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 wasn't too bad, and there certainly was some rather nice décor here, as well as some…read morerather friendly staff, but the problem was that it didn't really stand out when compared to many of the other places that I had visited around this part of Brisbane. Still, despite that, this place certainly did have some charm about it, and the beer selection was rather nice as well. It just really didn't register all that high in my mind.

I went to a gig in this place last week. Quite a nice place with a wide range selection of tap…read morebeer. Also free water for drink. The vibe is really good! The staff look very cool! The toilet is special and surprisingly clean.

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.

The Beetle Bar, is not the first place Brisbane residents think of when considering local music…read morevenues which is a real shame. I believe this is mainly due to the location and possibly the marketing. This seems to be changing as I am seeing more gigs being advertised at this place. From the exterior, the Beetle Bar looks very intrguing as their is a large beetle/lady-bug car stationed on the roof. The place is decorated in a 'bug theme' with lady bugs painted on the floor which is pretty quirky and cute. There is a large sized bar that offers your standard bar drinks -basic spirits and Aussie beers- at reasonable prices. What's not to love! Most importantly, the place has a decently sized stage large enough for bands to move and get jiggy while they are performing. The floor area is also spacious enough to fit a large crowd. For busier nights, an upstairs area will be opened allowing lots of people to dance and be merry. I have been to numerous gigs for local bands here and am usually very satisfied by the end of the night. It is a great place to be social and enjoy live music.

It was probably last year sometime that a few mates in bands starting telling me their next gig was…read moreat the Beetle Bar. "Where's that?" I'd say. "Oh, it's in that line of backpackers just up from Roma Street." Out of curiosity I went there. That area was a cultural dead zone to me (despite being filled with backpackers). After those first skeptical moments, I realised that a seriously decent venue had cropped out outside of the Valley and West End, but close enough to both to be considered in a fairly extensive pub crawl. The best part is that it houses killer local punk and rock gigs for dirt cheap. If you like your rock, your punk, rockabilly and psychobilly, you'll be needing to hit up the Beetle Bar. HITS, 6FT Hick, Shrewms, Main Street Brats, Big Bongin' Baby, Flangipanis have all been found up on their stage and will be again. This is not your pristine princess parlour. There's fur on the walls, and it's got a gnarly paint job. It's just a cool, grungy pad to get your drink on in while catching a local band. Support the venue that supports the local music scene. Make the effort to head out to the Beetle Bar, if for no other reason than it'll mean you'll have a night not spent in the Valley or West End.

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.

I have been in Austraila for 13 days this place served me the best meal I've had since here super…read morestoked and will be back for more super happy super awesome a must to come and see and feed awesome The chef here is the man

This place was hard to rate, and I'd probably give it 3.5 if I could- decided to be generous…read morebecause of its potential! The beer selection is a little too main stream for myself, the on tap craft selection was limited to a NSW micro brewery and 4Pines. Upsettingly they had coopers on tap, which sets the tone of something between a bogan Aussie bar and neat tap house. The menu items were odd, but not bad! I went for the double cheeseburger because the single cheeseburger is on vacation (ie not on the menu). If you're around this area, then yea I'd probably recommend eat here.

Upstairs we waited in a typical pre-Summer Brisbane, sweltering in 35+ degree weather. Led down a…read moreshort stair-well and entering into the dark, we appeared to leave Brisbane and be transported to a prohibition 1920s Speakeasy of exposed brick, corridors and a long wall adorned with men with moustaches. This is important to note for reasons unknown. Once underground your modern-day dress almost felt out of place and more akin to an Evelyn Waugh novel. Perhaps you'd be sitting across from a Mitford sister, or some other Bright Young Thing. It all felt a little bit Midnight In Paris when Woody Allen's script sends Owen Wilson's character back to the roaring days of Hemingway. The Walrus Bar (you'll have to visit to answer the question, "Why Walrus?"), headed by Krystal Hart (recently crowned Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender for 2013) and with support behind the bar from some of this town's finest (including a few familiar faces from Canvas), is home to some 300 spirits; rum; cheese and charcuterie and 30 Cuban cigars. As well as my usual cocktail friend (Southsides), I happily sipped on an Indian punch (Panch Phora Punch) which was a rich and seductively easy to drink. This is a rum bar primarily and the majority of lighting within the bar is from the glass cabinets containing every rum you could imagine. Of course, it is never wise to enjoy such decadent drink on an empty stomach and The Walrus have you sorted with a menu of small plates. The Walrus Bar has to be seen to be believed so rather than me waffle on any further - just visit this underground lair which you'll forget resides underneath The Regatta.

What could be better than an underground, intimate bar that has one of the most ridiculous rum…read morecollections going as well as the ability to make just about any cocktail known to man ? An underground bar that feeds you massive bowls of free popcorn and cashews laced with what can only be a combination of sugar, Tabasco sauce and unicorn tears - that's what! Wear your snazzy gear because you won't bet let in otherwise. Bring your friends, devour the cheese and charcuterie selections. Drink things. Test the bar staff. Be impressed with their skills and cocktail nerding. Do it. Do it all.

The pub itself is fine, but the gaming room is always dirty, with empty glasses left to pile up and…read moreseats and pokies always sticky and gross. There is no consideration for the customers who spend their money in their gaming room - no coffee or even water, and very often harrassment by people asking for money. If a venue is prepared to take gamblers' money, there should be at least a clean place to sit, and some support from staff when beggars are bothering patrons. Awful.

When I passed this way the first time this pub was, well, basically shut. Fortunately, I found…read moremyself back here six months later and it has reopened and it was certainly an impressive sight to behold. This pub is pretty big, and their beer selection is nothing short of awesome. In fact, it is so big that you are really not going to have a problem finding a place to sit. Yeah, it has a rooftop deck, and numerous other places to hang out. Oh, and the service is pretty awesome as well.

Loft does not skimp on two things: atmosphere and music. It's chilled, with dimmed lighting, pot…read moreplants hanging from the ceiling, and a soundtrack that would make Barry White weak at the knees. As it is, though, if I wanted atmosphere and good music, I could just lock myself in a cupboard with some candles and my iPhone; the whole reason we go out is for the drinks, expertly crafted by expert craftspeople who craft expertly. And, unfortunately, it is here that Loft fails to deliver. Over the course of a few hours, I had an incredibly ordinary vodka and diet coke (come on, people; I can only imagine there was something wrong with the soda machine), a very average mule, a truly horrible espresso martini (bitter, bitter coffee combined in absolutely the wrong way with the alcohols), and, worst of all, the absolute WORSE lemon, lime and bitters I have ever had. I actually don't know how it's possible to stuff up a LL&B, but apparently they figured out a way. I also was not alone in my disappointment: several other people commented that their cocktails were poorly mixed, or just tasted downright awful. Furthermore, they skimped on the alcohol: for nearly all of our drinks, they barely filled the shot 2/3 full, until we eventually said something. And, lets be honest, that's what your paying for, and the drinks sure ain't cheap. I really hope that it was just an off night for them, but unfortunately I will be very unlikely to ever go back to see if it was. Very disappointing.

Well, I don't go out often, and I'd never been here before, but one of the girls from work…read moresuggested it for drinks. I lobbed in early and nabbed a lovely little table and couch area, with just enough seats for our group. While we left fairly early (10:30) it wasn't crowded at any stage, unlike Archive downstairs. Plenty of tasty drinks, although expensive, but where isn't these days? The bar staff were all friendly and attentive, never having to wait long for a drink. You can book out sections for functions, and it's really quite a nice place. Enjoyed hearing a lot of music from a lot of favourite bands; pretty rare these days! I'll be back.

There seems to be quite a few of these breweries about the place, and this particular one I had no…read moreidea about until I wandered past it one afternoon. Well, not surprisingly I decided to pop in for a drink, and I was certainly rewarded with some great beers, and a rather nice atmosphere as well. Then again there is really little that you can do wrong with these small craft beer breweries, which honestly seem to be getting smaller and smaller as time goes on. This place is no exception.

Bar, brewery, eatery, live music venue. Catchment is ticking every box and it's doing it with ease…read more I walked into the bar on Friday night and felt myself smile almost instantly. The tunes, the people, the bar staff - everything was pointing towards this being my new happy place. I ordered a Batlow Saison Cider (I know. Amazing. Saison CIDER) and chatted with the bar staff. I was intreguied by their boilermaker menu and after a while, we were walking away like I was a regular part of the furniture. There's just something about Catchment. It's designed really well, the venue feels inviting and the staff are there to have a good time and make you great drinks. Catchment gave me an opportunity to smash beers, play darts and have good chats; what more could you want?