Top Things to Do in Fortitude Valley
Are you looking for something to do in Fortitude Valley?
Known to locals as “the valley,” Fortitude Valley is known for its nightlife, but there are plenty of other things to do in this Brisbane neighborhood.
The area of Fortitude Valley on James Street has an entirely different vibe than Chinatown, the laneways, and nightclubs.
One thing about Fortitude Valley is, day or night, there is something to do.
We spent 2.5 years living on the edge of Fortitude Valley and it became our go-to for meals out, walks around the neighborhood, and finding fairy doors.
Keep reading to find the best things to do in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
Things to do in Fortitude Valley
Take a Tour
The easiest way to learn about a new neighborhood is by taking a tour, and Brisbane Greeters offers a free tour of Fortitude Valley.
Learn about Australia’s first dedicated entertainment precinct on a 2-hour walking tour around Fortitude Valley.
If you are more interested in fashion than history, there is a James Street Style Trail tour that explores the shops on James Street. The James Street Style Trail tour includes exclusive gifts and discounts.
Is true crime more your style? Check out the Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour. Don’t forget to bring your torch on this spooky 1.5-hour walking tour.
Another true crime tour option is Vice City, a Fortitude Valley walking tour that explores life during the 1970s and 1980s. Vice City departs at 5 p.m. on most Friday and Saturday nights.
Shop the Boutiques on James Street
See a whole different side to the generally gritty Fortitude Valley with the upscale shops and restaurants on James Street.
James Street is filled with boutique shops, bakeries, and restaurants, as well as a few high-end chain stores such as Pottery Barn Kids, Kathmandu, and Mecca.
Go Swimming
Valley Pool is located in Fortitude Valley. Swimmers can participate in open swim times or fitness classes at the Valley Pool. There is a shop with swim essentials and snacks.
Play in an Arcade
Play old-school pinball games and arcade games at Netherworld.
While kids are allowed at Netherworld until 5 p.m., they also host a family-friendly event called Little Monsters once a month. Netherworld has a full bar and restaurant filled with vegan options that can be altered to add dairy and meat.
Play a Good Old-Fashioned Board Game
While at Netherworld, check out their collection of over 100 board games. All of their board games are free to play.
See a Show
For movie festivals, the latest movies, and independent films, head to Palace James Street in Fortitude Valley. Palace James Street has 10 upgraded theatres, and they serve wine.
For theatre and live music, head to Tivoli, where there is a show almost every night of the week. Some of the shows at Tivoli are all-ages, while others are 18+. There is a full bar and lots of bar snacks to choose from at Tivoli.
Judith Wright Arts Centre is a performance arts center with a wide variety of entertainment.
Explore Chinatown
Brisbane’s Chinatown is located in Fortitude Valley and can easily be distinguished by the traditional Chinese gates and stone guard lions.
Chinatown is a pedestrian street on Duncan Street, which is parallel to the Brunswick Street Mall.
While there is a larger Chinese area in Sunnybank, south of Brisbane, Fortitude Valley’s Chinatown has a variety of Chinese restaurants and events throughout the year.
Dance the Night Away
Fortitude Valley is known for its nightlife.
Some of the fun options in the Valley include:
For those who want to explore Fortitude Valley’s nightclubs, check out Retro’s, Prohibition, Beat Mega Club, or The MET Brisbane.
Play Miniature Golf in an Old Church
Holey Moley has multiple locations in Brisbane, including in an old church building in Fortitude Valley. The 2-story building now houses 18 holes of miniature golf, 9 holes on each floor.
The full bar with themed cocktails isn’t even the most fun thing at Holey Moley. Each hole has its own theme, from E.T. to the Simpsons to the games Operation and Monopoly.
Kids can join in on the fun until 5 p.m. each night when the venue becomes 18+.
Rock Climb Indoors
RockSports offers rock climbing experiences in Fortitude Valley.
You can join a class, attend a party, or book a solo climb at RockSports.
Play Darts
Darts aren’t just for dive bars anymore. At Oche in Fortitude Valley, the darts are electronic and there is a full bar and restaurant. Oche also has a Shufl Court, which is like a mini shuffleboard court. Those who wish can join in on the Shufl Tournament.
Explore the Laneways
Brisbane is filled with laneways, and Fortitude Valley is no exception.
Winn Lane has independent shops, The Zoo music venue, and a few restaurants to choose from.
Bakery Lane is filled with restaurants and hosts a craft coffee festival. There is a miniature fairy door along the wall entrance to Bakery Lane
California Lane has coffee, local boutiques, and many meal options.
Fortitude Valley’s laneways are known for their events. Valley Laneway Markets take place multiple times each year, and the Hidden Lanes Festival is a free event with lots of music events in the Fortitude Valley Laneways.
Spot Fairy Doors
A few fairy doors are located inside the laneways in Fortitude Valley. Find 2 in Bakery Lane and another in Winn Lane.
Learn about Wine
Learn all about wine or sit back and drink some at City Winery.
Workshops are available in wine blending, and there are a few options for wine tastings.
Lunch and dinner are served at City Winery.
Admire Art
Besides street art, here are a few options on where to admire art in Fortitude Valley.
Paint and Sip
Would you rather make your own art?
Paint and Sip classes are available at multiple locations in Fortitude Valley, with a large variety of themes.
For a more traditional Paint and Sip option, Pinot and Picasso Fortitude Valley has nature, people, and pet paintings. Pinot and Picasso usually offer their paintings on canvas, though there are dates when other items, such as plant pots, are painted.
Netherworld has Paints and Pints where there is always a theme and a unique item to be painted. Each ticket includes a drink, painting supplies, and an item to be painted.
Splatter Paint
If paint and sip sound a little too neat and calm, check out Rose Soiree, which now has a Fortitude Valley location.
My kids and I, along with their friend and his mom, participated in a splatter paint session and Rose Soiree, and it was so much fun. Plus, I love our unique artwork now hanging in our living room.
Take a True Crime Tour
Hear true crime stories from Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley on the Moonlight State Fortitude Valley Crime Tour. Don’t forget your torch on this 1.5-hour spooky walking tour.
Eat a Meal Made from Mushrooms Grown in Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley may seem like the last place you would expect a farm to be, but Urban Valley grows gourmet mushrooms here. Check out pictures of their beautiful mushrooms on Instagram.
Their website lists where the next mushroom-inspired meal will be held, and some of the meals include a tour of the mushroom farm.
Enjoy Music and Drinks at Keyboards and Cocktails
Every Wednesday night, Jubilee Hotel hosts Keyboards and Cocktails, a version of dueling pianos.
Play Trivia
Trivia nights are always a fun time, and with all of the bars and pubs in Fortitude Valley, there are plenty to choose from. Here are several trivia night options:
Play Drag Bingo
Bingo is not just for the oldies! If trivia is not your thing (or even if it is), you can try your luck at bingo.
Sing Your Heart Out
Another fun option in the Valley is to attend a karaoke night or book a karaoke booth for your friends.
Dance to Country Music
Honky Tonks, a country music bar in Fortitude Valley, offers live music every Friday and Saturday night.
They also have really fun and fancy cocktails, including Campfire PB&J.
Where to Eat in Fortitude Valley
Breakfast
For jiggly pancakes, delicious veggie bowls, and my favorite mural, try Honey Dew Valley.
Lunch
Pick out exactly how much of each of the Mediterranean options at Sunshine and pay what it weighs.
Dinner
Eat upscale Japanese cuisine at Honto, try Indonesian food at Warisan, or head to Woka Woka in Fortitude Valley’s Chinatown.
My family also loves Gung Ho! Dumpling Ramen Bar.
Dessert
Jocelyn’s Provisions offers delicious cakes, slices, and other goodies, as does Brooki’s Bakehouse. Unfortunately, neither bakery is open late. If you are looking for a late-night dessert option, try Gelato Messina or Gerard’s.
Accommodations in Fortitude Valley
Budget Option
Bunk Brisbane is a 2-star hostel with private rooms, family-style rooms, single-sex rooms, and co-ed rooms sleeping 1-20 guests. Some rooms at Bunk Brisbane have private bathrooms, while others have shared bathrooms.
Though there are family-style rooms, Bunk Brisbane is for those 18+. There is an outdoor pool, a 24-hour desk, a shared kitchen, and activities such as movie night, live music, and a game room at Bunk Brisbane.
Luxury Options
Calilie Hotel on James Street is a 5-star hotel with studios and suites, an outdoor pool, a bar and restaurant, and city views, and is within walking distance of all of the boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants on James Street.
Ovolo the Valley is a 5-star hotel in the Emporium. Ovolo offers studios and suites, an outdoor pool, self-service laundry, a bar and restaurant, and 24-hour room service.
Things to Do in Fortitude Valley Wrap-Up
Though the Valley sometimes gets a bad rep, there are plenty of fun things to do there.
Known for its bars and clubs, Fortitude Valley also has art studios, theatres, and laneways filled with restaurants, shops, and hidden fairy doors.
Whether you are shopping on James Street, wandering through Chinatown, or playing mini-golf in an old church, there are plenty of things to do in Fortitude Valley.
Fortitude Valley FAQ
Known as “the valley,” Fortitude Valley is known for its nightclubs.
In addition to its late-night scene, there is a Chinatown in Fortitude Valley as well as music venues, art galleries, unique shopping, and a street of upscale boutiques.
Fortitude Valley is an inner suburb of Brisbane and is near the CBD.
Brunswick Street is the main street in Fortitude Valley, and it is partially a pedestrian street filled with restaurants and bars.
Brisbane Neighborhood Guides
Check out our other neighborhood guides to the inner-city suburbs of Brisbane. The following neighborhoods are all within walking distance of Fortitude Valley.
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