Move over Melbourne, Queensland’s capital is giving the southern-state counterpart a run for its money when it comes to hip laneway culture. Over the past decade, Brisbane’s historic laneways have been slowly transforming into cool bars, hidden cafés, and cute boutiques.
Each laneway is an epic collision of inner-city living where art, culture, and people come together to drink, eat, or play. Finding where to stay is the easy part. Oaks Hotels place you right around Brisbane city centre, so when a laneway bar or late-night bite calls, you’re already there.
Ready to explore Brisbane’s best laneways, restaurants, bars, and shops? Here’s your go-to guide.
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Fish Lane, South Brisbane
A hop, skip, and a jump from Brisbane’s beating cultural heart, Fish Lane is a vibrant laneway full of casual restaurants and wine bars. Get lost down the lane spotting street art, hop from bar to bar with friends, make an early reservation for a pre-show dinner, or plan a date night at Fish Lane.
Local favourites include Julius Pizzeria, Chu the Phat, Gelato Messina, Hello Please, Butler Wine Bar and Billykart, but this lucky laneway is home to dozens of cool spots and always promises a good time.
Burnett Lane, Brisbane City
Well and truly the pioneer of Brisbane’s laneway culture, Burnett Lane is up there among the city’s busiest laneway haunts. Once a prison exercise yard, Burnett Lane, named after colonial surveyor James Burnett, has turned into one of the best spots for great coffee, after-work drinks, or late-night cocktails in the city centre. Squeeze by in the morning, try Felix for Goodness or Brew Café, then slink back around 5 pm for a cheeky drink at Super Whatnot, Death & Taxes, or Alba Bar. Make sure to take time to admire large-scale street art and small hidden installations or artworks dotted down the laneway.
Gresham Lane, Brisbane City
This small, central laneway is a hidden Brisbane gem with a strong local following. Settle in at Malt Dining for refined modern Australian dishes, or head to one of Australia’s most awarded bars, The Gresham, for an after-work whisky or expertly mixed drink.
Albert Lane, Brisbane City
Tucked in the heart of Brisbane CBD, Albert Lane is an international restaurant laneway where you can taste dishes from all over the world. From Italian bites at Vapiano to Mexican favourites at Comuna Cantina, this laneway is perfect for travellers looking for a quick culinary tour without leaving the city centre.
Eagle Lane, Brisbane City
Ready to boogie in one of the best laneways in Brisbane? Shake it out down Eagle Lane. Just look for the secret door with a staircase that leads to the basement. Down here, you’ll find the dimly lit Brooklyn Standard, a brilliant live music bar with a huge range of craft beer.
If you need a feed before you go dancing, try American sports bar Fat Angel for all the American fast-food classics.
Winn Lane, Fortitude Valley
Rustic and a little bit grungy, Winn Lane might be the hippest of Brisbane’s laneway restaurants and bars scene. Find the cool crowd gathered at Winn Lane in the heart of Fortitude Valley. Here you’ll unearth a glowing collision of music, haircuts, burgers and art.
There’s always a queue at Brisbane-fave Ben’s Burgers, the folks at Dreamboat or WINNston Hair will cut or shave you a fresh alternative look, and you can pick up sweet local threads at House of Cards.
Bakery Lane, Fortitude Valley
After exploring Winn Lane, venture over to Bakery Lane, the second of three cool Valley laneways. From dawn till dusk, there’s something to do, see, and eat at this dead-end Brisbane laneway.
If you’re a big fan of brunch and good coffee, stop by The New Black Café. Drop in for lunch at Nom Nom Korean and browse records at Phase 4. Then return by dark for cheese and carbs at Johnny’s Pizzeria and a few drinks at Laruche Bar.
California Lane, Fortitude Valley
Named after the California Café, a Brisbane institution from the 1950s, the Valley’s third laneway resurrects the legacy of good times and retro nostalgia.
Step down the sun-drenched, pastel-coloured California Lane to discover micro-boutiques and pop-up stores run by small Brisbane designers, along with tables that spill out across the lane from Fat Dumpling, Reverend's Fine Coffee, and Giardinetto.
