Housed in one of Queensland’s most iconic buildings, The Gresham is the whisky bar that set the standard for the rest of the city, and has won more awards than the snappy bartenders can rattle off the top of their heads. While whisky remains the focus, they’ve also earned a reputation for seriously good cocktails and even serve coffee from 7am Monday – Friday, making sure Brisbane gets its requisite fix at all times of the day.

Peel back the bright orange door on this seemingly quaint high-street shop and you’ll find a hidden wonderland of whisky. Tucked away in plain sight, Saville Row is only metres from the main strip of Brisbane’s most infamous nighttime precinct, Fortitude Valley. Aside from being one of the best whisky bars in Brisbane, Saville Row is also one of the most diverse. The bar has a carefully curated cocktail list, 20 rotating wines, draught beer, a full fridge of sherries and amaro, not to mention over 900 spirits on-hand at any one time. This is one bar that surprises from start to finish, but we should have seen it coming. Saville Row is the sister operation to fellow Brisbane whisky bar favourite, Cobbler.

While whisky is the focus of this West End small bar, the real highlight is the service. The wank-free environment lends itself to a great night of single malts, cocktails and rock n roll without the need for pretentiousness. The team here only make drinks, so food is a BYO affair, which we think is a massive plus. Rock in with some cheese and stay for a tour of the continents, in the form of whisky and whiskey.

Much like the spirit itself, a number of Brisbane’s best whisky bars get better with age. Located in the city’s oldest laneway, Death and Taxes is a hidden gem. The bar takes inspiration from the underground venues of London and Paris, with the grand back bar displaying over 1000 spirit bottles. If you in town for the night or you are a Brisbane local, you’re going to love Death and Taxes. It’s inevitable.

Hidden beneath Brisbane’s iconic Regatta Hotel is a secret speakeasy that is celebrating all things whisky. The Walrus Club pays genuine homage to the 1920/30’s Temperance Movement, better known as Prohibition. From neats, to sours, The Walrus Club is a Brisbane whisky bar that can do it all. A true experience for hardened whisky fans.

Located within one of the state’s best-loved pubs, The Morrison, Naked Whisky Bar is the down-to-Earth way to enjoy Brisbane’s burgeoning whisky scene. With over 200 drops on offer, there’s enough top-shelf gear in stock to satisfy any palate and budget, and the in-house restaurant turns out famous char-grilled steaks to hordes of happy drinkers and diners every day.

Made for whisky aficionados who also want a cracking lunch or fancy dinner, Malt dining combines a chef’s-hatted restaurant with a solid selection of brown liquors, housed above a bottle shop which sells some of the malts on offer. The 150-year old exposed brick archways lend themselves to the quaint yet relevant menu from chef Andy Birse, whose dishes are a good as they look. Split across three levels, Malt Dining is a must if you’re in Brisbane in need of a dram to whet your whistle.