BYO drinks is a tried and tested crowd pleaser, right? Well these forward-thinking Brisbane watering holes have taken it one step further, and introduced the BYO food phenomenon. Because sometimes what a girl really wants is a cheesy pizza to go with that fancy cocktail, and occasionally the perfect pairing lies in top-shelf whisky and your favourite Thai takeaway, am I right? If you happen to feel the same way, then read on friends!
Cobbler | West End
Go on, wander in, pull up a bar stool, and pair any one of the 300+ whiskeys on offer with…well whatever you feel like at the time. Cobbler don’t discriminate against your choice of dinner delights, in fact they encourage you to BYO, and offer you some killer cocktails (changing with the seasons), a fabulous selection of frothies on tap and the nicest bartenders this side of the river.
That Little Place | Mount Gravatt
If breakfast is your favourite meal of the day, then you and the crew at That Little Place have something in common. But whilst they serve up some truly scrumptious breakfast delights every day of the week, on Fridays and Saturdays they swap coffee beans for craft brews, served ice cold with hot fish and chips from Seafood Platter next door.
The Scratch | CBD
The gang at The Scratch have always been ahead of the game, sourcing the perfect foodie partners for their boutique beers from their friends at Arrivederci for as long as we can remember. There’s something for everyone at this happy little hole-in-the-wall, with a selection of both Australian and imported beers on tap, as well as some bottled beauties and a non-alcoholic range to satisfy any and all hydration needs. Did we mention they do a mean cheeseboard too?
The Cardigan Bar | Sandgate
Cardigan has left no stone unturned in creating a welcome walk-in for fans of domestic brews, live music, art exhibitions and stand-up nights. All you need to bring is some good friends and whatever your belly desires. They do provide a selection of bar snacks for the peckish few who would prefer in-house treats over outsourcing appetisers.
Mr Henderson | Sandgate
A resourceful bunch, the fine people at Mr Henderson have so many BYO foodie-friendly options that the only way you’ll leave is in a food (and beer) coma. Stashed away in Sandgate, they have a variety of beautiful bar treats to tempt you, or you can indulge in the fabulous fare offered by any one of the nearby restaurants. IF you ask nicely, they might even deliver.
Can you keep a secret? | Woolloongabba
If you’re after post-work drinks somewhere that makes you feel so at home that you’ll find yourself curled up on their (vintage) couch in no time, then look no further. This Stanley street dive bar will make sure you can do anything – but keep secret just how warm and welcoming a place this is. With a stunning selection of wines, beers and cocktails to wash down your sustenance of choice, this whimsical wonderland of all things retro will be sure to leave you smiling.
The Bench | Cleveland
A welcome addition to the south side’s booming beverage scene, The Bench is here to satisfy those craft beer cravings. With an on-tap selection (rotated regularly of course) to rival some of their inner-city counterparts, the only thing better than the brews is the fact that many neighbouring restaurants are happy to deliver, direct to your barstool. Did someone say south side road trip?
BYO? More like BYOFAGRFAFB (bring your own food and get ready for a food baby).
Words by Araminta McLennan
