About Ric’s Bar & Backyard
Ric’s Bar & Backyard is a legendary live‐music pub in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Founded in 1993 by photographer Ric Frearson, it started as a small café/bar and grew into a local institution (themusic.com.au ). For decades it’s served as an “incubator venue” for up-and-coming bands – a rite of passage in the Brisbane scene (themusic.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). The venue’s quirky dive-bar atmosphere – complete with vintage posters, second-hand arcade games and a clothesline strung with lights over the beer garden – makes it stand out. The upstairs function room overlooks busy Brunswick Street (with its own DJ booth and smoker’s balcony), a tiny front karaoke bar sits at street level, and the expansive open-air backyard holds the main stage. Together these spaces can hold over 250 people (ricsbar.com.au ). Many now-famous Australian acts cut their teeth here (The Jungle Giants, Tones and I, The Chats, Megan Washington and more are on Ric’s “alumni” list) (ricsbar.com.au ) (www.bigsound.org.au ). In short, Ric’s is a century-old-style Valley music hall with a famously laid-back vibe: good sound system, cheap craft beer on tap, affordable pub food, and a cult following that keeps Fortitude Valley’s live scene alive (concreteplayground.com ) (www.bigsound.org.au ).
Events and Programming
Ric’s Bar & Backyard throws live music and parties on most nights of the week. Regular Wednesday through Sunday gigs feature local indie bands, rockers, pop acts and DJs, often with no cover charge until peak weekend hours (www.bigsound.org.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). The schedule is eclectic: you might hear guitar bands or solo singer-songwriters in the early part of the night, then DJs spinning dance or electronic music until closing time. Recurring events include weekly karaoke (especially in the small front bar), spring and holiday parties, and themed DJ nights. In summer 2024 Ric’s hosted the city’s BigSound showcases, turning the backyard into an outdoor festival stage (ricsbar.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). Notable one-off events have included the “Ric’s Day Out” all-day party under the backyard clothesline (ricsbar.com.au ), the annual Halloween bash (ApocaRIC’s) (ricsbar.com.au ), and “Sundays at Ric’s” DJ competitions (ricsbar.com.au ). The venue also hosts Pop-Up arts nights, live taping sessions, and low-key student parties (Thursdays often have drink specials). In short, Ric’s is open nightly with something on – from free singer-songwriter showcases to $10-$15 cover shows by touring acts on weekends (ricsbar.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). Check Ric’s gig guide or social media for the latest lineups (they often announce weekly bands and ticket info online).
Tickets and Booking
The good news is most Ric’s events are either free or low-priced. Even Friday/Saturday showcases usually charge only about a $10 cover after 9pm (ricsbar.com.au ). You can buy tickets on Ric’s own website or box office for big events, but many nights are simply pay-at-the-door. The Backyard stage shows often appeared on third-party sites in the past, but for current info it’s best to follow Ric’s social pages and “Ric’s Kid” mailing list. Walk-up tickets are sold at the entry on event nights. For very popular gigs (e.g. special DJs or festival shows), tickets may go on sale weeks in advance; for regular local nights there’s usually no advance sale. Note that Ric’s sometimes partners with ticket sellers (without linking) – but there’s no formal box office phone; queries go through Ric’s website. In practice, the best strategy is to monitor the official gig guide or social media, buy online if a ticket event is announced, or just turn up early on a big night. Standing room is general admission, so arrive early for the front-row. (On very busy weekends they do hold a line, so members of Rics Kid or event RSVPs may get priority entry.) In short: low‐cost, simple bookings. Expect $0–$10 cover most nights and a $10 cover only on the busiest Fri/Sat late gigs (ricsbar.com.au ).
Seating and Layout
Ric’s Bar & Backyard is casual and mostly standing-room, but with pockets of seating. The Front Bar (ground-floor) is tiny (capacity ~30) with a few bar stools and lounge chairs – this is often where early-evening acoustic sets or karaoke happen (ricsbar.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). The Upstairs function space (capacity ~100) has a private bar, small DJ booth and balcony on Brunswick St; it’s used for private hires and often in-house student parties (ricsbar.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). The famous Backyard beer garden is the biggest area (>250 capacity) and is mostly open-air with picnic tables and standing room. The stage sits at one end under party lights; two giant LED screens flank the stage (ricsbar.com.au ). From most spots in the backyard you’ll have a clear view of the band or DJ. The sound system is tuned for live rock/pop (concrete walls, high ceilings) – Concrete Playground praised Ric’s “good sound” after recent upgrades (concreteplayground.com ). For the best view of the stage, people often stand near the front fence; you can also watch from bleacher seating or picnic tables against the back wall. If you prefer a quieter spot, the upstairs deck or front balcony has partial views. One caution: if you want front-row space during a headliner, arrive early or be prepared to squeeze past the tight crowd. Overall, layout is fluid and dive-bar style – it doesn’t have reserved theatre seats, it’s more an open pub environment with room to dance or mingle (ricsbar.com.au ) (concreteplayground.com ).
Getting There and Parking
Ric’s Bar & Backyard is at 321 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley (Queensland 4006) (www.tripadvisor.com.au ). Fortitude Valley is just north of Brisbane’s CBD. The nearest train station is Fortitude Valley Station (on the Citytrain line), about a 5-minute walk north down Ann/Brunswick St. Many Brisbane buses also stop on Brunswick Street Mall or nearby James/Ann Street, so you can catch a route from any city direction. If you’re driving, note that street parking in the Valley is metered by Brisbane City Council. Most spots around Brunswick/Ann are paid (often $1.60–$4.40 per hour depending on zone) (www.parkopedia.com.au ). Free parking is scarce – watch for the few “pink zone” spots or time-limited bays. Nearby paid car parks include the Brunswick Street Mall car park and private lots on King Street or Mead Lane (roughly 5–10 min walk). As a general rule, park well before showtime if you want a spot; evening rates are usually cheaper. Rideshares and taxis can drop you at Brunswick St (the front entrance) or Ann St (the back alley entrance). Ric’s has level entry (Ann St side) and an accessible path inside (www.bigsound.org.au ). The venue is also wheelchair-friendly (ramps and accessible restrooms are available) (www.bigsound.org.au ) (www.bigsound.org.au ). In summary: Fortitude Valley is easy to reach by train/bus, and parking is paid (street or lot) if you drive.
Inside the Venue
Expect a typical inner-city pub vibe inside Ric’s. Entry is by the Brunswick Street door (or Ann Street ramp) and security runs ID scanning (as required by law). The dress code is informal but strictly enforced – no athletic wear (trackpants, singlets), high-vis gear or beachwear, and definitely no rubber thongs (ricsbar.com.au ). Upon entry your photo ID is scanned to prove age; acceptable IDs include current Australian driver’s licences or passports (photos of IDs won’t do) (ricsbar.com.au ). Bottles and outside drinks are not allowed. Once inside, you’ll find two big bars serving local and international beers, ciders and a handful of wine and spirits. Ric’s is known for its inexpensive craft beers and signature cocktails (yes, they have the cheekily named “Morgan Freeman” cocktail on the menu often (ricsbar.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au )). The kitchen churns out pub-style food: burgers, sandwiches, steak parmys, and nightly specials. (Pro tip: Ric’s sister cafe “Fatboys” next door offers the famous $4 breakfast if you stay till closing (concreteplayground.com ).) There’s a coat hook or shelf by the bar (no formal cloakroom), and unisex restrooms in the back, including an accessible toilet (www.bigsound.org.au ). No smoking is allowed indoors (there’s a designated outdoor smoking area). Tech-wise, the venue boasts a modern PA with monitors and LED stage lights – big enough that bands have drums and full rigs, and you can plug in a guitarist easily (ricsbar.com.au ). Connectivity is basic: photos share slowly over crowded Wi-Fi, so expect a cell-phone surcharge on social media! In short, it feels like a big friendly pub: friendly staff, sticky floors, rock posters on the wall, and DJs spinning records on the loud DJ decks late into the night.
Nearby Amenities
Fortitude Valley has plenty to offer before and after your Ric’s visit. For pre-show dining, the block around 321 Brunswick St is packed with restaurants and cafés. Within a couple of blocks of Ric’s you’ll find Italian bistros, Thai eateries, Nepalese curry houses and relaxed gastropubs. (A popular choice is Fatboys Cafe at 323 Brunswick, run by the same team, which does 7am–2pm breakfasts including their famous $4 “Fatrics Breakfast” deal (concreteplayground.com ).) If you want a more upscale meal, nearby dining at the base of Rydges Fortitude Valley has modern Australian fare. After the gig, Brunswick Street and the Valley Mall come alive with late-night bars and cafés (many stay open past midnight). The Valley is also home to several hotels: Rydges (inn-park) is right around the corner, and there are serviced apartments and backpacker hostels a few blocks away. If you’re visiting from outside, staying in the Valley or nearby Spring Hill will give you easy access. When it’s time to head home, you can grab a taxi or rideshare on Brunswick, or walk the short distance back to Fortitude Valley train station. On weekend nights, Queensland’s free NightLink buses run along Brunswick St after midnight, and trains still run late towards the city and out to the Gold Coast. A word of advice: allow extra time to spill out into traffic on Friday/Saturday nights – late-night BX buses or cabs can take 15+ minutes to show up. But on the bright side, Fortitude Valley is well-lit and busy late into the night, making after-show transit relatively safe (www.parkopedia.com.au ).
What Makes This Venue Special
Ric’s Bar & Backyard is more than just a bar – it’s a slice of Brisbane music history. For one, it’s one of the *longest-running* live‐music venues in the city (www.bigsound.org.au ). Founded by Ric Frearson as a meeting place for creatives, it has stayed true to its roots as a scruffy “pub with a stage” where raw new talent gets a shot (themusic.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). The character is unmistakably local: banks of old-school arcade machines, a chalkboard advertising $4 counters, student posters plastered on the walls, and a hand-painted sign that reads “Morgan Freeman.” You won’t find polished glamour here – instead, the vibe is proudly divey and inclusive. In fact, Concrete Playground noted that recent renovations “only served to enhance” Ric’s charm, adding more space and a better sound system without losing its scruffy soul (concreteplayground.com ). The Backyard’s signature overhead clothesline of party lights (a real landmark) and giant outdoor screen give it a festival feel in the middle of the city (ricsbar.com.au ) (www.mustdobrisbane.com ). Every year Ric’s hosts themed traditions like Litmas (a tongue-in-cheek post-Christmas party) and Halloween parties that locals look forward to (ricsbar.com.au ) (ricsbar.com.au ). Even off-stage, Ric’s has a quirky social media presence – fortnightly “social pics” on Instagram look like snapshots of London or Budapest nightlife, highlighting Ric’s “vibrant and eclectic” decor and its friendly party atmosphere (ricsbar.com.au ). All these little details – the € Morgan Freeman shot, the sausage sizzle at day parties, the cheap all-nighters – have earned Ric’s a cult following. In short, artists love it because it’s real and crowds love it because it’s fun. And that gutsy spirit is why Ric’s Bar & Backyard still matters in the Valley, even with flashier venues around. It’s the kind of place where both legends and newbies can stare eye-to-eye on stage… and that makes every night memorable.
Visitor Tips and Information
Access & Dwress: Rics is 18+ only after 6pm; under-18s are not admitted once the bar opens. You must bring a current photo ID (Aussie driver’s licence or passport) to get in (ricsbar.com.au ). There’s a strict dress code: no singlets, sports shorts or rubber thongs (ricsbar.com.au ). If you look punk or pretty much anything else, you’ll be fine – but the bouncer can turn you away if you violate the basic rules. Age scanning is mandatory by law, so don’t try to sneak in with an expired or plastic ID (they won’t accept student cards or photocopies) (ricsbar.com.au ). Securing entry: On a big night (Fri/Sat after 9pm) expect a $10 cover (ricsbar.com.au ), even if it’s not advertised widely. Plan to arrive early (doors open 6pm Thurs-Fri, 5pm Sat; live music usually starts 8pm). There’s limited cloak/storage, so bring only what you need. Good to know: Rics has level access (via Ann Street) and accessible restrooms at the back (www.bigsound.org.au ). Staff can assist if needed, and there’s even a dog bowl for any service pup (www.bigsound.org.au ) (so yes, service dogs are welcome). Smoking is allowed only outside (no inside smoking). The venue is cash-friendly (providers scanning in the past suggested cash tips help the bands) but credit cards are accepted at the bar. Other policies: Photography for personal use is fine, but professional photo/video may require permission (especially with big acts on stage – always check with staff). If you’re unsure, ask a bartender. Expect friendly chaos: the crowd can get packed in front, and pockets of rowdy dancing happen, so keep valuables secured. After the show, peak crowds may last until 2am, so stay aware of your surroundings. Lastly, check Ric’s channels on the day for any schedule changes (shows rarely get cancelled, but out-of-town bands can shift timings). In brief: wear something you’re comfortable dancing in, bring ID, enjoy the tunes – and you’re all set for the Ric’s experience.
What is the capacity and layout of Ric’s Bar & Backyard?
Ric’s has three areas: the tiny front bar (about 30 people) for intimate nights, an upstairs function room (about 100) with a balcony, and the large outdoor Backyard. The Backyard is open-air and holds over 250 guests (ricsbar.com.au ). It has long communal tables, standing space, a stage with two big LED screens, and festival-style string lights. Seating is limited (benches along the back wall), so most patrons stand or mingle. In other words, it’s mainly general admission rather than fixed seats.
What types of events and music are at Ric’s?
Ric’s is a live-music venue seven nights a week (www.bigsound.org.au ). You’ll find indie bands, rock combos, jazz singers, DJs, and cover acts. Weekday nights often feature local acoustic or original bands, while DJs spin in the late hours. Ric’s is known for supporting emerging Australian artists (past headliners include The Jungle Giants, Tones and I, Megan Washington) (ricsbar.com.au ) (www.bigsound.org.au ). Special events include karaoke sessions, themed dance parties, and annual showcases. Check the gig guide – it shows live bands every Wed–Sun, followed by DJs (ricsbar.com.au ). Cover genres range widely from folk and blues to electronic and hard rock. Basically, if you like loud live music in a pub setting, Ric’s will have something on.
Are tickets required and where can I buy them?
Most nights at Ric’s are free or use a nominal cover. Regular gigs usually have no advance tickets – you buy entry at the door. For bigger shows or festivals, Ric’s will list tickets on their website or on general ticket platforms a few weeks out. Any advertised ticketed event can be booked online, but many local band nights are simply pay-on-entry (often a $0–$10 cover). Pro tip: follow the official Ric’s Facebook and “Ric’s Kid” mailing list for announcements. If an event sells tickets, they typically go on sale a couple of weeks before and are also sold at the venue box office. If it’s not a ticketed show, just show up before it fills up. In summary: door sales for most shows, and any tickets [if sold] are listed publicly well in advance.
What is the drink and food policy at Ric’s?
Ric’s is a fully licensed pub. You can purchase beer, wine, spirits and cocktails at the bar. Signature cocktails (like the “Morgan Freeman”) are popular. No outside drinks are allowed. The food menu includes pub fare – think burgers, nachos, chicken Parma, steaks and snacks. There’s no kitchen after midnight, so eat before or plan for a late-night snack. You’re welcome to re-enter if you step out (scan your hand or get a stamp). Also, leadbelly or personal shot glasses aren’t provided for BYO spirits; all alcohol must be bought on site. If you’re hungry, Ric’s often does simple BBQ or sausage sizzles at day events (and the attached Fatboys café serves breakfast sandwiches). In short: bring just your ID and wallet, and enjoy Ric’s food and drink offerings inside.
Is Ric’s Bar accessible for patrons with disabilities?
Yes. Ric’s Bar & Backyard has level entry via the Ann St side (no stairs into the main outdoor area) and an accessible restroom at the back (www.bigsound.org.au ). Staff are trained to assist and there is a priority entrance/exit if needed (www.bigsound.org.au ). Seating areas can be arranged on request. The ramps are gentle and the floors are level, but note that some thresholds and a few steps by the upper bar exist. Guests with service dogs are welcome (there is even a water bowl for pets) (www.bigsound.org.au ). Overall, the venue is considered wheelchair-friendly, but if you have specific concerns (like needing a particular setup), you can call ahead and the team will accommodate as best they can.
What transportation and parking options are available?
Ric’s is on Brunswick Street Mall in Fortitude Valley. Fortitude Valley train station (on the Airport/Central line) is about a 5-minute walk north on Ann Street. Several Brisbane buses stop nearby (Bus 230, 300, 390 etc). Late-night NightLink buses run after midnight on weekends. For parking, there are paid street spaces ($1.60–$4.40/hr, depending on zone) around Brunswick, and paid lots such as the Brunswick Street Mall carpark or private garages on King St (www.parkopedia.com.au ). Rates after 6pm are lower (often $1.60/h). Allow time to find parking on busy nights – ride-shares or taxis are common drop-off methods (there’s often an Uber/taxi line on Brunswick). Note: Ann Street entry is wheelchair & stroller friendly with no steps (www.bigsound.org.au ).
Are there any notable rules or “house policies” to be aware of?
Yes. Aside from the dress code (see above) and ID scanning, Ric’s enforces the usual pub rules. No large bags or umbrellas, no recording devices without permission at events, and no aggressive behaviour. Security may pat-down patrons at times. Ric’s only enforces a cover charge late Fri/Sat (ricsbar.com.au ) (there’s no cover most other nights). If you leave and return, staff may scan your hand or ID again. Smoking is allowed only outside in the designated area. The venue reserves the right to refuse entry or service to anyone intoxicated. Also, remember that Ric’s supports the live music community – do not heckle performers or throw objects on stage. Overall, the rules are standard for a Queensland live music pub: be law-abiding (liquor license laws apply), respectful, and you’ll have a good time.
What are some tips for first-time visitors?
Arrive early for popular shows – the backyard can fill up. Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll stand or dance much of the night (and watch your feet in tight spaces). Carry a small wallet with cash (bar tabs are fine, but cash tips for bands are appreciated). Charge your phone beforehand (service can be spotty during a crowd). If you want to mingle with the band, the front bar stage always welcomes walk-ons after the pro acts. For drinks, try the local craft beers on tap that rotate weekly. Feel free to grab a table if one is free; otherwise lean on the railings. Finally, Ric’s is a social place – chatting up your neighbour and taking photos is part of the fun. Use the hashtag or tag them on socials if you snap a pic; they love reposting memories (ricsbar.com.au ). In short: plan for a full night, be friendly, and soak up Ric’s uniquely Valey pub concert atmosphere!
