The ebb and flow of the Brisbane city skyline has seen high-rises shoot up and heritage buildings fall, but one stately structure has stood its ground since 1885. Positioned in a historic nook of the CBD where Queen, Creek and Adelaide Streets converge, The Gresham Bar has witnessed some fascinating scratches in our city’s timeline. Originally intended to house the Queensland National Bank, no expenses were spared in the crafting of this 19th-century beauty, which has been shaped from New Zealand limestone and Murphy’s Creek sandstone.

The Gresham windows swing open at 7:00 am each weekday morning when the heart-starting scent of Toby’s Estate coffee escapes from the grinders, but those after a harder drop will have to wait ’til the clock clicks over to PM and the cedar doors crack open in the main saloon.

Combining old-world charm with a playful edge, this is the kind of setting where traditionalist whisky doyens can comfortably share the bar with cocktail-slurping hipsters. Eyeballs will pop over the extensive line-up of whiskies, but hover your smartphone over the QR Code on the menu or peek into the ‘trophy cabinet’ in the back room and you’ll meet even more exclusive gems. The signature cocktail Gresham Lane is available off the tap and sees authentic US cherry cola combined with rye whisky and lime, with punters also having the option to upgrade to a spiked spider by adding a sneaky scoop of vanilla-bean ice-cream. A selection of craft beers, ciders and international wines round out the pinball flipper of a menu, launching revellers on their merry way to a darn good night.

The Gresham Bar
308 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Open: Coffee nook Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. Bar Monday to Wednesday and Saturday 4:00 pm to 3:00 am, Thursday and Friday 1:00 pm to 3:00 am