Melbourne and Sydney hipsters have been left questioning everything they thought they knew about themselves and their cities, after travel bible Lonely Planet named Brisbane the country's coolest city.
The Courier Mail reports that the verdict is in, and that the publishers of the world's most widely-read Australian guidebook have given Brisbane the nod as the nation's "hippest city" and a star on the rise.
"Booming Brisbane is an energetic river town on the way up with an edgy arts scene, pumping nightlife and great coffee and restaurants," the guidebook says.
"Brisbane is Australia's most underrated city. Sub-culture undercurrents run deep here with cool bookshops, globally-inspired restaurants and cafes, bars and band rooms aplenty."
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk — a hip guy if there's ever been one — told the Courier Mail that he agreed with Lonely Planet's call. "Brisbane is a New World City with an enviable subtropical climate, lively alfresco dining scene, green spaces, world-class art galleries and premier events," Cr Quirk said.
The mayor added that the G20 summit in November would only add to the city's allure, placing the world's spotlight on Brisbane (in a good way, he presumably means; not a protest-y way).
The Lonely Planet team were particularly impressed that Brisbane has "twigged to small-bar culture", singling out "sassy new booze rooms" Super Whatnot (a speakeasy down an unassuming CBD laneway) and The End, "a slender hipster hangout" in West End, for particular praise.
Of course, it makes total sense that hipsters would choose Brisbane as Australia's hippest city — Melbourne and Sydney are painfully "obvious", after all.
Brisbane, on the other hand? Oh, you probably haven't even heard of it.
