the interior decoration and design looks like it jumped out of a storybook. One of my friends had her high school formal there, and I've been to a handful of music concerts there. Each time, I've had a great time. The staff are patient and friendly, so long as you adhere to the house rules, and most of the security guards are friendly, despite looking scary. The Tivoli is available as both an 18+ venue, and an all ages venue, and the main floor can be either a dance floor, seating, or a writhing mass of bodies pressed together into a mosh pit. If you do attend a concert there, make sure you follow the first rule of moshing when it comes to water: take a sip and pass it back. The Tivoli is one of my favourite venues, very intimate between the performers and the audience, and if a band you like is playing there, definitely check it out. But because it sits out of the way a little, make sure you scope the area first, as I know friends who have gotten lost the first time they have tried venturing there. Don't be scared to ask the locals for directions, though.

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.

Walked in with a flyer from the bar saying it was happy hour from 9-10 at Ric's Karaoke and Ric's…read morebackyard, and when we asked if it was the right time were essentially told to fuck off by the bartender with shit all over his face. Would've been perfectly happy paying full price but completely ruined the vibe. Other bartender was nice enough explaining that he wasn't aware of the happy hour deal but we didn't want to stay because of the experience. Perhaps don't treat customers asking a simple question like shit, or maybe communicate with whoever is advertising happy hour deals AT THE BAR

The food was horrible! It wasn't as expected & quality was poor. Dominoes opposite was looking…read morebetter by the minute. Lift your game guys! Fries were nice, and it was open on a Monday. Disappointing for us travellers.