Once considered a down-at-heel pocket of the city, Fortitude Valley has emerged over the past decade as one of Brisbane's liveliest and most progressive precincts.
Known as The Valley, this is where a flourishing cultural community, a pumping party scene and a highly progressive dining industry collide. This is where quality cafes spill over with early morning patrons, where sophisticated bars and clubs feature the very latest in decor and disc jockeys, and where shoppers discover all manner of avant-garde designs.
As with many precincts of its kind, the creative community has been a driving force behind The Valley's renaissance. National and international standard fashion designers, artists, musicians and film makers all call The Valley home.
A good place to start any visit to The Valley is the Brunswick Street Mall. Lined with cafes, bars and eateries, the mall acts as a hub, with many people starting their shopping excursions or big nights on the town right here.
Adjoining Brunswick Street is Ann Street, a strip famous for its fashion boutiques. For cutting-edge and retro designs, unique one offs, and the very latest in urban threads, try one of the many boutiques along this strip.
Elsewhere, the classy James Street precinct is a sign of how fast things are moving ahead in Brisbane, and just how exhilarating they can be. Featuring fresh fish and produce markets, cookery schools, designer furniture, an art-house cinema and several hip bars and cafes.
The Valley is also home to Brisbane's Chinatown, where Chinese supermarkets, exotic ingredients and steaming Yum Cha breakfasts bring people back time and time again. Entry into Chinatown Mall is marked by passing under traditional Chinese gates and 320 kilogram stone guard-lions. Walk around and you will see Chinatown is alive with architecture, fabrics, colours and emotions of the Orient.
