Sip your way through some of Ipswich’s best bars

Raise your glass to these top watering holes!
03 Jul 2023
Ashleigh Howarth, Freelance writer

Are you looking for a cool new drinking spot where you can wet your whistle?

You will find no shortage of watering holes in Ipswich, and to help you plan your visit, we have rounded up some of best bars and venues for you to raise a glass at.  We will cheers to that!

Imbibis Craft Distillery

Gin tasting at Imbibis Craft Distillery

​If you’re a self-confessed gin lover, head down to Ipswich’s newest craft distillery Imbibis for a tipple or two. The distillery is owned by renowned distiller Jason Hannay, who has won multiple awards for his creations. Each bottle is handcrafted using premium Australian ingredients including bottle brush, lemon myrtle, native pepper berry and anise myrtle. Here you can try a tasting paddle and even bring your own cheese platter or charcuterie board for the ultimate indulgence. The cellar door is open every Friday from 10am-6pm, and Saturday to Thursday by appointment.

Imbibis Craft Distillery is located at 5/1 Gliderway St, Bundamba.

The PA Hotel

Prince Alfred Hotel

​You’re going to need more than a few visits to try all 72 craft beers and ciders on tap at Tap’d bar inside the PA Hotel – making it the largest selection of craft beers in one bar on this side of the equator. The taps cover a range of beer styles from your favorite thirst-quenching lagers to bold, robust stouts and everything in between. If you can’t decide, try a Tap’d tasting paddle.

The PA Hotel is located at 170 Brisbane Road Booval.

Bakehouse Steakhouse

Bakehouse Steakhouse cocktails

According to the owners of Bakehouse Steakhouse, it’s not Friday without some fizz. Kickstart your weekend by ordering one of their signature cocktails, which are as delicious as they are pretty. Inside near the bar is a great place to sit, or bag a spot at the large outdoor area at the back.

Bakehouse Steakhouse is located on the corner of Darling St and West St, Ipswich.

The Rusty Nail

The Rusty Nail Bar has a great cocktail menu!

Featuring an impressive cocktail list and an underground wine bar where wine tasting events are held frequently, The Rusty Nail is a popular spot to drop by once the working day is done. The menu boasts a cocktail for every occasion, so you can have a drink in one hand, delicious tapas in the other, all while enjoying some live music by local performers.

The Rusty Nail is located at 44 Ipswich City Mall, Ipswich. 

Orion Hotel

Redbull cocktail and Pina Colada at Orion Hotel

With multiple areas to enjoy a drink with mates, there is always plenty of places to pull up a chair at the Orion Hotel. The terrace bar and beer garden offers a range of freshly made cocktails, as well as a diverse menu of beers on tap, so you won’t ever go thirsty as you watch the game or pop along to the many bands and DJs who entertain guests every week. Inside the hotel, Jimmy’s Sports Bar is a punting paradise where you can order one of their many local, national and international craft bars on tap, or choose from their impressive back bar of spirits and liquors.

The Orion Hotel is located at 1 Main St, Springfield Central, at the Orion Shopping Centre.

Pumpyard Bar and Brewery

Media-Pumpyard-Bar-HRes

The Pumpyard Bar is the perfect place for you to enjoy an amazing selection of brewed and sourced craft beer, paired side by side with an ever-changing menu of great food. Pumpyard’s decor is industrial chic with huge shiny vats housing the craft beer produced onsite. There’s also a function space, a shaded laneway to enjoy a cold one, and chilled-out acoustic live music on Sundays.

Pumpyard Bar and Brewery is located at 88 Limestone St, Ipswich.

Banshees Bar and Artspace

Banshees Bar, Ipswich

Banshees is a friendly bar and art space where you can enjoy contemporary art exhibitions, live performances from bands and artists from all music genres, and a drink from the fully stocked bar. Banshees always has something happening throughout the week, making it a fun and lively spot to catch up with mates.

Banshees Bar and Artspace is located at 131 Brisbane St, Ipswich.

The Racehorse Hotel

Racehorse Hotel

If you want to drink where the locals do, head to the Racehorse Hotel. Grab your mates and head to the sports bar to watch the game with an ice-cold beer or cider, order dinner at the restaurant or if you feel like being a little fancy, order a mix from their great cocktail menu.

The Racehorse Hotel is located at 215 Brisbane Rd, Booval.

Fourthchild Cafe and Restaurant

Red Corvette at Fourthchild

If you’re looking to wine, dine and relax, Fourthchild Cafe, Restaurant and Lounge Bar offers a unique and tasty blend of urban-inspired gourmet flavours and old-world ambience. You can relax on their deck and down a cold beer or fruity cocktail, which pairs perfectly with their crumbed camembert cheese served with plum sauce and tortilla crisps.

Fourthchild Cafe and Restaurant is located at 215 Brisbane St, Ipswich.

Ipswich Jets' new bar

This list doesn’t contain all of Ipswich’s amazing bars, cause the list would be way too long!  Check out our Eat and Drink Page for the rest.

Ashleigh Howarth Freelance writer
Ashleigh Howarth is a journalist with more than 12 years experience in the media industry. Her passions include travelling, dessert bars, cocktails and attending music concerts. She aims to inspire others to unlock their own sense of wanderlust to explore this beautiful big world, whether that be on a local or more global scale. You can keep up to date with her stories by following @journo_ash_ on Instagram.

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