We all know the summer days in Ipswich can get hot, but as the sun goes down it’s the perfect time to head out and enjoy a drink with friends and family in the cool night air.
Do your shopping at the Twilight Markets
As the afternoon sun gets ready to set the Twilight Markets are opening up with great stalls, food and entertainment.
The dog-friendly markets are held at the Ipswich Showgrounds on the last Saturday of every month from 4pm-9pm in Summer.
There is an entry fee of $5, but children 12 and under get free entry!
See a show at Banshees
Banshees Bar and Art Space hosts live gigs on the weekends. In fact they’ve single handedly brought over 500 bands to Ipswich since they started operations five years ago.
They’re also great at whipping up cocktails and a great meeting place to kick off your night.
The bar opens at 5pm – 12am on Wednesday, Thursday and from 7pm-12am on Friday and Saturday.
Take in some theatre at the Civic Centre
The Ipswich Civic Centre features national and state touring shows as well as local theatre companies.
There’s comedy, music, theatre and kids shows on offer.
You can enjoy a drink pre-show or dinner at the venue then enjoy your evening in airconditioned comfort.
Watch a live gig at Studio 188
Studio 188 is a live entertainment venue in the Top of Town featuring local and touring artists.
It’s in walking distance of some of Ipswich’s best bars and restaurants.
Taste tapas and sip cocktails
The Rusty Nail bar has a number outdoor tables so you can take in the night air, drink a cool cocktail and taste-test the tapas menu.
Look out for music events in the Nicholas St Precinct (like Tunes in Tulmur) and book on the same night to enjoy a free concert while sitting outside.
Sit on the verandah at the heritage listed Indian Mehfil restaurant
Indian Mehfil is an authentic Indian restaurant set inside a heritage building that used to be a bank. If the night air is cool sit outside on the verandah and sip on a delicious cocktail.
Enjoy a meal under the stars at Stony Creek Brewery
Stony Creek Brewing has laneway dining which allows you to down some craft beers as the sun sets and have dinner under the stars.
Drinks in the Monte Lane laneway
Monte Lane has an alfresco area with cobblestone paving. Sip from the luxurious wine list or savour the delectable share plates and pizza in the cool night air.
German hospitality at Heisenberg Haus
Located in the Top of Town Ipswich Heisenberg Haus offers German inspired cuisine in a beautiful contemporary environment. They also have some great German beers available.
Book a table outside if the night is cool or inside for airconditioned comfort.
Have dinner on the deck at Fourthchild
Fourthchild Cafe and Restaurant is a great café that is fully licenced with craft beer, wines and spirits.
They also have a large deck area out the back, which has views of St Mary’s Catholic Church, and is a great spot to catch up with friends for a sunset drink or dinner.
Try the cocktail jugs at Memories of India
Memories of India offers authentic Indian delicacies inside one of Ipswich’s beautiful old corner pubs.
They also make up some amazing cocktail jugs which are great to share with friends.
Grab a UB’s ice cream
Pop into UB’s Milk Bar for a gourmet ice cream. Stay for burgers, fries and shakes or take your ice cream and head for a sunset walk through the historic top of town.
Tackle an epic burger at Ruby Chews Burgers and Shakes
Ruby Chews Burgers and Shakes offers a modern twist on a classic American Burger Bar.
You can choose to dine inside in the air-conditioning, take your food into a movie next door at Limelight Cinemas, or sit outside overlooking the Bremer River.
Fine dine at The Cottage Restaurant
The Cottage Restaurant is a fine dining venue set inside a charming heritage Queenslander offering modern Australian cuisine.
You can sit inside or book a spot on the verandah.
Sit under the fairy lights at Essence of Indya
Essence of Indya offers tapas and small plates as well as traditional and fusion Indian. You can choose to sit inside or wander out the back door to the fairy lit courtyard.
Pair steak with cocktails at Bakehouse Steakhouse
This contemporary steak restaurant, set inside a century-old bakery, was named the best informal steak restaurant in Queensland in the 2020 Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence.
Bakehouse Steakhouse also has a killer cocktail menu and a courtyard out the back which has a great vibe for Friday or Saturday nights.
Try up to 72 craft beers on tap at the Prince Alfred Hotel
With the largest numbers of craft beers on tap in the Southern Hemisphere, the award-winning Prince Alfred Hotel isn’t only hanging it’s hat on it’s beer offerings.
The restaurant also offers fresh red claw transported directly from Gympie every week, delicious steaks and more!
Other places to enjoy the night air
Try a meal or a drink at Club Services Ipswich, Ipswich Jets, The Racehorse Hotel and Brothers Leagues Club Ipswich.
A bit further away at Grandchester you can find the award-winning Homage Restaurant. Famous for it’s paddock to plate dishes the hatted restaurant sits inside the Spicers Hidden Vale resort.
Up the Warrego Highway heading towards Toowoomba at Marburg you can find the Marburg Hotel open for dinner offering great pub fare and a deck area to enjoy a few drinks. There’s also a fine dining restaurant at the Woodlands of Marburg estate. The Sugarmill Restaurant is set inside the mansion, bookings essential.
At Springfield you can find Indian Tadka and Ballistic Springfield – a craft beer brewery and restaurant open for dinner.
For more places to eat including cafes see our Eat and Drink page.
