Hip Hop Hooray! 5 Venues for Live Music

There’s nothing like live music to get toes tapping and voices singing along to some of our favourite tunes. 

All around the country, a plethora of venues serve up live music to guests as they sip and eat their way through the weekend with friends and family.

Here are five we think you should add to your repertoire:

All-day brunch, dinner and drinks await discerning Brisbane foodies at The Smug Fig on Jeavons Lane in Stones Corner. A fun and frisky vibe of wall murals, blond wood table settings and potted greenery sets the scene for inspired brunches and catchups over a cocktail or two with friends; while the streetside coffee window provides brews and bites on the go to those time-poor.

 

With regular live music gigs, this is the place to chill out with friends over a Paloma tequila cocktail, with agave syrup, grapefruit, lime and soda, with a tajin rim and chow down on bar tempters such as paprika and lemon marinated chicken skewers with chimichurri; or crumbed barramundi tacos, with slaw, aioli, lime and pickled onion, on corn tortillas.

Casual coastal dining overlooking the Maroochy River awaits at The Boat Shed on The Esplanade in Cotton Tree. With sunset views and a contemporary menu, this Sunshine Cost restaurant is the ideal setting for a romantic dinner, special event or leisurely meal with friends; chill out on the banks of the river alfresco with a cheeky cocktail in hand and watch the world pass by.

 

Friday night and Sunday afternoons mean live music along with tapas plates like honey soy-glazed fried chicken wings, or beer-battered barramundi bites with lemon and aioli; larger plates include choices like scallop and prawn spaghettini with garlic and lemon prawn butter, baby spinach, tomato, herbs, lemon and chilli, or sweet and sticky braised pork belly, creamy slaw, cucumber pickle, kaffir lime and lemongrass rice.

For live music and pub classic fare with an Irish twist head to Celtic Corner Bar & Bistro on Cambridge Parade in Manly. On balmy days, sit streetside with an icy brew and watch the world pass by or head indoors to find walls covered with sporting memorabilia, dark wood table settings and a lively buzz of conversation as locals catch up at their favourite watering hole.

 

There has to be Guinness on the menu and it comes in the form of a signature beef and Guinness pie, served with garlic mash and peas; perhaps devour Paddy’s rump steak with rosemary and red wine sauce, chips and salad, or delve into Thai-style chicken curry, in a light coconut sauce, with rice and seasonal vegetables. Seafood lovers opt for prawns in creamy garlic sauce, with steamed rice and seasonal house salad.

Built as a haven for Margaret River’s emerging surf culture in the 1970s, The Settlers Tavern on Bussell Highway is always evolving to ensure all locals and visitors feel right at home. With a panoramic tree-lined view visible in all directions and framed posters of famous shows and surf events lining the original brick walls, this watering hole welcomes everyone for an ice-cold brew and bite to eat.

 

There’s live music on the menu every week from local and touring artists, best enjoyed with smoked brisket and potato crispy croquettes and horseradish cream sauce; or devour lamb shank in rich gravy with mashed potato, steamed carrots and fresh green beans. Steak lovers opt for Scotch fillet with garlic herb butter, red wine jus, salad greens and chips.

Inspired by a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian ingredients, TUNKI – Ceviche and Woodfire Grill on Brebner Drive brings Nikkei cuisine to West Lakes. Located in the Lakes Hotel, this stylish dining destination is named after the Andean passerine bird of the cotinga family which is the national bird of Peru; settle into curved banquette booths or blond wood tables and grey chairs indoors, or head alfresco and take in water vistas while sipping a cheeky cocktail or two.

 

Local artists serenade guests on Sunday afternoons for a relaxing afternoon of live music along with exclusive drink offers such as $10 tap beers and the signature Chilcano cocktail with Pisco, lime juice and dry ginger ale for just $15; indulge in a delicious meal while you are there such as chipotle marinated lamb cutlets with pickled carrot, cucumber and a wakame salad with baby cucumber, edamame and goji berry on the side.