Red Brick Hotel, Brisbane: 1890 Pub & Seafood Restaurant Guide

The Redbrick Hotel on Annerley Road in Woolloongabba has been a fixture since 1890—originally built as Burke’s Hotel for publican Thomas Burke (Brisbane City Council Heritage Register). This guide pulls together the official heritage record, hospitality industry reports, and recent reviews to help you decide whether to book a table at its seafood restaurant, pull up a stool at the bar, or simply learn about one of Brisbane’s most storied pubs.

Last checked: 2026-09-21

Name: Redbrick Hotel · Location: Woolloongabba, Brisbane · Built: 1890 · On-site dining: Fat Crab seafood restaurant · Operating hours: Bar and gaming open until 2am daily · Recent refurbishment: Amenities and external finishes renovated by Paynters

Who owns the Red Brick Hotel?

Records show the Hakfoort Hotel Group purchased the asset in 1999 and operated it for more than two decades (PubTIC). In 2022, a commercial property report disclosed that the inner‑Brisbane pub was picked up by the Mathieson family, though the deal was structured as a leasehold with a 20‑year term (Real Estate Source). The official website does not name current ownership, so the most recent public record points to the Mathieson family as the operators.

The bottom line: Ownership changed in 2022, and the hotel is now run by the Mathieson family under a long lease.

Where is the Red Brick Hotel in Brisbane?

The hotel sits at 83 Annerley Road in Woolloongabba, a suburb about 2 km south‑east of Brisbane’s CBD (Yelp). It is a short walk from the Gabba cricket ground and the Woolloongabba busway station, making it easy to reach by public transport. Drivers can use on‑street parking or nearby commercial lots.

Getting there

Catch a train to Park Road station (5‑minute walk) or a bus to the Woolloongabba busway (routes 61, 66, 111, 184, 185, 202, 204, 222). By car from Brisbane city, take the South East Freeway and exit at Stanley Street – about 10 minutes without traffic.

The implication: Its proximity to the CBD and public transport makes it a convenient stop for out‑of‑towners.

What is the oldest hotel in Brisbane?

The Redbrick is not Brisbane’s oldest pub, but its 1890 construction places it among the early surviving examples. The city’s oldest purpose‑built hotel is generally considered to be the Regatta Hotel (1874), though the heritage register notes that Woolloongabba’s first purpose‑built hotel opened in 1916—26 years after the Redbrick (Brisbane City Council Heritage Register).

Other historic pubs in Brisbane

Pubs like the National Hotel (1886), the Story Bridge Hotel (1886), and the Royal Australian Hotel (1877) all predate the Redbrick. What sets the Redbrick apart is its original red‑brick façade and the colourful naming story tied to red £10 notes called “bricks” that bookmakers used in the public bar during the mid‑20th century (Gday Pubs).

The trade-off: The Redbrick is historic but not the oldest; its appeal lies more in the lived‑in character and the betting‑slang nickname than in a strict age record.

What is the most famous pub in Queensland?

No single pub carries an official “most famous” title, but the Redbrick regularly appears in lists of Brisbane’s iconic pubs. Lifestyle site Brissielife includes it in a round‑up of south‑side date‑night venues, noting its 1890 origins and the dual naming story (Brissielife). Local pub guides tag it as a “landmark on Annerley Road for over a century” (PubSpy).

What this means: While the Redbrick may not top a statewide poll, it is well‑known enough to be cited as a local institution.

What is the oldest restaurant in Brisbane?

The Redbrick itself does not claim to house Brisbane’s oldest restaurant. Its on‑site eatery, Fat Crab, is a modern seafood operation. The hotel’s original function as a pub meant it served meals from the start, but the current kitchen and dining setup date from the 2017 renovation (PubTIC).

On-site dining: Fat Crab

Fat Crab occupies the hotel’s ground‑floor dining space, open for lunch Monday–Thursday 12:00–14:30. Reservations can be made by calling (07) 3844 3236 (Redbrick Hotel beverage menu PDF). The menu focuses on oysters, crab, and other seafood, with a separate bar menu available.

The pattern: The Redbrick is a pub with a dedicated seafood restaurant, not a historic dining room; the draw is fresh, casual seafood in a heritage setting.

What is the newest hotel in Brisbane?

Brisbane has seen a wave of openings—such as the W Brisbane (2018), The Calile (2019), and more recently the Marriott Brisbane (2022). The Redbrick is not a new hotel; it is a refurbished pub. The 2017 renovation modernised the interior and introduced the gaming lounge, bistro, and function rooms (Real Estate Source). For travellers seeking a brand‑new build, the Redbrick is not that—but for those who want updated amenities inside a historic shell, it fills a niche.

Redbrick’s renovation

The core of the 1890 building remains, with original architectural features preserved. The refurbishment focused on the bar, kitchen, bathrooms, and gaming area, leaving the red‑brick exterior and heritage‑listed bones intact.

The catch: The Redbrick offers a renovated interior, not a new build. Its appeal is revived heritage, not brand‑new construction.

Which hotel in Brisbane offers the best room service?

This question is not directly applicable to the Redbrick, as it does not advertise accommodation or room service on its official site (Redbrick Hotel official site). The property operates as a pub with dining and gaming, not as a lodging venue. For travellers who want room service, Brisbane has full‑service hotels such as the W Brisbane, the Sofitel Brisbane Central, or the new Marriott.

Dining at the Redbrick

Instead of room service, the Redbrick offers its Fat Crab restaurant for sit‑down meals and a bar menu for counter‑eating. Seafood lovers can order a dozen oysters with a Schooner of local beer—perhaps the closest the venue comes to “service in your seat.”

Why this matters: The Redbrick is not a hotel in the accommodation sense; it is a pub‑with‑rooms (though rooms are not currently advertised). If you need room service, look elsewhere.