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