It’s been a big week in the office, you’re burnt out, longing for a bit of fun and most of all… you need a drink. Not just any drink though – an absolutely incredible one. Brisbane may seem like it’s the land of Pale Ale and G&T’s, but fear not! Some absolutely crazy cocktails are just around the corner, if you just know where to look.
Milky Lane
Choc-a-block? Nah. Excessive? No way. Absolutely mouth-watering? You betcha! The team at Milky Lane come up with a custom cocktail every month, and all of them are pure decadence. January’s drink is the amazing Curly Wurly Cocktail – but only until the end of the month! I mean come on, does it get more over-the-top (literally) than this? Who cares, we’re totally down for it. Good luck not getting chocolate on your chin.
Location: 76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead QLD 4006
Viscosity
Turn out the lights and get the party started! This bar looks more like a chemist’s laboratory than a place to drink, with whacky concoctions from Brisbane’s first science-themed bar. Some standouts include the ‘Jellyfish Shooters’, which look like something out of the deep sea, and ‘Missing Number One’ makes for a smokey experience thanks to the liquid nitrogen. They all taste incredible and you’re in for a world of fun.
Location: 11 Connor St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Cowch Dessert Bar
Sometimes, you just need a little sugar. Cowch is the place to go when you need a LOT of sugar. Their entire cocktail menu is as cute as can be, with plenty of amazing cocktails on offer so you can change it up. ‘Cotton Candy’ is definitely a stand-out, with cotton candy stacked on sky high! It’s definitely the EKKA in a glass, with some showbag lollies on top.
Location: 2/179 Grey Street, South Bank &
Shop R66 Westfield Chermside Gympie Road, Chermside
Comuna Cantina
Mix summer sun and tacos with out-of-this-world flavours at Comuna Cantina! Their cocktail line-up is just about the most colourful thing we’ve ever seen. Their margaritas and spritzes are adorned with butterfly details, sour straps, hundreds and thousands, TimTams and even full chillies! This is definitely one to check out if you want to level-up your Insta game.
Location: 175 Albert St, Brisbane City
Dutch Courage
If one cocktail just isn’t enough, why not a whole bath? And by whole bath, we mean a whole bath. Among their many other cocktails, Dutch Courage offers a Hendrick’s Gin-drenched cocktail served in a mini-clawfoot bath – perfect for shaking off the week. We don’t know about you, but this the kind of bubble-bath we need right about now.
Location: 51 Alfred St, Fortitude Valley
Brooklyn Depot
Thursday’s are the day to quench your thirst at Brooklyn Depot. In the heart of Southbank, BD’s burgers and New York grub are good, but where they really shine is in their drinks menu. Their shared cocktails are a thing of legend. This one is topped off with a full bottle of Moscato to boot! Another shared cocktail to try is the Espresso Martini, served in an actual French Press coffee pot. How niche is that?
Next Episode
These cocktails may look basic but finding them sure isn’t. Tucked away in a corner of Fish Lane, Next Episode has the façade of a barbershop, so you’ll need to figure out how to open the secret door to get in (tip: ring the phone). Once you’re inside, treat yourself to bangin’ beats, an amazing underground dance space and some of the best named cocktails in town. Some top ones to try are ‘Hendrick’s Lamar’, ‘I Got 99 Problems but a Drink Ain’t One’, and ‘Biggy’s Baby Baby’.
Location: 5 Cordelia St, South Brisbane
Go on, wet your whistle.
