The Edge

It is perfect for creatives, artists, booklovers, researchers, students and nerds. It’s got the wifi so you you can get on the line, it has spaces for discussion and meetings, cool little chairs and nooks for privacy to read a book or sketch your favourite whatevers. It breathes creativity and thanks to the government for providing a space where people can actually hang out all day with a decent connection.
Awfully close to the art gallery, the state library, southbank and food in general, it is a great place to visit even if you have no idea what you are doing or are just wondering by.

This is a great space if you need to meet with a group in a central location. It’s part of the State Library and overlooks the river. There are meeting spaces that are divided by curtains with plenty of seating, a few tables and power supply in each meeting space. The meeting spaces are very popular and book up quickly (which is done via online bookings) so make sure you book in advance. It’s great to have a resource like this, available for free. Useful for planning session, talking about your assignments, projects etc. There’s also a coffee shop doing coffee and small snacks as well so you don’t even need to leave get get hydrated or caffeinated. Now that I know about this place, I’ll be using it regularly.

The Edge is such a great and versatile space for the community. Anyone can come by here and use the internet, book a meeting space, or study. In addition to that, you can borrow a laptop charger if you forgot yours or plug your phone into a charging station.
The view is incredible as well! You can look over the river and check out what’s going on in the city with a plethora of flyers, brochures, and publications to keep you reading for days.
If you get hungry while working or doing your thang, you can grab a snack or drink at their café.
The staff were very friendly to me when I needed help and I think it’s a great place when you need to change up your scenery.

Big props to the local government for providing a great FREE resource for creatives, entrepreneurs and those «work-​from-​anywhere» types.
— Free wi-​fi
— Plenty of tables and chairs
— Serene views of the river
— An onsite café for snacks and drinks
— Recording studios
— Lots of free street press, flyers and brochures so you can stay up to date on gigs and markets
— Clean and groovy (yup, groovy) toilets
— Other mysterious rooms that I didn’t get a chance to look in
I only got to spend a few hours here but was seriously impressed.

I’ve found myself almost living in The Edge (okay maybe not so much now compared to last December) since working on the Zombie Climate Apocalypse — 2^nd Outbreak at the end of 2011.
It’s just such an amazing place to get work done — whether you are working alone, or with a group. The staff are awesome — and so is the coffee. Book a window bay, or share one with others — and enjoy the lovely evening view of the Brisbane River.
The Edge is all about collaborations and learning — so you’ll find plenty of awesome workshops that you can participate in. Keep a look out for the 3D printer workshops — you’ll probably be hard pressed to find one that’s been wonderfully calibrated that you could get your hands on without being a proven techie.
At the moment there’s a huge blow up tent lying in the middle of the space, with LED lights wired through out its interior. Dive in, lay back on one of the bean bags in it and enjoy the starry view of the «night sky».
Oh, did I mention free wifi and cheap coffees, also tasty muffins? They even have sandwiches now!

There are so many 5-​star reviews of The Edge that I figured rather than filling you with actual information, I’d provide you with an artsy musical reference instead. The problem? Too many «edge» musical references to choose from. Gaga or Aerosmith? 30 Seconds to Mars or Eiffel 65? Yes or Concrete Blonde? Akon or The Cure? The Gaslight Anthem or LCD Soundsystem? Creed or just all of Jagged Edge’s portfolio?
So artsy intentions aside, I’ll simply say this: with free wifi, gorgeous views and coffee onsite, The Edge is undoubtedly the best place in Brisbane to make your offsite-​office for a day. [Insert musical reference of choice.]

I’ve been to The Edge a few times for a few different things — I’ve seen a band, I’ve done some radio training with 4ZZZ and sometimes I just hang out with my laptop, use their WiFi and drink coffee. This time round I had some radio projects to work on and the itch to make some tunes so I utilised The Edge’s audio software. The Edge provides iMacs bundled with industry-​standard audio software like Logic Pro, Adobe Audition and Ableton that you can use FOR FREE. The helpful Edge staff let me know on Twitter and at the front desk that I can book a long session if I’m working on a project. I believe they also offer a recording studio with a full ProTools setup at a very low cost. This is a godsend to fresh-​outta-​sound-​school sorts like me who can’t afford to buy good audio software or to hire a studio. I believe they offer high end design and film software too. Other than my excitement over excellent software packages, The Edge is just a nice place to hang out — there’s oodles of resources for creatives, art and science installations, design magazines, music zines, nice people and an incredible space egg chair! I think I’ll be hanging out here more in the future.

When a break away from the four-​walls of the traditional office is needed I escape to The Edge and upgrade my office surroundings to a sun-​drenched window bay with an expansive view of Brisbane city and an advantageous waterfront view.
The Edge, set in the SLQ precinct, is a place to hold a meeting, take in one of their many free courses, attend an event or simply spend a few hours working offsite. Window bays fill quickly, and you can see why with the uninterrupted views, so be sure to book in if that’s where you see yourself working for a little while.
Of course, after all that stern concentration you’ll want to refuel and The Edge coffee ‘shack’ with coffee, snacks (muffins etc), cold drinks and more will help give you the energy boost you need to keep on keepin’ on.

I’d never heard of The Edge until last year. I wish I’d known about this excellent initiative sooner, but I’m making up for lost time now. Last year I was working on creating a new community action group with a couple of other people I’d met up a tree (long story). Anyway, we needed a logo and some fliers etc. and one of these new friends of mine was a trained product designer. I wondered how a dude who is trained in graphic design and works using photoshop and all those other crazy programs I know nothing about could get by without a computer so when he suggested we spend some time designing with some of these programs I was a bit confused. ‘But I thought you said you didn’t have a computer’ I asked. He shrugged and said ‘We’ll just go to The Edge’. I had no idea what he was talking about but was soon introduced to the awesomeness that is The Edge. All free, no signing up or anything needed. Just plenty of technology at your fingertips even if you’re a poor uni student or an out of work musician.
I kept waiting for a catch, but I really don’t think there is one. The Edge is an example of generosity and opportunity in a profit-​driven society. Very refreshing. It’s a wonderful place to meet like-​minded people with similar hobbies, too. If you’ve never been, make sure you change that. Even if you don’t have a specific reason to go, it’s worth a look and you’ll see all kinds of creative types working their magic.

Having recently completed a training course at The Edge, I only have praise for this place, so stop reading now if you’re hunting for a negative review (haven’t found one so far, and seriously never expect to).
Probably what excited me more than the uninterrupted view of the Brisbane River and skyline of the CBD (which act as perfect procrastination/​day-​dreaming tools when you need to rest your brain) is the fact that there’s a bangin coffee shop squeezed into the entrance of this place. I was a little baffled by the fact that coffee is more expensive than the large muffins they bake daily, but that’s something you’ll quickly overlook when you need the caffeine so sustain concentration.
We had a computer lab booked for the training course, which comes complete with super large-​screened Mac’s loaded with editing software (hello Photoshop, InDesign, AudioPro, everything Adobe you could possibly lay your hands on and the photo editing software, Gimp). Large screen projectors enable classes to run smoothly and the seats are spongy and soft, enabling one to sit for extended periods of time without suffering from what I fondly refer to as sleepy cheek syndrome. Visitors can access this lab whenever they want to, as long as a class or training session isn’t already in full-​swing.
Definitely worth checking out to access free editing software and to hide away from noisy library goers and distracting housemates.

I am honestly surprised not more people know about The Edge. It is such a great space for creative kids like myself and I think it is awesome that this was actually an idea created by the government. The best thing about The Edge is that it is all free!
Situated behind the State Library (or in front depending where you are coming from), it is generous sized building filled with studying areas, computer labs and even recording studios. Not only that but they will put on workshops for teaching young creative types about things like blogging, graphic designs, sound engineering. Can I remind you that this is all free?!
If I were someone from the Edge reading these reviews, I would take into consideration that I am not the only person who has mentioned that not everyone knows about The Edge because I feel the only thing The Edge is lacking is more visitors. I feel like it could probably work on their advertising a bit more.

The Edge is the perfect working environment if you’re developing a creative project or keen to meet and collaborate with people who share your creative interests. The facilities on offer here are fantastic and you can’t help shake the feeling not many people know of them; whenever I’ve dropped by it’s been quite quiet, which is a good thing if you’re after a space where you can concentrate, but it’d be great if more people took advantage of the the equipment on offer.
There’s an iMac lab which you don’t usually have to book. Not many people know you can just wander in and start using the computer rooms, so it’s usually quite bare. There’s also a function room, multi purpose media rooms, and even a piano, which are all available for hire. Not to mention the café is cheap (good coffee and muffins, cookies, etc) and the toilets tucked away downstairs are a bit of a secret and most importantly — clean!
If you start to freeze from the air conditioning there’s also a meeting room upstairs that opens out to the roof so you can warm up. But you’ll need to hire that first — just ask the staff!
Most of the workshops held at The Edge are free and the people running or participating in them are always eager to chat about their projects and what they’re up to. So don’t hesitate to stop by for a chat if you’re interested.

The Edge you ask? Well only the coolest of all hubs and hangouts for uni kids and the like. Decked out with all the equipment powerful enough to let creative minds run wild, this place feeds the needs of the youth today.
For all those times when you find yourself trying in vain to study and you have a ‘mind block’, The Edge provides that safe haven where you can let the stress out and have a little fun. They’ve got free wi-​fi so you can get all your work and research done and they offer great workshops to stimulate a creatives mind.
This concept hub really does inspire you to be creative. It works for me and if anything, I’m a bit surprised there aren’t more places like this. If you are techie, a gamer, a ‘dork’ or a creative, this place is the best place to hang with others who share your same interests.

If some of you suffer from the necessary burden that goes by the name of «university» like I do, then you will understand what it’s like to habitually procrastinate. You know what I mean, the whole «I’ve got an assignment due tomorrow, but I really should do a spring clean of my entire apartment». It’s a curse, and this semester I decided to do something about it by finding somewhere free of distractions to study. The Edge came to my rescue, and frankly probably saved my toosh from only scraping in some passes.
An offshoot of the State Library, The Edge is a hub for young people who are interested in media, the arts, and being a professional in their respective field. The amazing space faces the river at Southbank and have some stunning view over the city which you can admire at all times, given the walls facing out are ceiling to floor glass. Their facilities are fantastic with Mac labs, recording studios and booths along the river front where you can book to have group meetings. There’s access to projectors, power points and free Wi-​Fi, and I don’t think I’ve ever been there when there hasn’t been some sort of lecture/​community meeting/​performance there. Did I mention that they also have the essential ingredient to every study session– coffee!
The Edge is one of those fantastic public places which not enough people know about. Anyone can use it and it’s a great place to create, meet and study. If you are a student, or just want a place to chill out and get some work done– The Edge is the place to go.

I’m surprised that my favourite place to hang out in Brisbane does not involve food but The Edge ticks every other box in terms of ambience, physical comfort, and intellectual stimulation plus there’s the fact they don’t object to me bringing in food from outside.
The Edge opened in early 2010 as a digital cultural centre, a place to go to experiment with arts, technology, science and enterprise. They run various FREE workshops throughout the year from teaching basic digital skills to advance sound mixing, filmmaking and writing. I love their give-​anything-​a-​go attitude as is obvious in their latest experimentation with alternate reality gaming (ARG). They are currently developing a zombie versus humans ARG and are looking for volunteers if you want to step outside your comfort zone.
The Edge is also an exhibition/​conference space. Every time I visit there’s something different going on. Last week I caught the end of the Independent Games Festival. There’s nothing like playing student designed games while being serenaded by the Regional Youth Orchestra playing 8 bit video game music (aaaahhhh The Legend of Zelda)!
When the lab space is not being used for workshops, members of the public can book out these computers for personal use. I’m talking about high quality Mac computers with fast internet and a load of programmes including graphic/​design/​filmmaking software.
Perhaps my favourite thing to do at the Edge is to pack a lunch, bring a book or a dvd and just sit in one of the window bays overlooking the river. These semi private areas can be partitioned off with a curtain and have a projector and dvd player. Great for some alone time or for group meetings and projects.