Whenever I discover a good rooftop bar, I like to shout it from the … well, rooftops! Especially because rooftop bars don’t have the benefit of street visibility, so when you find one that’s special, you gotta get the buzz going. That’s how I felt about Sixteen Antlers in Brisbane, located at the top of the Pullman and Mercure hotels near King George Square.
Although you can’t miss the antlers on the sign out front, the bar is a little harder to spot from street level. I almost feel like I’m part of some secret society as I step inside the hotel lobby and press the button for floor 16.
When I get to the top, the doors open and I am in this moody hallway with a pair of trendy deer (of the Sixteen Antlers theme) welcoming me in. Round the corner and I am greeted by a leafy, logo emblazoned wall and … wow, that view.
Sixteen Antlers puts you at eye level with the impressive City Hall clocktower, above the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The space is intimate yet somehow also expansive, split across two levels and featuring a combination of lounge areas and bar tables. The view is unobstructed thanks to glass panels that give the feeling of sitting on the top of the world.
I visit at night, so even though the sun has gone down, the sparkling city lights are inviting, and the area is warmed by impressive looking fire heaters that are reflected in the glass.
We perch ourselves in a cute table in the corner, uninterrupted views on all sides, and begin to peruse the cocktail menu. Immediately my friend gravitates towards a cocktail called Nine-Nine because Brooklyn Nine-Nine. No further explanation needed. And me, I am drawn to the Ms Peacock because I once played Madame Peacock in a real life immersive theatre production of Cluedo. Plus it looks zesty and I am all about the zest.
Turns out despite our silly reasons for selecting our drinks, they are perfection and suit us both down to the ground. Plus they look so pretty against the night sky, and if the drink isn’t worth the ‘gram, did you even really drink it in the first place?
A bit of a tipple in and we are ready for some food, so we order a selection of nibbles from the adorably named “Tapastry” section on the menu. The menu has a wide selection of bits and pieces, mostly with a bar snacks feel rather than a full meal. It suits the venue perfectly.
As we continue to drink our beverages and snack on tapas, I think that honestly, if I still worked in the CBD this would definitely be my local post-works sunset drinks venue. The music is chill, the vibes are relaxed but still a little bit bougie, the cocktails are far too delicious and that rooftop bar view is something else.
Check out our guide to the best rooftop bars in Brisbane here.
Visit Sixteen Antlers rooftop bar for more info.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram@thebeautypalate.
