11 Best Nightlife in Queensland, Australia

This award-winning saloon-style bar on bustling Caxton Street mixes old-school American charm with modern craft brews and a hefty range of spirits (including more than 100 rye whiskies). Decked out in vintage taxidermy and moody chandeliers, the retro Americana vibe continues with the Southern-theme bar food, including po'boys, corn dogs, and popcorn shrimp and the latest addition, Ben's burgers. A rollicking mix of country and rockabilly tunes burst from the stage and speakers.

Townsville's historic post office now houses this sociable gastropub, which serves upmarket, bistro-style meals and boutique beers brewed on-site. The owners have combined modern finishes with the building's original design, incorporating old post-office fittings, such as the main bar, once the stamp counter, to create a venue with character and polish.

Popular with visitors and locals alike, this sleek bar-lounge off the main foyer of The Reef Hotel Casino has live bands (including big-name acts) and great atmosphere. Get a table early and enjoy a quiet drink and some tapas before the crowds pile in.

An "urban oasis" with fanciful design, a retractable glass roof, and street-front waterfall flowing over its contemporary architectural facade, Cloudland restaurant and nightclub woos well-heeled locals and tourists alike with an extensive drinks menu, cut-above food, and an exciting, expensive ambience.

Sleek and sophisticated, Cru Bar + Cellar has leather ottomans, a long onyx bar, circa-1800 French chandeliers, and a fine-wine-loving clientele. Cru's huge cellar houses hundreds of top Australian vintages, to drink on-site or later; the cocktail menu is also extensive and impressive. Cheese tasting plates are available all day. The dinner menu, designed by an award-winning chef, has a focus on Australian ingredients.

Located on the water in the Cruise Liner Terminal, Hemingway's Brewery is in a historic building, has a relaxed vibe, and there's plenty of room for families or groups to spread out. Enjoy Trinity Inlet views over one of the eight in-house beers on tap. There is also a classic food menu featuring local produce served in burgers and salads, or on pizzas, for those who want something to pair with their pale ale. It's a fun venue with lovely views and good beers.

This lively lounge bar is fun if you like sing-alongs and know the words to hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and today. Every night, pianists with vocal skills belt out a medley of tunes (some requested by patrons) on baby grands to an appreciative crowd of thirty- and fortysomethings. Share a plate of tapas, book a private karaoke room, or grab a cosmo and hit the dance floor.

Find flamboyant, round-the-clock entertainment alongside 70-plus blackjack, baccarat, craps, sic bo, Texas Hold'em poker, and keno tables, and more than 1,400 gaming machines at this casino. There are also several private gaming and members' club rooms. Thanks to the casino's ongoing A$345-million expansion, there are seven more restaurants and eight bars to come. The elaborate new 2,300-seat showroom hosts glitzy stage shows, touring acts, and a range of concerts.

Wall-papered walls and a glorious wood-topped bar create a relaxed vibe at this discreet watering hole. It serves fine Australian wines, classic cocktails, and customized “grazing boards” to a sophisticated, largely local crowd. A long, well chosen wine list has plenty of fine Aussie vintages by the glass. Sit in air-conditioned comfort or on the shady patio and chill out to jazz while you tipple and graze.

A prime waterside location and a big, breezy deck draw an upbeat, mixed crowd to The Pier Bar. They flock here for wood-fired pizzas, well-priced drinks, and laid-back Sunday sessions with live music and DJs. The bar gets noisier, younger, and more crowded as the night wears on, but service is friendly and food is palatable, even when the bar’s jam-packed.

Dominating Townsville's waterfront, this high-rise casino-hotel complex is an entertainment hub, containing a luxury hotel, six on-site restaurants and bars, performance space featuring regular live shows, and more than 370 slot machines and 20-plus gaming tables. If you choose to stay over, the 194-room hotel has well-appointed rooms, suites, and a two-bedroom apartment.