These are the 30 best bars in Queensland in 2025

Well, we’re back on deck after what was a huge second year of Bartenders’ Weekender in Brisbane earlier this week. It was wonderful to see so many people, from Brisbane and Queensland and around the country, in the city supporting events, getting to know each other, and having a good time.

And that good feeling was present in numbers in the room at Alice on Monday night for the third annual Boothby Best Bars Queensland awards on night two of Bartenders’ Weekender. It’s always a good night because the Queensland bar scene always shows up and supports one another — it’s such a privilege for us to be a part of it.

On the night, we counted down the 30 best bars in Queensland, and awarded seven major titles along the way:

• the Queensland All Time Great presented by Club Suntory;
• the Best Bar Eats in Queensland presented by Estrella Damm;
• Person of the Year Queensland presented by Jack Daniel’s Bonded;
• the Best New Bar in Queensland presented by Angel’s Envy;
• Best Hospitality Team Queensland presented by Perrier;
• Best Cocktail Bar in Queensland presented by Ilegal Mezcal;
• and the Best Bar in Queensland presented by Never Never.

So who were the winners? We’ve got each of the winners below, followed by the full list of the 30 best bars in Queensland; stay tuned for the update of our Boothby Best Bars Guide, too, coming next week.

Okay, let’s get into it.

THE BEST BAR IN QUEENSLAND PRESENTED BY NEVER NEVER
FROG’S HOLLOW SALOON, BRISBANE

This is the second time in three years that Frog’s Hollow has seen itself landing in the number one spot. It’s a place for whiskey, of course, but they offer some of the best toasties in town, and their drinks list always offer up some of Brisbane’s best cocktails.

PERSON OF THE YEAR QUEENSLAND PRESENTED BY JACK DANIEL’S BONDED
CORBY SMALL, THE GRESHAM

After being a finalist for this award last year, The Gresham venue manager picked up the title for her work not just as a leader in her venue, but for the way she has inspired younger bartenders in Brisbane and beyond. Kudos to you, Corby!

THE BEST COCKTAIL BAR IN QUEENSLAND PRESENTED BY ILEGAL MEZCAL
SANTÉ COCKTAIL BAR, TOOWOOMBA

This award might just have got the biggest cheer of the evening. Santé Cocktail Bar in Toowoomba has been going for six years — you can read about them here — and it’s just a two-person shop: Loic Mouchelin is behind the bar, and co-owner Alexandra Percy runs the floor. They’re truly two favourites of not just Queensland’s bar industry, but of the Australian industry as a whole. Santé, indeed!

THE BEST NEW BAR IN QUEENSLAND PRESENTED BY ANGEL’S ENVY
MILQUETOAST, BRISBANE

The little laneway wine and cocktail bar has done big things over the last year, proving consistently po[pular with Brisbanites and bringing something different to the CBD, typically home to bars with lots of whisky.

THE BEST HOSPITALITY TEAM IN QUEENSLAND PRESENTED BY PERRIER
FROG’S HOLLOW SALOON, BRISBANE

This year Frog’s went back to back, claiming the win for a second straight time. The result is a reflection of the bar’s training program and the calibre of staff on the roster, which is overseen by general manager Samuel Russ.

THE BEST BAR EATS IN QUEENSLAND PRESENTED BY ESTRELLA
MILQUETOAST, BRISBANE

They’re bringing back the butty, folks. The little laneway wine and cocktail bar has a proper food offering — one you can eat at the bar, too — and has made waves for its refashioning of the classic chip butty sandwich. It’s a sandwich so good, you’ll want to order it twice.

THE QUEENSLAND ALL TIME GREAT PRESENTED BY CLUB SUNTORY
SAVILE ROW, FORTITUDE VALLEY

The All Time Great award goes to a bar which not only places high on the Top 30 list, but to one that has been trading for seven years or longer. In other words, it’s a bar that has become an institution in the local bar scene. That’s an apt description for Savile Row: it’s an industry favourite, the cocktail list is always smart and inventive, the team is well-drilled, and they’ve got loads of whisky. That all means that Savile Row is a respite from the madness that can be Fortitude Valley. Well doen to Jacob Cohen, Leah Dunnigan, and the whole team.

The 30 best bars in Queensland in 2025

1. Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane
2. Santé Cocktail Bar, Toowoomba
3. Rosella’s, Burleigh Heads
4. Savile Row, Fortitude Valley
5. Milquetoast, Brisbane
6. The Gresham, Brisbane
7. W.A.T. Den, Mooloolaba
8. Barry Parade Public House, Brisbane
9. Before + After, Brisbane
10. Three Wolves, Cairns
11. Death & Taxes, Brisbane
12. Dark Red Wine Bar, Fortitude Valley
13. Antico, Brisbane
14. Bar Brutus, South Brisbane
15. Flamingos Tiki Bar, Cairns
16. The End Bar, West End
17. Alice, Brisbane
18. Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane
19. Theo’s Social Club, Noosa Heads
20. The Cambus Wallace, Mermaid Beach
21. Ruby, My Dear, Newstead
22. Cantina, Mermaid Beach
23. Osk Bar, Townsville
24. Bar Miette, Brisbane
25. Cobbler, West End
26. Dr Gimlette, Brisbane
27. Bar Hugo Vermouth & Wine, West End
28. LOS, Fortitude Valley
29. Paloma Wine Bar, Burleigh Heads
30. Spill Wine, Maleny