Although Brisbane is a relatively small city, it is a creative hub that has inspired various books, films, plays and works of art. Just some of the novels that are set on our wide, leafy streets include Nick Earls’ Zigzag Street (yes this is an actual street, in a suburb called Red Hill), Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe, David Malouf’s Johnno and John Birmingham’s He Died with a Falafel in His Hand. And of course, my works, which barely anyone knows about.
As a frequent traveller, I know how hard it can be to find inspiration – let alone places to actually sit down and write – when you’re in a foreign place. So, I thought I’d create this guide for authors and artists visiting my hometown.
Places to Get Inspiration
The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Wow, an art gallery – how original! I know, I know – but getting inspired by pieces of art is a cliche because it works. GOMA is home to endless art exhibitions, and is also the location of Brisbane’s first cinematheque, which plays an awesome selection of films on a regular basis. GOMA is huge, heavily air-conditioned, and full of art from creators of various ages, backgrounds and cultures. Being surrounded by art is one of the best ways to get your creative juices flowing, and don’t we all want our creative juices to be flowing?
GOMA is also conveniently located in South Brisbane, right next to the Queensland Art Gallery, the State Library and the Queensland Museum. So if you want to get really tired, you can visit all of these in the same day.
But the most important part of GOMA is that it’s free to enter and has aircon.
Rumpus Room
As Hemingway lovingly said, “I drink to make other people more interesting.”
Rumpus Room is a relaxed bar and a true Brisbane institution. This bar is the local haunt of choice for a plethora of quirky West End residents, and offers cheap drinks, plenty of comfortable places to sit inside, and a breezy outside area. The crowd at Rumpus Room is incredibly diverse – on any given night, you’ll find 20-somethings having a laugh with their friends, old folks with their dogs, professionals pretending to do work on their MacBooks, eccentric hippies talking about fire twirling and more. So much more. The crowd here is so interesting, that I love to just grab a drink, sit by myself (or with friends, I have friends Mum) and people-watch.
So many of the characters I draw and write about are inspired by real people, and Rumpus Room is one of the best places to sit back and observe. If you want to get some writing done, get a glass of wine, whip out your MacBook and pretend to finally work on the next great novel – no one will give you a second glance. Unless you’re drinking excessive amounts of wine.
Dancing in the Dark
If you’re struggling to find inspiration or are suffering from artist’s/writer’s block, the best thing to do is break loose, have fun, free your mind and take pride in being kind of weird.
One of the best places I have ever found to do this is ‘No Lights No Lycra’ (NLNL). NLNL is a weekly lights-off dance party. There’s no alcohol or drugs – just a VERY dark room, a crowd of all ages, and some fantastic tunes. Sometimes the solution to writer’s block is to go crazy for an hour – to dance, sweat, pull weird faces and make strange sounds without any witnesses – and this is the place to do it. NLNL is a world-wide initiative – Brisbane’s sessions run in West End, on Tuesday nights, from 7-8pm.
If anything, the darkness is a great way to feel better looking. Find out everything you need to know on the Facebook page.
Places to Write
Avid Reader
Avid Reader is another West End institution. This independent book store is staffed by genuine book enthusiasts and published authors. Have a look at the eclectic selection of niche books, then take a seat in the outdoor cafe and get to work. Avid Reader is run and supported by a huge community of book-lovers, writers and artists – and you will feel right at home.
The best thing? If you need help with focusing, or would love to write your next great book in the company of other authors, Avid Reader opens their back deck exclusively to writers from 9 am to 4 pm every Monday. For just 5 bucks you can co-work with other writers, in guaranteed peace and quiet, for the whole day! There’s instant coffee, tea, power stations and even writing prompts for those that need a little extra motivation. Thanks to this, you’ll no longer have to worry about your mother asking you why you don’t have a job yet (you may have to ask her for five bucks though).
The State Library
If you want a comfy spot to write without spending any money (my favourite), the State Library is the perfect spot. With free WiFi, plenty of spots to sit, heaps of books, free computers, meeting rooms and a nice riverfront location, this is a very comfy place to be productive! As I mentioned, this library is located right next to GOMA, so you can go get some inspiration and then get to work!
This extends beyond West End, but it is also worth looking for local council libraries closer to where you’re staying. I’ve frequented many council libraries that have provided quiet working spaces, free WiFi and of course, unbelievably wonderful, tremendously beautiful, blessedly luscious, aircon.
The Three Monkeys
I’ve taken so many artsy Insta flatlays and selfies at The Three Monkeys.
If you love a cafe with a moody atmosphere, great chai and very late closing times, this is the place for you. The Three Monkeys has a relaxed vibe, lots of cosy nooks to sit and write and a lush courtyard. This cafe is open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 pm every other night. If you’re thirsty, they make great coffee and tea (they are famous for their chai), and if you’re hungry they have delicious cakes and a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. This cafe is lively at all times of the day and night, and it’s the perfect place to be alone with others. Cuz that’s all anyone really wants in life, right?
They also use chalkboard menus with a whole list of fancy teas, and you know a cafe is a great cafe for artists if it has a chalkboard menu with a whole list of fancy teas.
And there you have it! My favourite spots to get inspired and write in Brisbane! If you find any other spots while you’re here, leave a comment below!
Dean Blake is the author of Surface Children, and will soon be releasing his book of illustrations, Everyday A**holes. Find out more at everydayassholes.net.
