Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane Powerhouse
4.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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4.5
684 reviews
Excellent
355
Very good
264
Average
50
Poor
9
Terrible
6
car0line2811
Caloundra, Australia101 contributions
Feb 2020
Full of character, this building reminds us of its former use as a power station although it is now a cultural hub for everyone to enjoy. It is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift which meant that when we visited (early Feb 2020) there was very restricted access to toilets. By the time you read this, the situation will hopefully have improved!
Theatre spaces range from large to smaller, more intimate venues depending on the play, concert, festival, exhibition etc being presented. Restaurants on 2 levels offer food and drinks throughout the day and evening and are reasonably priced.
Its position on the Brisbane River, with City Cat (river ferries) Terminal just a few minutes stroll away, makes it easily accessible to all, as well as a delightful place to relax and unwind.
Theatre spaces range from large to smaller, more intimate venues depending on the play, concert, festival, exhibition etc being presented. Restaurants on 2 levels offer food and drinks throughout the day and evening and are reasonably priced.
Its position on the Brisbane River, with City Cat (river ferries) Terminal just a few minutes stroll away, makes it easily accessible to all, as well as a delightful place to relax and unwind.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
christoskontas 🇬🇷
Thessaloniki, Greece6,356 contributions
Dec 2019
Brisbane Powerhouse is located in a former power station in the Brisbane's neighborhood of New Farm by the river. The venue offers an array of performing arts, visual arts, festivals, and free community events. The Powerhouse is now a multi purpose center for arts, housing Theatre, Hall, outdoor plaza, green spaces, rooftop terrace, bar and restaurant. Free parking is available beside. Interesting place. We just visited Alto restaurant and really enjoyed the meal and the view.
Written 31 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK8,046 contributions
Feb 2023
The Brisbane Powerhouse is a cultural hub, an artistic centre, and a contemporary arts venue which buzzes with creativity, lively and edgy performances, and originality and innovation. That in itself is a good reason for a visit to this distinctive landmark which nestles on the north bank of the Brisbane River in New Farm.
However, the Powerhouse has not always been that way. It sprang to life in 1928 as an actual power station to provide electricity for Brisbane’s growing tram network at the time. It was decommissioned in 1971 after Brisbane gave up its trams and replaced them with buses, and lay derelict until 2000 when it was reinvented as an entertainment and cultural hub. The restoration was clever, maintaining an interior that had become pimped with fabulous and colourful graffiti over the years of its dormancy, keeping lots of the industrial machinery that kept the powerhouse turning, including old electrical transformers which are now lighting fixtures, and maintaining the overall structure of the building, both inside and outside. It’s almost as if it is a museum house. And that to me is the best reason to visit. I didn’t attend any cultural or arts events here, but I had a fabulous time exploring the old building and enjoying the fabulous restoration which has taken place there.
The best feature to me was the large pieces of graffiti which have been retained. The building was a hotbed for graffiti during its period of dereliction, and much of it has been kept, going the venue an edgy and sometimes irreverent feel. You’ll also see vestiges of machinery, old electrical equipment, huge switchboards and transformers. It all works as a concept, and adds a historic and heritage feel to the complex.
You are free to wander around when the complex is open. You don’t have to be attending a performance or function there, though there are sometimes free live performances which you are welcome to attend and enjoy. There’s a number of flexible performing spaces and viewer open platforms, and the venue hosts a comprehensive array of performing arts, visual arts, festivals, and free community events across numerous genres including music, comedy, dance, film, visual arts, cabaret, circus, theatre, writers+ideas and children’s programming. Further developments took place in 2007, when restaurants, bars, conference and rehearsal rooms and offices were added. There’s a very pleasant riverside cafe for a meal or drinks during the day; it also offered free water for your water bottle.
Make sure you explore the historic building inside and out, attend a live performance if one is happening at the time of your visit, discover works of art and relax at the waterside restaurants and bars. It’s a fabulous spot!
It's easily accessible via buses which run along Brunswick Street, or the CityCat which has a river stop a short work from the venue.
However, the Powerhouse has not always been that way. It sprang to life in 1928 as an actual power station to provide electricity for Brisbane’s growing tram network at the time. It was decommissioned in 1971 after Brisbane gave up its trams and replaced them with buses, and lay derelict until 2000 when it was reinvented as an entertainment and cultural hub. The restoration was clever, maintaining an interior that had become pimped with fabulous and colourful graffiti over the years of its dormancy, keeping lots of the industrial machinery that kept the powerhouse turning, including old electrical transformers which are now lighting fixtures, and maintaining the overall structure of the building, both inside and outside. It’s almost as if it is a museum house. And that to me is the best reason to visit. I didn’t attend any cultural or arts events here, but I had a fabulous time exploring the old building and enjoying the fabulous restoration which has taken place there.
The best feature to me was the large pieces of graffiti which have been retained. The building was a hotbed for graffiti during its period of dereliction, and much of it has been kept, going the venue an edgy and sometimes irreverent feel. You’ll also see vestiges of machinery, old electrical equipment, huge switchboards and transformers. It all works as a concept, and adds a historic and heritage feel to the complex.
You are free to wander around when the complex is open. You don’t have to be attending a performance or function there, though there are sometimes free live performances which you are welcome to attend and enjoy. There’s a number of flexible performing spaces and viewer open platforms, and the venue hosts a comprehensive array of performing arts, visual arts, festivals, and free community events across numerous genres including music, comedy, dance, film, visual arts, cabaret, circus, theatre, writers+ideas and children’s programming. Further developments took place in 2007, when restaurants, bars, conference and rehearsal rooms and offices were added. There’s a very pleasant riverside cafe for a meal or drinks during the day; it also offered free water for your water bottle.
Make sure you explore the historic building inside and out, attend a live performance if one is happening at the time of your visit, discover works of art and relax at the waterside restaurants and bars. It’s a fabulous spot!
It's easily accessible via buses which run along Brunswick Street, or the CityCat which has a river stop a short work from the venue.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim L
Brisbane, Australia94 contributions
Nov 2021
Love the place, with the history ambiance, but drink prices are way over the top. Went to a lovely performance last night ( Emma Dean), and bought a pre show drink. $11 per glass, and no glasses left for the sparkly wine, so we’re given a normal wine glass, and the sparkles were non existent. Otherwise, lovely place, and the performance was amazing. Maybe drop the drink prices a little, and people might go back for a 2nd one, without breaking the bank.
Written 21 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoomerLite
Melbourne, Australia20 contributions
Aug 2022
Went to see the bulding and to see what was going on. It is a performance and arts venue, not a museum or gallery, so if you go just for a poke around outside of a show there isn't much going on. The riverfront cafe is fabulous.
Written 31 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdventureSheSaid
Brisbane, Australia223 contributions
Sept 2022
Great venue - with a very niche/arty vibe (compared to most other theatre venues in the city) and surprising parking options (if you're not wanting to pay, do a cheeky google, there are a whole load of free options). Bar is cute & reasonably priced. There are great views from/of the Brisbane river and a lovely garden area outside the venue also. Have seen a few fabulous/wild/interesting shows during this year's Brisbane Festival!
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick R
Ayr, UK469 contributions
Feb 2020
Riverside place on walkway is good place to stop and eat or drink. Innovative use of the old building. We ordered our food and drink and paid at the bar but had a wait before we picked up our own food as there is no waiter service. Our chicken dish was good.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
Nerang, Australia4 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Comedy Nights at the Powerhouse, but the place has food and a bar.
Desperately need more toilet facilities, and disabled toilets too. Often there are a few thpusand people here at a time, but only 1 toilet each for men and women. Very poor
Desperately need more toilet facilities, and disabled toilets too. Often there are a few thpusand people here at a time, but only 1 toilet each for men and women. Very poor
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonia
Queensland, Australia3 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
This Review is for the Food only. Eat before you go and do not order if possible Its atrousious plus bad presentation . (Photo attached). If i can put a zero as a Review I would of . Especially cheese platter . It was My first visit ever to this Food outlet and it was so dissappointing for the price they charge . Not worth a dime , shocking 🤮
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
621dougw
Gold Coast, Australia238 contributions
Dec 2022
Visited the Brisbane Powerhouse in December 2022 to attend a Cirque de Solais circus. The venue is really nice, right on the river with beautiful views and parking is
plentiful. The restaurants within the venue are also of a high standard.
plentiful. The restaurants within the venue are also of a high standard.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey, I'm a university student undertaking an assessment in regards to the Powerhouse. For personal reasons im unable to go and see it myself unfortunately but if you don't mind I would really appreciate you answering a couple simple questions I have:
1. Inside, is each level divided into a certain art? Say for examply one level contains a range of paintings and the next is for performing arts and the next is for music or anything similar?
2. Did you find it would be difficult for local and unknown artists to be represented inside the powerhouse and show off their own art?
3. Do you believe the Powerhouse is taking advantage of the resources and range of creative talent?
PS. As mentioned, I am asking in regards to a QUT Uni assessment so ANY feedback goes a long way.
Kind Regards, Pat :)
Written 19 September 2017
Hi Pat,
I wasn't there long enough to have a good look around, so I can't answer your questions.
Written 19 September 2017
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