West End offers visitors a unique experience for interstate and international travellers, with its eclectic culture, vibrant atmosphere, and a plethora of entertaining restaurants, cafes, pubs and nightlife venues. 

Start your evening off with a delicious meal at some of West End’s renowned eateries. From traditional Australian cuisine to creative fusion dishes, there’s sure to be something that everyone can enjoy. Once you’ve enjoyed the culinary delights, explore the area further and take in the electric atmosphere created by its many shops, bars and entertainment spots. 

By nightfall you can choose from various live music venues and bustling night clubs offering you a truly remarkable evening with friends or family. If you’re stumped about what to add to your travel itinerary when visiting the West End, we’ve compiled just a few of our favourite things to do during your time with us. Read on to start planning your West End itinerary. 

Bar Francine

Situated in an iconic West End cottage, Bar Francine offers a unique experience of quaint sophistication from the moment you enter. Patrons will be delighted by a selection of cabernet sauvignon and other small-producer wines as well as Australian tinned beer, expertly crafted cocktails and tempting vegetarian options. 

The menu is created by acclaimed chef Brad Copper and offers unique, European-inspired cuisine. With its ambient atmosphere and carefully curated libations and dishes, Bar Francine is sure to captivate guests with its delightful combination of rustic charm balanced with urban elegance.

Lokal + Co

A charming Nordic-inspired contemporary cafe situated in the heart of Brisbane’s West End, Lokal + Co has garnered itself a strong reputation for serving up hearty, delicious breakfast, lunch and brunch menu items done well. Enjoy the Scandinavian flavour profiles and Lokal’s delightful spin on classic Australian favourites like chilli scrambled eggs, avocado toast, and delectable meat and vegetarian brioche breakfast rolls and burgers. Fans of Nordic flavours are encouraged to try Lokal’s house-cured salmon in particular.

Lokal + Co also offers an expansive drinks menu, including exceptional loose leaf teas, rich coffees, and even some cocktails, beers, and wines, perfect for a boozy Sunday brunch. Be sure to ask the owners and staff for their personal recommendations when it comes to food and drink pairings. Chances are, you’ll be a little overwhelmed with the smorgasbord that’s on offer here at the West End’s very own ‘lokal’, as the Norwegians say. 

Covent Garden

Located within the vibrant urban hub of Boundary Street, Covent Garden boasts a unique mix of possessing a historic atmosphere that’s also intuitively coupled with contemporary dinner offerings. Guests are treated to a delightful dining experience as they venture into a colonial-style building that has been transformed into a refreshingly, botanical-themed bar and eatery that’s just as beautiful as it is inviting. 

Patrons can relish in the tropical rear garden, savour traditional bar snacks and sweet delicacies, or even take part in the house’s signature high tea complete with its own watering can filled with gin cocktail. It’s an ideal setting for any night out or warm, sunny day in. 

The Fourth Monkey

The Fourth Monkey Cocktail Bar is a unique and vibrant drinking establishment that offers patrons an intriguing experience. It offers a range of delicious rum-based drinks in an atmosphere that is inspired by the Caribbean. The dog-friendly atmosphere allows people to bring their canine companions, giving them the chance to enjoy an evening out with the whole family, furbabies included. 

Located on the border of West End and South Brisbane, The Fourth Monkey can be a convenient spot to meet up with friends or family for a few shared drinks. Those looking for an exciting and relaxing space will find The Fourth Monkey to be an ideal venue that provides good company and excellent refreshments.

Brisbane Distillery

Brisbane Distillery in West End is a key contributor to the revitalisation of small-batch artisanal distilling in Australia. Its facility is known for producing quality gin using sugar cane and grain bases, along with a multitude of locally grown herbs and fruits. 

Visitors to the distillery are offered free tastings and bottle sales, while those wishing to explore their creative side can even attend a gin school, where they can craft their very own unique gin recipe. Needless to say, gin lovers won’t want to miss a visit to this singular distillery! 

Customers looking for something special are invited to visit the establishment’s secret cocktail bar, where expert bartenders will be creating drinks with hand-crafted gins. And any existing fans of the distillery will likely be happy to hear that the folks at Brisbane Distillery are currently planning to extend their product range to include exciting new spirits like botanical vodkas and Caribbean-style rums! We may just see some new bottles popping up on the shelves at The Fourth Monkey. 

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Whether you’re a first-time tourist visiting West End in Brisbane or a local looking for something new, the area offers a delightful array of entertainment. From restaurants and cafes to exciting pubs, distilleries, and even live music venues, Brisbane’s West End provides many different options for everyone. 

With so much choice, one is sure to create unique experiences that will stay with them for years. To help first-time visitors make the most of their night out, it is best to research the type of experience one is looking for; select appropriate restaurants, bars and live venues; and plan ahead to ensure an entertaining visit. After all, no one wants to miss out on discovering what the West End has to offer.