Must-see nightlife in Australia & Pacific

  • Inside the Aireys Pub with fireplace.

    Aireys Pub

    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…

  • Exeter Hotel

    Exeter Hotel

    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…

  • The Standard interior, Northbridge.

    The Standard

    Perth

    Effortlessly straddling the divide between bar and restaurant, the Standard carries Northbridge's arty vibe into its colourful interior. Head through to…

  • Maybe Mae

    Maybe Mae

    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…

  • Nola

    Nola

    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…

  • Grace Emily Hotel

    Grace Emily Hotel

    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…

  • Disguised as Betta Meats on the outside, Earl's Juke Joint is acutally a hip bar that lights up at night.

    Earl's Juke Joint

    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…

  • Entry into Bar Rochford, Level 1, 65 London Circuit, Civic

    Bar Rochford

    Canberra

    Bearded barmen concentrate earnestly on their cocktail constructions and wine recommendations at this sophisticated but unstuffy bar in the Melbourne…

  • Loch Brewery & Distillery

    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…

  • Gurneys Cider

    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 Brewhouse

    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…

  • Mickey Bourke's Koroit Hotel

    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…

  • Land & Sea Brewery

    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…

  • Pomonal Estate

    Victoria

    Whatever your tipple, this popular winery, microbrewery and cider producer has you covered. It boasts a fantastic location within an architecturally…

  • Blackman's Brewery

    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 (…

  • Six Tanks

    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;…

  • Jetty Road Brewery

    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…

  • Mörk Chocolate Brew House

    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…

  • Keith

    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…

  • Waterwheel Beach Tavern

    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…

  • Art of Espresso

    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…

  • Hop Temple

    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…

  • Nelson Hotel

    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…

  • Archie Rose Distilling Co.

    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…

  • Mitchell Harris

    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…

  • Leonard's House of Love

    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…

  • Madame George

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Two patron saints of cool – Elvis Presley and Marlon Brando – look down in this compact space. Shoot the breeze with the friendly bar staff over a craft…

  • Love, Tilly Devine

    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,…

  • Mechanics Institute

    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…

  • Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn

    Christchurch

    With more than 30 taps featuring the best of NZ craft beers, Pomeroy’s is an essential Christchurch destination. Among this cosy British-style pub's other…

  • Black Sheep Coffee

    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…

  • Triffid

    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…

  • Felons Brewing Co

    Brisbane

    The long timber deck at this sprawling, polished microbrewery – part of the Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment – offers a knockout panorama of the river…

  • Smash Palace

    Christchurch

    Epitomising the spirit of transience, tenacity and resourcefulness that Christchurch is now known for, this deliberately downcycled and ramshackle beer…

  • Capital Brewing Co

    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…

  • Shambles Brewery

    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…

  • Siglo

    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…

  • La Lune Wine Co

    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…

  • Joe's Bar

    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…

  • Cloakroom Bar

    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…

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