West End Brisbane is an inner-city suburb beside South Bank on the Brisbane River, known for its multicultural cafes and restaurants, a big Saturday market, craft beer and live music. Most visits revolve around Boundary Street, the main strip, plus Davies Park and the riverside at Orleigh Park.
It is a suburb to wander on foot with no fixed plan. This guide picks out places that are open and trading, then covers getting there and where to start.
West End markets at Davies Park
The West End Markets run every Saturday at Davies Park, on Montague Road at the corner of Jane Street, with more than 150 stalls selling produce, food, handmade goods and boutique fashion. Trading is 6 am to 2 pm from March to November and 6 am to 1 pm from December to February, rain, hail or shine. Entry is free and the listing notes public toilets. Pets are welcome, but the organisers ask you to enquire first.
Parking can be limited on Saturdays. Souths Leagues Club has paid parking at its Jane Street entrance, and the organisers suggest public transport, cycling or a rideshare. For hours, parking and dogs in detail, see our West End Markets guide, or check the market’s page for special Christmas twilight markets.
West End cafes and restaurants
Boundary Street and the streets around it are lined with cafes and restaurants from many cuisines, so it is easy to follow your nose. A few that list their hours on their own pages:
- Morning After is a breakfast and coffee cafe on the corner of Cambridge and Vulture Streets, listed as open 7 am to 3 pm daily.
- Don Gino is a restaurant at 65 Hardgrave Road. It lists Tuesday to Thursday from 4 pm and Friday to Sunday from 12 pm, so it suits dinner or a long weekend lunch.
- Covent Garden at 142 Boundary Street is a gin bar and restaurant. It lists more than 700 gins and opens Wednesday to Friday from 12 pm and on weekends from 11 am.
Opening hours change, so check each venue’s own page before you go.
Craft beer, bars and live music
West End has a run of craft beer bars within a short walk of each other. Archive Beer Boutique at 100 Boundary Street lists live music, DJs, pool, darts, bingo and trivia. Brisbane Brewing Co. at 124 Boundary Street opens from 4 pm Monday to Thursday and from 12 pm Friday to Sunday.
The Boundary Hotel at 137 Boundary Street dates back to 1864 and has a beer garden called The Backyard and a rooftop space. It describes itself as a precinct for live music, entertainment and events, with the bar open until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 2 am on Friday and Saturday. Check its page for what is on.
Books, art and the arts
- Avid Reader is the independent bookshop at 193 Boundary Street, open every day: 8:30 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday and 8:30 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
- Thomas Dixon Centre at 406 Montague Road is the home of Queensland Ballet.
- Metro Arts at 97 Boundary Street shows contemporary art and live performance, with exhibitions and workshops.
- Street art: Visit Brisbane points to work by Sofles at the corner of Boundary and Melbourne Streets and a crocodile by Hafleg on Norfolk Street. Brisbane Greeter runs a free guided tour of the suburb’s art.
Walk the river at Orleigh Park
Orleigh Park is a riverside spot for picnics. The West End River Walk follows the river’s edge with views across to St Lucia, Milton and the city skyline. See our Orleigh Park guide. The Orleigh Street ferry stop is where bus route 199 begins, so it is an easy way back to the city.
Planning your visit
- How long: a morning at the market and a wander, or a full day with lunch, a beer and some live music.
- Best time: Saturday morning for the markets. Evenings suit the bars and live music.
- What to bring: a bag for market shopping. Venues have their own hours, so check before you go.
Getting to West End and parking
West End is about 10 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD, about 4 kilometres, without traffic.
Translink route 199 starts at the West End ferry stop on Orleigh Street and runs through Boundary Street, Vulture Street and Hardgrave Road to the city, Fortitude Valley and Teneriffe. Boundary Street stops include West End Junction and Jane Street. Check the Translink journey planner for times.
On market Saturdays parking is limited, so public transport or a rideshare is the easier choice. Paid parking is available at Souths Leagues Club on Jane Street.
Nearby
- South Bank Parklands – the suburb next door.
- Kurilpa Bridge – the walking bridge across the river.
- Highgate Hill Park – another green space close by.
- West End Markets – the Saturday market in more detail.
- More in the Restaurants, Cafes and Brisbane guides.
You might also like
- Regatta Hotel (Toowong)
- Riverbar and Kitchen (Brisbane City)
- Story Bridge Hotel (Kangaroo Point)
Quick answers
What is West End Brisbane known for?
Multicultural cafes and restaurants on Boundary Street, the Saturday West End Markets, craft beer and live music.
When are the West End Markets?
Every Saturday from 6 am, to 2 pm from March to November and to 1 pm from December to February, at Davies Park. Entry is free.
How do you get to West End from the CBD?
By car it is about 10 minutes. Translink route 199 runs between West End and the city and stops on Boundary Street.
Is there parking at the West End Markets?
Parking can be limited on Saturdays. Souths Leagues Club has paid parking at the Jane Street entrance, and the organisers suggest public transport, cycling or a rideshare.
Where can you hear live music in West End?
The Boundary Hotel describes itself as a precinct for live music and events, and Archive Beer Boutique lists live music too. Check each venue’s page for what is on.
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