Great Ocean Road
Established in 1904, this pub is a survivor, twice burning down before closing in 2011, only to be revived by locals chipping in to save it. Now it's…
Must-see nightlife in Australia
Adelaide
Adelaide's best pub, this legendary boozer attracts an eclectic brew of postwork, punk and uni drinkers, shaking the day off their backs. Pull up a bar…
Perth
Effortlessly straddling the divide between bar and restaurant, the Standard carries Northbridge's arty vibe into its colourful interior. Head through to…
Adelaide
Down some stairs down an alleyway off a laneway, Maybe Mae doesn't proclaim its virtues loudly to the world. In fact, if you can't find the door, you won…
Adelaide
This hidden back-lane space was once the stables for the adjacent Stag Hotel. Out with the horse poo, in with 16 craft beers on tap, American and…
Adelaide
A true contender for the title of 'Adelaide's Best Pub', the Grace has live music most nights (alt-rock, country, acoustic, open-mic nights), kooky '50s…
Newtown & the Inner West
Swinging Earl's serves craft beers and killer cocktails to the Newtown hip-erati. It's hidden behind the down-at-heel facade of the Betta Meats butcher's…
Canberra
Bearded barmen concentrate earnestly on their cocktail constructions and wine recommendations at this sophisticated but unstuffy bar in the Melbourne…
-
Victoria
A shining example of regional Victoria's rise as an epicurean destination, this brewery and distillery occupies a 19th-century bank. Set up by a husband…
-
Victoria
Run by a family of expat Brits, Gurneys is an impressive, hands-on team of cider-makers who are passionate about producing real dry English ciders…
-
Great Ocean Road
Set up by renowned Otways brewery Prickly Moses, this taphouse pours an impressive range of its own and guest ales. The front bar is a classic pub and…
-
Great Ocean Road
At the forefront of Koroit's Irish heritage, this hotel (c 1853) with an art nouveau facade is a prominent landmark on the town's historic main street. It…
-
Noosa
Noosa's first microbrewery fills an impressive warehouse space in Noosaville's industrial area (ring about its courtesy bus). The brews are balanced, easy…
-
Victoria
Whatever your tipple, this popular winery, microbrewery and cider producer has you covered. It boasts a fantastic location within an architecturally…
-
Great Ocean Road
One of Victoria's best microbreweries is this brewpub, where you can taste all eight Blackman's beers, which are produced on-site. Go the tasting paddle (…
-
Darwin
Proof that there's some real quality along Mitchell St among the generic backpacker spots, this brewpub serves up its craft beers from 26 different taps;…
-
Victoria
Hidden away in the industrial backstreets of seaside Dromana is this well-respected taphouse known for brewing quality beers. As well as their core range…
-
Melbourne
You might spy Mörk in top cafes, restaurants and gift stores, but this is where the magic happens. Within a former 1950s bakery, this tiny chocolate cafe…
-
Byron Bay & Northern NSW
Bringing the cool to Murwillumbah, this retro '70s-style spot takes up an arcade space with its cafe-bar and deli shop. The coffee is excellent, and the…
-
Victoria
Head to the adjoining township of Lake Tyers, 9km east of Lakes Entrance, for this wonderfully relaxed coastal pub looking out to Ninety Mile Beach. There…
-
New South Wales
This is the best place in town to get coffee, thanks to Adrian – a coffee-obsessed owner who was the first person to launch mobile coffee carts in…
-
Victoria
Symbolic of Ballarat's meteoric rise from unglamorous country town to happening city is this converted red-brick warehouse tucked down a lane. There are…
-
Great Ocean Road
As real as outback pubs come, the Nelson Hotel (established 1848) is an essential stop for a beer and a friendly yarn with locals. It's got a character…
-
Newtown & the Inner West
This distillery has made quite an impact with its excellent gins – where better to try them than the place itself? The bar is appropriately industrial…
-
Victoria
This stylish red-brick space without a hint of pretension was set up by local winemakers Mitchell Harris. It showcases their own range as well as wines…
-
Melbourne
Inside what appears to be someone's '70s love-shack party house you'll find this American bar touting 'free love and cold beer'. The menu is mostly…
-
Surry Hills & Darlinghurst
Tilly Devine was a notorious Sydney madam and crime boss in the '30s, and her namesake bar is hidden down a back alley, in true furtive style. The dark,…
-
Perth
Negotiate the laneway entrance via the James St cul-de-sac – behind Alex Hotel – to discover one of Perth's most easy-going rooftop bars. Share one of the…
-
Brisbane
What began life as Brisbane's first speciality-coffee cart is now this welcoming industrial space, roasting and brewing the city's best joe on a…
-
Brisbane
Not only does the Triffid have an awesome beer garden (complete with shipping-container bars and a cassette-themed mural honouring Brisbane bands), but it…
-
Brisbane
The long timber deck at this sprawling, polished microbrewery – part of the Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment – offers a knockout panorama of the river…
-
Canberra
Out in industrial Fyshwick are straight-from-the-tap local craft beers served in a stylishly fitted-out taproom. Get your bearings with a tasting paddle…
-
Hobart
An excellent brewery just south of the NoHo strip, with minimalist interiors and a concrete-block bar. Head out the back to drink among the vats (and have…
-
Melbourne
Siglo's sought-after terrace comes with Parisian flair, wafting cigar smoke and serious drinks. It fills with suits on Friday night, but any time is good…
-
Brisbane
A favourite among local oenophiles, petite La Lune channels Europe with its intimate, moody vibe and enlightened wine list. Slip in and quaff anything…
-
Canberra
Colourful glass and draped metal beads add to the glitzy boho ambience at this attractive Italian wine bar attached to the East Hotel. The extensive…
-
Brisbane
You'll need to head down a side alley, up a fire escape and through an unmarked door to access this cocktail lounge, an intimate, grown-up affair complete…
-
Perth
Channeling an art deco ambience with funky lampshades and vintage French advertising, tiny Swallow is the kind of place you'd love as your local. Wine and…
-
Great Ocean Road
One of the main drawcards at Forrest is its microbrewery-pub, which was producing quality ales way before the craft-beer trend exploded. All beers are…
-
Brisbane
Paint the town and the front porch too: there's a honky-tonk bar in Brisvegas! Tarted up with chandeliers and mounted moose heads, scarlet-hued Lefty's…
