Tucked under the northern end of the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves is a heritage precinct of restored 1930s wharves that now hosts some of Brisbane's best restaurants, bars, and a boutique hotel. The setting is exceptional — the curving river, the bridge looming overhead, and the gardens of Fortitude Valley behind. It is the kind of place that took decades of neglect and a serious renovation to get right, and Brisbane is lucky to have it.
The outdoor bars along the river are the main draw, especially on summer evenings when the tables fill and the Story Bridge lights up. Felons Barrel Room is the largest, with tables overlooking the water and a long list of craft beers brewed on site. There are also good restaurants, a riverside jogging path, and a small amphitheatre used for events. Access is on foot along the riverside path from the city centre, about 1.5 km from the CBD, or via a set of stairs from Bowen Terrace above.