Events are firmly back on the business calendar and there is no better place to reconnect than at one of Brisbane’s premier outdoor venues.
Brisbane’s year-round sunshine and warm subtropical climate make the ideal location to host an outdoor business event. From boutique and intimate spaces to epic team-building events, to cocktail parties and alfresco soirées, this curated list provides the best outdoor venues in Brisbane that can be tailored to suit a business event of any size and occasion.
Read on to discover Brisbane’s most inspiring outdoor venues to host your next business event.
Howard Smith Wharves
Since its redevelopment in 2018, the 1930s-era Howard Smith Wharves has become one of Brisbane’s must-visit destinations. Located under the Story Bridge, the heritage-listed buildings form a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct that thrives from morning until night.
Howard Smith Wharves (HSW) Chief Executive Officer Luke Fraser said championing the outdoor experience has always been integral to the precinct.
“Brisbane has always been an outdoor city and now more than ever we’re re-engaging with our beautiful Brisbane River,” he says. “These were hugely important factors to us when considering how locals and visitors would like to enjoy HSW.
“At HSW we’ve focused on celebrating our outdoor event spaces so delegates can enjoy our unique position in the River City and take in stunning views of the Brisbane River, Story Bridge and CBD.”
Each unique space features beautiful alfresco areas perfect to enjoy Brisbane’s sought-after climate and make the most of the amazing city views.
Inspired by Mediterranean summer holidays, Bougainvillea House under the riverside cliffs offers both indoor and outdoor events on the terrace for up to 70 for a banquet or 150 for a cocktail party with stunning city views.
For a more tropical oasis feel, Green House is nestled in the Wharves Garden precinct with a shaded terrace that can host 50 for a banquet or 120 for a cocktail party, with an adjoining indoor space.
Next door, while not completely al fresco, the Rivershed event space inside the heritage wharf building can host up to 600 for cocktail-style events, with multiple outdoor decks opening out onto the riverfront boardwalk.
If an Italian-inspired event is on the agenda, Ciao Papi restaurant can host up to 104 people among the olive trees on the outdoor deck. Or if a trip to Hong Kong is more in order, celebrated Cantonese restaurant, Stanley, can seat up to 75 people on its al fresco front deck.
Howard Smith Wharves’ event spaces strive to provide inclusive and safe access to all visitors of the precinct, with accessible lifts accessible from Boundary Street and the Riverwalk from Brisbane City and New Farm entrances.
Brisbane Racing Club
Renowned for exceptional hospitality to deliver the best in culinary trends, cuisine and service, Brisbane Racing Club combines heritage charm, beautifully manicured grounds, modern facilities and contemporary finishes to offer flexible outdoor and indoor event spaces to suit your style, size and event needs. It’s also conveniently located just minutes from the Brisbane Airport for ease of access.
The Big Screen on the Green on Eagle Farm Racecourse is the ultimate destination for big screen viewing under the stars. Catering for 80 to 200 people, it’s an impressive venue to host product launches, conferences, or exhibitions.
For an outdoor venue with impact, the new Stradbroke Plaza is located on Eagle Farm Racecourse. Adjacent to the mounting yard, it features an outdoor piazza and bar in a leafy setting. It’s an ideal location for team-building events, cocktail parties or large-scale events given its flexible capacity for 50 to 1,000 people.
For something a little closer to the stars, the new Society Rooftop Bar is an unrivalled location to host a sunset or evening event, with capacity of between 40 and 200 people.
Closer to the trackside, the Grove Marquee is adjacent to the winning post in a semi-permanent building with lawn space for a dreamy outdoor soiree. With a capacity of 300 for cocktail events or 150 for banquet dining, its magnificent scale suits large corporate events or product launches.
Victoria Park
Situated in the iconic Victoria Park/Barrambin parklands in Brisbane City (just two kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD), the Victoria Park function centre offers seven character-filled function rooms – all with a unique style and panoramic room views. The beautifully styled outdoor venue, The Orchard, caters for up to 100 people for a chic cocktail event, or 60 for a long table dining experience, with the open-air terrace boasting stunning city views. Guests can enjoy an alfresco BBQ grill and a private bar while relaxing in the urban oasis.
Iris Rooftop – Hotel X
Give your next business event a luxury feel at one of Brisbane’s most impressive rooftop bars, the Mediterranean-inspired Iris Rooftop at Hotel X.
Located in the heart of Fortitude Valley, Iris boasts incredible views of the Story Bridge and Brisbane City. The Iris Cabanas is an intimate option to host between 10 and 40 guests, while Iris Terraza can host 50 people for a seated event or 100 for cocktails, featuring the prized panoramic city view. For the ultimate rooftop rendezvous, the venue can be hired exclusively for up to 250 people.
Fiume Rooftop Bar
An outdoor event location with a mindful twist, the Fiume Rooftop Bar at the Crystalbrook Vincent hotel offers unique and eco-friendly options for a sophisticated function space overlooking the buzzing Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
Nestled directly underneath the Story Bridge, Fiume offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city skyline and river – an inspiring space for a cocktail function with lasting impact. Bathed in natural light with floor-to-ceiling glass, the event spaces adjoined to the rooftop bar The Galleries cover your business needs; whether an intimate corporate event or large-scale boardroom meeting, Crystalbrook Vincent offers bespoke in-house catering and styling to meet your event needs.
Crystalbrook Vincent’s event offering also includes options for inspiring outdoor activities like self-guided scavenger hunts, A Vincent-Inspired Sketch ‘n Sip and Laughter Therapy or Laughter Yoga sessions.
QAGOMA
The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) is the city’s famed home of the arts and an impressive venue for your next outdoor business event.
The stunning alfresco deck attached to the GOMA River Lounge and Pavilion caters for 100 guests while the exclusive space on the GOMA Roof Terrace can host 200 for cocktails or up to 180 for a banquet.
Downstairs, the GOMA Bistro hosts relaxed riverside events under the fig trees for up to 500 for cocktails and 120 for a banquet, while next door the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) Sculpture Courtyard is sure to wow guests and can host outdoor cocktails of up to 220.
Customs House
Brisbane’s iconic heritage building, Customs House, is a highly awarded function venue featuring spectacular views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge with six luxurious function rooms accommodating to a range of events including conferences, seminars, private dining, cocktail parties, private meetings, gala dinners and riverside events.
Leave a lasting impression and host a riverside event with a touch of heritage charm at the outdoor River Terrace space overlooking the river. The space can cater 200 people for a cocktail style event or 120 in the marquee, with marquees exclusively available from November through to December.
Hyatt Hibiscus Room
For a sunshine state of mind, embrace the quintessential Queensland outdoors with your next business event at the Hyatt’s new Hibiscus Room.
Bringing a taste of the glam ‘70s to Queen Street Mall, the retro-inspired Hibiscus Room Terrace hosts up to 80 for cocktail-style events or banquet, while Terrace 1 hosts 50 for cocktail and Terraces 2 and 3 provide an intimate setting for 30 guests.
To host an inspiring Business Event in Brisbane, contact the Brisbane Business Events team for more information.
