Stay and play

Brisbane is bristling with things to do and places to see – and a cosy home-away-from-home makes it even easier to linger for longer.

Written by Jeni Bone

15 February 2024

Rydges South Bank is located in the heart of Brisbane’s arts and entertainment precinct, alive with exhibitions, stage performances and live events for the public.

Only minutes away from South Bank Parklands and adjacent to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Hotel features a variety of rooms and suites with state-of-the-art features and amenities.

For families or groups, there are spacious Junior Suites that have separate lounge rooms with convertible double bed, and a Two Bedroom Family Suite with a private bedroom with king-size bed and ensuite, a second room with two queen beds, a sofa and ensuite, and a separate lounge room with a convertible queen sofa bed.

Renowned as a venue for events – from weddings to corporate launches and galas – Rydges South Bank Brisbane boasts spaces to suit every occasion.

No less, tucked within its walls is one of Brisbane’s most awarded restaurants – Bacchus, aptly named for the Roman god of wine and a good time.

Rydges Hotel South Bank is located in the heart of the entertainment, dining and cultural precinct.

Bacchus' acclaimed Chef de Cuisine Manuel Erriu.

Duck Agnolotti, Kingfish, Parmigiana and Risotto at award-winning Bacchus.

Risotto with herb pesto, goats cheese, Szechuan pepper and lime.

Bacchus Apple dessert tastes as good as it looks!

With a distinctly European flavour and style, this highly awarded restaurant combines Queensland ingredients with traditional menus.

Bacchus Wine Director and Food and Beverage Manager Kevin Puglisevich.

Bacchus Bar Sommelier and Restaurant Manager Christie Lawler with Wine Director and Food and Beverage Manager Kevin Puglisevich.

Bacchus is known as one of Brisbane's best restaurants – and has the awards to prove it.

Bacchus has won Australian Wine List of the Year and Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence.

Soleil Pool Bar is a great venue for events or to rendezvous with friends.

Soleil Pool Bar at Rydges South Bank.

Soleil Pool Bar is a rooftop haven of cocktail creativity and tunes.

The à la carte menus and degustation dining at Bacchus have won copious accolades, including Australian Wine List of the Year – 3 Star Rating, Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence – 2 Glass Rating and Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards – Star Rating.

Bacchus also boasts Brisbane’s best high tea, with exquisite morsels concocted by the talented pastry chefs, accompanied by Harney & Sons fine teas, barista coffee or an optional two-hour Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige choice of endless bubbles.

For a more casual cocktail-style function, with jaw-dropping views and an illuminated pool as the centrepiece, the award-winning Soleil Pool Bar is a rooftop haven of cocktail creativity and tunes.

Poolside Weekends – the ultimate pool party – opens Soleil to the public, and as the sun sets, live DJs add to the atmosphere, while Midweek Sessions are the perfect place for catch-ups over cocktails.

By day, Soleil Pool Bar provides a sun-soaked space for guests to relax.

Poolside Weekends – the ultimate pool party – opens Soleil to the public.

The hotel features a variety of rooms and suites with state-of-the-art features and amenities.

The Two Bedroom Family Suite allows plenty of room for up to six guests to enjoy Brisbane in comfort.

Destined to be Australia’s next Olympic and Paralympic city in 2032, Brisbane’s calendar of events is worthy of a major international city. Highlights for 2024 include swimming, cycling, golf and BMX racing events to inspire the stars of the future.

NRL Magic Round Brisbane returns in May 2024, alongside Game One of NRL Women’s State of Origin to be played at Suncorp Stadium for the first time in history, kicking off a four-day festival of footy.

The world-first exclusive Bluey’s World is set to attract visitors from across the globe when it opens at Northshore, Brisbane in August 2024, while headline music heavyweights including Pink, The Jonas Brothers, Blink-182 and Niall Horan, are expected to excite sell-out crowds throughout the year.

A new $175 million, 1,500-seat theatre in the South Bank cultural precinct is set to open to audiences in 2024, making the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) the largest of its kind in Australia.

Brisbane Powerhouse, the city’s home for contemporary culture, features a year-round outdoor cinema, as well as an alfresco theatre hosting concerts, cabaret, comedy and circus events alongside the Brisbane River.

Coupled with the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and the Queensland Museum, which rank among the most visited Australian cultural venues, Brisbane’s cultural scene is hard to beat.

The $3.6-billion Queen’s Wharf integrated resort development, set for August 2024 opening, will further enhance the range of entertainment – and accommodation – on offer in Brisbane.

Brisbane offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to explore River City on electric scooters or bikes. There are 3,200 dotted across the city and various routes to enjoy the various villages in Brisbane, with a special Brisbane City Council guide for beginners and the more experienced, outlining possible itineraries.

No wonder Time magazine hailed Brisbane one of the “world’s greatest places” in 2023!

rydges.com/brisbane-south-bank

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