The Gresham

Here in Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’, it’s not often you can enjoy a well-crafted cocktail or draught beer in a heritage-listed building. The infamous Bjelke-Petersen era paved the way for family-oriented venues, and the average corner pub met its demise. The Gresham is proudly the only remaining pub in Queensland with a heritage licence.

Not a single drop of this classic charm is wasted. The bar’s elegant limestone walls, polished furniture and many framed pictures are a constant reminder that the building has been sitting there since 1885.

Even the drinks list reflects the nostalgia of the building, offering more than 200 whiskies from the US and beyond, dozens of rums and gins, and other old-timey sippers.

There’s also an extensive cocktail menu and a changing blackboard with suggestions for boilermakers (beer and whisky pairings), which frequently includes beer from local brewers Green Beacon and Fortitude. The Gresham’s final nod to the past might be its efforts to attract true ladies and gentlemen: it touts an attitude policy, rather than a dress policy.

By day, the bar’s offerings are slim but may be just what you need: Toby’s Estate coffee and toast spread with nutella, avocado, jam and other basics.