Hot summer nights and city lights

As the weather starts heating up around Australia, subtropical Brisbane heaves even more than usual.

Hit the city as it starts to bustle on Friday evening checking into the Conrad Treasury Hotel in all its sandstone beauty on the meandering Brisbane River - rich timber, stained glass and sweeping, high ceilings will ensconce you in the centre of town.

From here, it is out into the fresh evening air to Montrachet for a taste of Lyon in inner-city Paddington – famed for its antiques and timber ‘Queenslander’ style homes. The brainchild of Thierry Galichet, Montrachet offers beautiful Lyonnaise cuisine in a quintessentially ‘Brisbane’ environment. Be sure to book well ahead as Montrachet is popular with locals and visitors alike.

Once you’ve eaten, make your way out into a city full of possibilities and head for the Lychee Lounge, on Boundary Street in bohemian West End. A great place for a drink and a chat, Lychee Lounge is cool from its frozen vodka shelf behind the bar, dripping with condensation, to its rich fabrics, Barbie-doll head chandeliers and opium den chic. The tunes are old-school – so if you love your funk and soul brassy and bold this is the place to be. Great for a chat and a cocktail before it’s time to spank the planks.

Now it’s time to catch up with The Family. In this case – ‘The Family’ is the award-winning club (Nightclub of the Year at the Sixth Annual Bar Awards 2006) where the bright young things go to play. Four levels of fun each with its own distinct vibe. Beyond that, if there’s a group of you – you can always take advantage of one of their beautiful private booths. With some of the biggest dance acts (national and international) stepping behind the decks, it’s best to book ahead if you want a space of your own.

Waking late the next morning, open the curtains to the day that lies ahead and your mind to the possibilities on offer. Fortunately, The Gunshop Café in West End (a Brisbane breakfast institution) is open for breakfast until 12.45pm on Saturday, so there’s no need to rush. Sink into the weekend like the locals do and watch the upwardly mobile mix with students and artists. Try the roast vine cherry tomato, spinach, fetta, balsamic reduction with ciabatta. And yes, it was a gunshop once.

From here make your way back across the Victoria Bridge and through the city to the creative mecca of Fortitude Valley, or just ‘the Valley’ if you prefer – it’s time to flex the fantastic plastic. Stop at the markets on the Brunswick Street Mall and pick up anything from old vinyl to threads from young, up-and-coming designers. Or, if you prefer your boutiques chic, head to Ann and Brunswick streets. Here you will find gift and homewares store ModCons and designer boutiques Blonde Venus, Urban Groove and Ultra Suite. Also, names like Maiocchi, General Pants Co. and Lucid Laundry sitting among the streets’ trendy galleries, restaurants and bars.

Head south across the Story Bridge to Kangaroo Point and the base of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb – one of only four such experiences in the world. During summer, you will be able to take in the city lights from on high, as well as learning about the events that have shaped Brisbane into the dynamic city you see spread before you. It offers a chance to think about everywhere you’ve been so far and all that’s left to explore! Now is the perfect time of year to be up on top of the bridge in the warm night air as the river gives off a cool breeze and the beautiful city skyline stretches out before you.

Back into the Valley to Anise on Brunswick Street for a meal in the modern French style. This cosy venue has an amazing selection of wine and is also well versed in the ways of Absinthe should you desire to dabble. Seating only 20 (the majority on stools around the bar) Anise is conducive to leisurely meals and good conversation mixed with good wine.

If you want to kick on there is still a lot left to explore in the Valley. Try The Bowery – a ‘New York style’ bar with great cocktails, live jazz Monday to Thursday and DJs on the weekend. The Bowery takes its name from a street in New York, famous for its speakeasies and gin joints during the prohibition. With its warm timber tones, high ceilings, exposed brick walls and booth seating you can picture yourself in any number of 1920s gangster fantasies. Try a cocktail or two from the menu – these guys know what they’re doing!

If you like to dance and you like your clubs intimate and lush head to award-winning Alhambra (Best New Nightclub at the Sixth Annual Bar Awards 2006). Alhambra is all cushions, deep tones, cool music and live percussion.

On Sunday – check out of your room and have the staff hold your bags so you can make the most of the day ahead. Step out of the foyer, across William Street, down the stairs to the North Quay ferry terminal and catch the CityCat to New Farm Park. When you’re back on land, make your way along the river, past people exercising and practising yoga to Watt Modern Dining – part of the fantastic Powerhouse. Right on the river, Watt embodies Brisbane’s lifestyle and is a breakfast favourite. Try the whole egg omelette with potato, chorizo sausage and caramelised onion and you won’t leave disappointed!

Sunday is a day of rest, so to set yourself up perfectly at Bodywize - Health and Wellbeing Centre in nearby Teneriffe (76 Commercial Road). Bodywize offers men and women an exclusive array of indulgent treatments. The spa also incorporates a state-of-the-art gym providing clients with in depth health and fitness assessments, including consultation with a naturopath and tailor-made wellness programs.

From here it’s back to New Farm Park to while away the early afternoon like the locals do - find some shade and read a book. The park is a great spot for some people watching – with families and friends setting up in their favourite spot early on and settling in for the day, playing guitar, throwing a frisbee or just watching the world go by. If you are still around on Sunday afternoon or evening head over to the Powerhouse on the edge of the park and check out up-and-coming local artists for free at Spark Bar. Live Spark (from 3.30pm every Sunday) showcases some of the hottest young musicians in town, while Livewired (from 6.30pm every Sunday) will bring a tear to your eye in a good way, as you listen to some of Brisbane’s funniest folk get into their comedy stylings… all right by the river again.

For more information on attractions, tours and dining options visit:

www.experiencebrisbane.com