Opa Bar & Mezze, Brisbane City: Can the sunsets of Santorini compare to the dazzling display of fireworks over the Brisbane River? You can enjoy the spectacle from Opa Bar & Mezze while enjoying a special banquet filled with Greek delights. Pop in for the first sitting (5:00–7:30 pm) and devour the likes of fetta saganaki, lamb shoulder, chargrilled octopus and flash-fried calamari – there are three banquet options to choose from ranging from $110 to $168 per person. Pop in after 8:00 pm and you’ll be able to order from the full a la carte menu. Head to the Opa website to book!

Massimo Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane City: Secure some front-row seats to Riverfire’s fireworks display at Massimo and enjoy an authentic Italian feast as the night comes alive with light. Those enjoying an early sitting between 5:00–7:30 pm will be able to choose between the Sparkle Banquet ($128 per person) with freshly shucked oysters, beef tartare and cavatelli marinara, or the Big Bang Banquet ($148 per person) boasting sand crab cavatelli, raw salmon and prosciutto e melone. Guests with a booking after 8:00 pm will be able to order directly from the a la carte menu. Bookings can be made here. 

Madame Wu, Brisbane City: Riverside institution Madame Wu is pulling out the stops and puttin’ on the Ritz for its 2024 Riverfire celebrations. Revellers can come and enjoy a 3.5-hour drinks package from 5:00 pm, including beer, wine, spirits and a selection of cocktails. Canapes will be available throughout the evening, alongside post-fireworks entertainment to keep the party going all night long. Nab a spot at this premium party via Madame Wu’s website. 

Riverland, Brisbane City: Riverfire is best enjoyed as close to the river as you can get, and you can’t get much closer than Riverland. Celebrate the unparalleled views with an all-inclusive $129 per person offering of roaming canapes, live food stations and palate-pleasing bites. Plus entertainment, DJs and live music will keep the energy high well into the night. Snag a ticket here. 

Fiume Rooftop Bar, Brisbane City: Overlooking the lively Howard Smith Wharves from the heights of the Crystalbrook Vincent, this rooftop bar is perfectly placed to soak up the ambience and excitement of Riverfire. From 5:00–8:00 pm Fiume is throwing a sparking Starlit Soiree with a three-hour beverage package, roaming canapes, food stations and live entertainment for $219 per person. Up your spend for the VIP admission ($299) and gain access to the VIP lounge where you can luxuriate in live cooking stations, oyster caviar and a champagne bar. Secure your spot by heading here.

Tillerman, Brisbane City: There’s nothing like a sensational feast to accompany a mesmerising fireworks display. Top-notch Eagle Street restaurant Tillerman is pulling out all the stops for its nine-course Riverfire banquet this year. Guests will be table to sit down and enjoy oven-baked Hokkaido scallops with scallop roe beurre, Moreton Bay bug dumplings bathing in a rich bisque, chilli tiger prawn linguine and succulent 2GR full-blood wagyu steak. Sittings are available from 5:00 pm onwards – head to the Tillerman website to make a booking.

Popolo, South Brisbane: With a kick-ass view across the river, Popolo is a primo place to pull up a seat for Riverfire. On Saturday August 31 from 5:00 pm, guests can enjoy a three-hour premium beverage package and a delicious menu of Italian eats curated by Head Chef Francesco. Think baked scallops with butter, char-grilled lamb cutlets, tuna tonnato crudo and lemon cheesecake with passionfruit coulis and rose fairy floss. Tickets are $235 per person and can be bought here. 

The Art Boat: Change up your typical wine-and-dine Riverfire and witness the show from the centre of the action with The Art Boat. This Brisbane Festival staple has been reimagined by local collective BRIEFS FACTORY and The Little Red Company, bringing mesmerising performances to the high seas of Brisbane River. RnB soul songstress Prinnie Stevens, powerhouse pop and gospel vocalists Lai Utovou and Rachel Everett-Jones, and DJ Mik Eastermaa unite for an extravagant night under the dazzling firework display – complete with a full bar and snacks. Ready to set sail? Purchase tickets here. 

Fridays, Brisbane City: Lively locale Fridays is setting the mood for a spectacular night with stellar views of Riverfire’s firework and light show and excellent vibes! A general admission ticket is just $45 and includes a gift on arrival. From 5:00 pm things will be kicking off with live music performances and DJs till late, dedicated to playing only bangers all night long. Grab your tickets here. 

Eagles Nest, Kangaroo Point: Perched atop The Point Brisbane Hotel, Eagles Nest rooftop bar is the perfect place to watch the night sky light up when Riverfire rolls into town. From 5:00–9:00 pm, enjoy a four-hour all-inclusive food and drink party package, including live entertainment and a photobooth to capture the memories. Get your tickets now from $209 online. 

Mr Percival’s, Brisbane City: Mr Percival’s will be turning on the sound system and firing up the party for its annual Riverfire celebration this year. Music, cocktails and good times will be flowing from 4:00 pm till 3:00 am. City View bookings are available from $100 per person or splurge from an Absolute Riverfront reserved table with guaranteed waterfront views, complete with drink on arrival from $150 per person. To secure the best seat in the house, bookings are essential, so head over to Mr Percival’s website. 

Felons Brewing Co., Brisbane City: Felons Brewing Co. will be bringing the bang as Riverfire ignites in 2023. Secure your perfect seat under the star-lit Story Bridge and dig into the mouth-watering set menu of elevated eats for $85 per person. Savour the Riverfire  experience alongside a cracking array of frosty refreshments on tap and live DJs sparking up the brew deck long after the fireworks have fizzled. Book online now to secure your spot or just walk in and pick your perfect vantage point when you arrive.

Ciao Papi, Brisbane City: Gather your famiglia and get ready to watch the sky light up this Riverfire at Ciao Papi! Enjoy a delicious four-course feast that includes all of your favourite Ciao Papi dishes served share-style, including freshly shucked oysters, classic patanegra prosciutto pizzetta, chargrilled sirloin and more. Plus a spritz on arrival to keep your whistle wet. Tickets are $150 per adult, with tickets for bambinis under 14 just $35. Making a booking online.

Stanley, Brisbane City: Join the throng at Stanley for front-row seats to the firework display as Riverfire kicks off Brisbane Festival on Saturday August 31. Savour the celebrations with a specially curated banquet from head chef Louis Tikaram. Kick the night off with a cocktail on arrival, followed by three courses of share-style Stanley signatures and limited edition dishes including freshly shucked oysters, lobster and truffle dumplings and stir-fried black Angus. Tickets are $185 and can be purchased online. 

Felons Barrel Hall, Brisbane City: Treat your tastebuds to terrific eats and beers while watching the sky light up at Felons Barrel Hall. Opt for an indoor package at $65 per person and dig into a grazing menu full of vibrant flavours with a vantage point to match. Or, score the comfiest seats in the house with the Bean Bag package for two people at $350 per person and savour oysters, caviar and champagne among other elevated eats. The festivities are expected to keep rolling all night long with live performances and DJ sets. Walk-ins are also welcome to mosey down and pull up a seat on the deck. Secure your spot under the disco ball by making a booking online. 

Greca, Brisbane City: Head to Greca and enjoy this year’s Riverfire display.  Take in the technicolour show over a mouth-watering share-style Greek feast. Choose the Celebration package and stay close to the action inside with a banquet menu and a two-hour beverage package for $185 per person. Or opt for a prime position outside with a Premium package which secures your table all night long. The menu features signature dishes from oven-baked lamb shoulder with Greek yoghurt, roast potatoes with garlic and parsley, and smashed filo Katoumari with walnuts and cream. Make a booking online.

Yoko, Brisbane City: Entertain your eyes and taste buds simultaneously at Yoko this Riverfire. The Japanese eatery is hosting two dining options. The $185 per person package offers a Japanese feast, featuring nikkei snapper ceviche, charcoal kitchen, pork gyoza and more, as well as a two-hour drinks package of selected beer and wines. The $280 premium experience includes the eatery’s most coveted dishes from the soft shell crab temaki to the miso eggplant sticks, Koji wagyu flank and togarashi-doused edamame. The premium two-hour beverage package also boasts wines, beers and house cocktails. And yes, that does include the slushie cocktail and the flavour of the night is set to be passionfruit and mandarin. Bookings are limited, so get in ASAP. Make a booking here.

Valley Hops Brewing, Fortitude Valley: Drink in views with ice-cold brews this Riverfire on the rooftop of Valley Hops Brewing. Valley Hops Brewing will once again be offering its killer view of the Story Bridge, The Valley and the city skyline. Enjoy freshly brewed craft beer on tap and savour fare from the grill and woodfired pizza oven while local DJs set the vibe. Plus, even snag a table from Friday August 30 and catch the jet practice fly-overs as well. Bookings can be made here. 

YOT Club, Brisbane River: Experience one of Brisbane’s most anticipated yearly events on YOT Club. YOT Club is proud to present an array of entertaining and luxurious offerings, each of which has been designed specifically to create an exceptional Riverfire experience like no other. If you want some of the best seats in the house to see this year’s spectacular fireworks display, book your tickets online now. And be quick, the VIP booths have already sold out. 

Lina Rooftop, Fortitude Valley: Take it sky-high this Riverfire and score sky-high seats at one of the best vantage points Brisbane has to offer. Make your way to Lina Rooftop and indulge in a $225 offering, which will see you enjoy a three-hour all-inclusive food-and-drink package topped off with a decadent dessert station and fresh seafood station. Plus roving canapes with tempura bug rolls, duck parfait tartlets and cote de boeuf sliders, just to name a few. Sippers will be able to enjoy spritz cocktails, Estrella lager on tap and premium wines, while Lina’s resident DJs will enhance the poolside vibes. Book a table here.

Bacchus, South Bank: Dine on a deletable degustation this Riverfire at Bacchus. Fireworks lovers can come early for the first seating before walking into South Bank to enjoy the show, while night owls can spend the evening at the restaurant and experience the show away from the crowds. The menu features dishes like house-made focaccia, soy-cured kingfish, Mooloolaba king prawns and black Angus eye fillet. Tickets are on sale from $139 online.

Soleil Pool Bar, South Bank: This Riverfire, book a booth at Soleil Pool Bar and take in breathtaking views of Brisbane City as it lights up in glowing colours. Experience the ultimate VIP treatment with premium service, then dance the night away with live entertainment. Bookings require a $20 per person deposit, that can be redeemed at the bar. Reservations are limited, so head to the Soleil Pool Bar website to book a spot. 

W Brisbane, Brisbane City: Unlock the ultimate Riverfire staycation at W Brisbane, and enjoy sweeping views of the Brisbane River South Bank, Mount Coot-tha and beyond at the WET Deck. Guests staying overnight will gain exclusive access to the WET Deck, which will pair live DJs, curious cocktails and belly-pleasing bites with prime seating for an unrivalled view of the firework festivities. Head here to make a booking.

The Lex, Brisbane City: For a salivation-worthy feast and primo positioning for Riverfire viewing, be sure to make a reservation at The Lex. For $220 per person, you can secure one of the best seats in Brisbane for Riverfire. Begin with a complimentary glass of Lex Fix and then feast on a flavour-packed three-course menu featuring the likes of tater tots with Avruga Caviar, Wagyu steak and New York cheesecake with a twist. Secure your spot by heading here.

Tenya, Brisbane City: Tenya Japanese restaurant will be giving Riverfire guests exclusive access to its luxurious terrace, boasting breathtaking views across the river to South Bank and beyond. For $150 per person, you can indulge in a delicious Riverfire buffet, stacked with the likes of steak with black pepper, miso eggplant and sushi. Plus, kids aged six to 11 half-price and entry for kids aged four and under are completely free! Head here to book. 

Phat Boy, Brisbane City: Phat Boy Brisbane’s is serving up its sensational set menu for Riverfire this year. The Thai eatery will transform into a Riverfire party, complete with its famous Kung Tung seafood and more share dishes. Enjoy enticing eats that blend local flavours and global inspirations, filling your belly before or after the firework festivities. Head here to make a booking.

Image credit: W Brisbane