When was the last time you played tourist in your own city? You might be surprised at what you’ll discover hiding in plain sight if you put your phone down and take a good look around, as if you were on holidays.
A staycation in Brisbane’s CBD is a perfect way to fall in love with your home town all over again…and Brisbane has never had so much to discover.
The W Brisbane the first 5-star hotel to open in the CBD in 20 years. The rooms and views are spectacular, and it’s walking distance to all that the city has to offer.
In fact, it’s mere steps away from the newly opened Brisbane Quarter, which is quickly becoming a destination in its own right.
From bagels, bistros to boujee décor – the first stage of Brisbane Quarter is open, but this dining & retail hub is only getting bigger.
Blue Ducks are making quite a splash, there’s a hidden gem on Level 2 that’s spicing up the city’s food scene. Heritij is not your average Indian restaurant – take traditional recipes, throw in a Michelin-starred chef, add some local produce, and finish with artistic décor, and you get Indian gastronomy with a modern twist.
Around the corner on Elizabeth and George Streets, you’ll find a cosy bar hidden in a basement that will transport you back to the 1920’s. Boom Boom Room could be Brisbane’s most opulent underground bar. The art-deco architecture exudes a decadent “Great Gatsby” vibe. Listen to sweet sounds while sipping on a cocktail named after the great artists of our time. Or, you could opt for a bottle of fine liquor from “the vault” and they’ll keep it for you to sip on over many visits.
The heritage listed space incorporates original 1920’s elements, and the private rooms are actually converted bank vaults!…which give a clue to the building’s past.
You might recognise the hundred-year old sandstone building from the outside…it was once the Queensland Government Savings Bank, and before that it housed QLD’s first radio station. Now, it’s undergone another transformation…as one of Brisbane’s newest most-talked-about restaurants.
Donna Chang sits above Boom Boom Room and been described as a “dining experience for the senses” (Seinfeld fans might also recognise the name).
With the visually stunning heritage décor and a Chinese-fusion menu that packs a punch, it’s fast becoming a popular spot for couples, groups, corporates and events. Executive Chef Jake Nicolson hails from Brisbane restaurant Blackbird and he’s excited to offer diners something very new that still showcases Queensland produce.
Aside from Donna Chang and Boom Boom Room, the building houses the new Adina Apartment Hotel– 220 apartment-style rooms that keeps the 1920’s charm alive. A perfect spot for a staycation that let’s you explore all that the city has to offer…
Wander the streets and discover the laneway bars and boutiques; take a stroll along the river, through the botanic gardens or Roma Street Parkland; enjoy a little fun; or a time-honoured tradition at City Hall. A ride up the clock tower at City Hall is a rite of passage, and daily free tours take visitors up in the original 1930’s lift to the 64 metre-high observation deck. It offers a unique bird’s-eye view of the city. Can you image how much this view has changed over the 80 years that visitors have been coming up?
You’ll find another fabulous vantage point just across the road atop the Mercure King George Square. Sixteen Antlers has fast earnt a reputation as one of the most popular rooftop bars in the CBD and it is a perfect possie to take in another angle of our gorgeous city. With a cocktail in hand, on a breezy Brisbane afternoon, you’re sure to feel the holiday vibes.
