Coniston Lane

Turns out this place is closing down in April 2012!

Wanna dance, but sick of Ric’s (gasp!)? Want to see some interesting live music? Want to linger around at the end of an alley smoking with your friends? Woodland is your man! Not even two years old, Woodland has quickly become the hang-​out of choice for the Valley’s indie scene. When the Depot died, they headed to 299, when 299 died they headed to ennui, and now Woodland has come to save the day. Although the cover can sometimes be rather too much, once you’re in you’re guaranteed to have a long-​lasting good time.
Woodland is basically a big warehouse type room upstairs behind the Mustang Bar. You have to go a block back from the street and down an alley to get there, but if you just follow the cool kids you should find it with no trouble because these days it’s definitely the place to be.
I can count on waaaay too many hands the amount of times I’ve lurched down Woodland’s back staircase in early daylight when I was meant to be ‘just going for a few songs’. But if that’s not a good indicator of a fun venue, I don’t know what it. One of the best things about Woodland is that you never quite know what you’re going to get, but you can bet that it’ll almost always involve a lot of dancing and a lot of drinking!

If I have a top three list of indie venues in the Valley, Woodland definitely rates up there. Normally I hate paying a cover charge but for Woodland, I make the exception. The initial draw card for me was the fact that it was perched at the end of a little alleyway, much like Melbourne’s nightlife.
Woodland is really just an open space when you look at it objectively. You walk in, get your stamp, and you’re looking at an open space with a semi-​stage at the front and some pretty cushy booths adorning the sides. But all you need in Woodland is a little imagination and a great group of friends to have a truly fantastic night. They have some pretty decent live music and because of the open space, it makes a killer dance floor.
Woodland really isn’t that different from many other clubs. It has all the essential ingredients: bar, dance floor, seats; but Woodland somehow has a little something-​something extra that you just can’t put your finger on, but always manages to lure you back time and time again to dance away until 5am.
Bring your flannel shirts, bow ties, cons, and cute bows boys and girls; we’re in for a night of fun at Woodland.

Woodland Bar is the home of indie scenesters and an orgy of social smoking. It’s a fun place to go to listen to popular local acts like Velociraptors, as well as quality international acts, like Kurt Vile. There’s a great dance floor, and the stage set up is quaint with its assortment of paintings hanging haphazardly on the wall.
On the nights I’ve been the DJing has been fantastic, with a playlist featuring 90s classics and obscure 80s hits. Most people tend to have a good dance, but there are booths for those who have come to brood and nod along solemnly to the music.
The bar is great — they have a standard selection of beers at reasonable prices, and the staff are friendly and attentive, but if it’s a busy night you’ll be waiting for a while. That is, unless you’re ruthless like a lot of the people there, and push your way to the front, which nobody’s a fan of.
Woodland can get messy quickly — the floor gets sticky, the toilets are too small for the number of patrons inside the venue, and the two flights of rickety, metal stairs leading up to the bar can become packed with smokers. So if you’re out, you’re going to be out for at least the next half hour, and waiting until you’ve got a clear path back into the venue.

You know those hipsters that just walked past; you know why they look so hung-​over? It’s because they have been up all night partying in a place like Woodland. One of the coolest places to see good live music in Brisbane, I can hand on heart, guarantee you a night out at Woodland should be a good night. Provided that you don’t mind paying a few dollars on cover charge and quite a bit more at the bar.
I especially recommend a journey down the alley way next to Alhambra if your going to see a band that you know all the songs for. There really is nothing like seeing the look on a local Brisbane bands face as the fans in the crowd drunkenly slur the words to their songs louder than they do. I challenge you to be that guy/​girl.

Woodland has it’s place in our fair city, just like the salad wraps have a place on a McDonald’s menu. Woodland has hosted some amazing musicians but sadly the sound is not up to scratch when compared to places like The Zoo. That being said, if you like your indie stuff then Woodland will suit you like a boss. They have some great beers on tap, the staff are nice and professional (read: quick) and they’ve got a nice aesthetic that some may find pleasing.
Woodland can also be a bit hit or miss — it’s either jam packed or it’s completely empty, which is a shame because when it’s jammed it’s fantastic. As with most venues, it depends on who is playing that dictates if you’ll have a good show on. Tonight, I believe they have Kurt Vile. That’s pretty boss.
It’s located down an alley way next to Alhambra (12 McLachlane Street)

I remember how much hype there was behind this bars opening,
but I was mostly excited for Brisbane to have another alternative music venue in the Valley.
Woodland’s is a bar/​venue run by the owner of the Outpost
so you know it will have that indie flair.
The décor is pretty,
with woodland paintings behind the stage
(and in one instance a giant dinosaur in honour of the Velociraptors show.)
…The 1 000 000 stairs leading up to the club however,
frankly terrify me when sober and turn into a bit of a mission after 2am.
The acoustics can also get pretty terrible,
you have to be prepared for minor hearing loss as your friend’s communication methods
resort to a mixture of YELLING LOUDLY into eardrums and hand signals.
That being said I’ve been pretty impressed by the number of really good gigs I’ve seen here
and the effort the club put’s into the promotion.
(some of the club posters are real works of art.)
Some nights are free before 10pm but can be $ 5 – 20 depending on who’s playing.
Don’t forget to say hello to the fabulous doorman/​resident coolguy Miguel
and enjoy your night in the Wood!