The best bars in Australia

Newtown’s late-night live-music bar and debauchery den, Pleasure Club, won Best of the Year at Time Out Sydney's Food & Drink Awards 2025. It was the first Newtown venue to be granted a 4am licence in more than 100 years, and it's just what Sydney needs. The mix of entertainment (live music and other types of performers) will ensure a different type of experience every single night, so no matter when you drop in, you’re going to have a wild and fun time. Plus, the cocktails – curated by gun-shaker Matt Whiley – are seriously wacky and wonderful. Think: a Vegemite Martini. 

Time Out tip: Before the live music starts, you can give a donation to the bar and they'll give you a token for the jukebox. And they do a plant-based hot dog too.

Where: 6 Wilson St, Newtown, Sydney, NSW

A proud purveyor of vinyl, Caretaker's Cottage has its petite bar bracketed by imposing speakers that clearly signal the bar’s love of music. It’s a house-party vibe in a Gothic cottage behind Wesley Church with real, caring service that saw the bar wind up 21st on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024. The drinks helped too, of course, like the seasonal Hail Santa with Four Pillars Christmas gin, peach and sparkling wine or a classic Corpse Reviver #1. The bar version of good things coming in small packages, and the well-deserved Bar of the Year Winner at Time Out Melbourne's Food & Drink Awards 2025.

We’re not sure who Mae is or why she’s feeling so uncertain, but her underground speakeasy sure is cool. Whatever you do, don’t listen to Google Maps if you’re searching for the unmarked bar. Hidden between Adelaide's two famed small-bar streets, Peel and Leigh, Maybe Mae demands a few twists and turns, plus a push of a camouflaged timber door. Upon entering the shadowy bar, you’ll be greeted with a vague 1950s-inspired fit-out accompanied by a semi-circle of leather booths which invite you to stay for a good time and a long time. Pair that with a native-ingredient forward cocktail list and fine wines, and you’ve got yourself a pretty seductive combo underpinned by a sustainable ethos, and an award-winning one at that. Duck in for a quick G'n'T after work or spend the entire night lounging about living your yesteryear dreams ‘til 2am, with a Booze and Juice of juiced-to-order apple, whiskey, lime and cracked black pepper – it’s been on the menu since day dot for a reason.

Time Out tip: Head upstairs to Bread and Bone Wood Grill afterwards if you’ve worked up an appetite (queue the drippy burgers and spot-hitting hot dogs).

Where: 15 Peel Street, Adelaide, SA

It’s not a list of Hobart’s best bars without Sonny – this place has vibes almost as big as its wine list. Sonny is like heading to a friend’s house for dinner, albeit a mate with serious chops in the kitchen. There are just 20 seats for walk-ins along the centre table, with diners on one side and chatty staff pouring wine and handing out food from the other. The theme here is communal, from the layout of the venue to the plates of pasta you can share with your mates. Whet your appetite with fare that sounds a little like asparagus fusilli, prosciutto toast, and kingfish crudo. The rustic plates and simple, yet effective and certifiably jam-packed with garden-fresh flavours. Following that, trust the process with a mystery wine chosen by Sonny’s clued-up bartenders – you’re in good hands here. With tunes spinning all evening on the record player, you might even feel the urge to share your dance moves, too.

Time Out tip: Sonny only accepts walk-ins, so we suggest getting there early, heck, even before the doors open if you’re feeling particularly peckish – it’s one of the best restaurants to do it.

Where: 120a Elizabeth Street, Hobart, TAS

If anyone ever complains about Canberra’s nightlife, just nod quietly and then laugh all the way up the stairs to Bar Rochford, where you will be enjoying a glass of the grippy, slightly zesty Ravensworth shiraz from Hilltops and Murrumbateman. Once you’re up in the cosy confines of this first-floor bar, you could be in Melbourne, Munich or Manhattan. Art Deco touches and eccentric works of art are a feast for the eyes, while arched windows allow soft sunrays to brighten the mostly monotone loft. This is undoubtedly the best little wine bar in the ACT, and once you’re here, you’ll never ever want to leave. Let the bartenders guide you on a vinous journey that traipses the world, but if you don’t order food too, it’s a lost opportunity. Follow it all with a port or sherry, more specially the ten-year-old Quinta do Vallado Old Tawny from Porto, Portugal, if we may suggest.

Time Out tip: As well as the libations, the pretty edible creations are worthy of a snap. So clean your lens, capture Bar Rochford’s glorious plates and send them to the group chat for safekeeping.

Where: Melbourne Building, 1/65 London Cres, Canberra, ACT

Melburnians never needed the succession of big international awards to know that the Black Pearl is where you go for a bloody good cocktail – though undoubtedly those accolades benefited the travellers who now flock to the bar as a checklist destination. The family-run bar in Fitzroy has been a beacon of excellence for more than 20 years. Not content to sit pretty on tried-and-tested masterpieces, the list is always on the move, keeping in step with moods and seasons. This Fitzroy stayer delivers killer cocktails downstairs and upstairs in the attic, you get more of the same but with a quieter, date-night vibe.

For a little bar, Maker certainly packs a big punch. Tucked away down a cool pedestrian laneway in South Brisbane, Maker makes its appearance. Perhaps more-so hidden in plain sight, the wee 20-seater den is camouflaged with its black minimalist fit-out and decor, and located unassumingly next to a car park’s entryway. Although small, the mighty bar delivers the goods, shaking and stirring a rotating list of cocktails, each presented like a true work of art. Think square ice cubes that freeze mushrooms in time. Stick with something from the seasonal menu or be bold with a bespoke number – just tell the bartenders what you’re in the mood for. We’re never not thinking about Maker’s take on a Margarita with tequila, pineapple, coriander, jalapeno and lime rimmed with tajin (red chilli, lime and sea salt). Pair your libation with bar snacks that you absolutely won’t find elsewhere in town. There’s a reason Maker has laid claim to an award or so.

Time Out tip: Maker only accepts walk-ins, so if you’re extra keen on a seat, we recommend getting in early for a tipple you’ll likely not regret.

Where: 9 Fish Lane, South Brisbane, QLD

Sydneysiders love nothing more than ‘secret’ bars, rooftops, serious cocktails and a side of good chat – and Old Mate’s Place has ’em all in spades. The part forgotten library and part unsuspecting CBD rooftop has carved out a place for itself at the top of the heap, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. Tropical cocktails are the drawcard here, but it’s also smart to order a Philly cheese steak – try the classic, a squishy roll stuffed with thin slices of beef, onions and a whole lot of melted cheese.

Bobèche is the basement cocktail bar behind some of Perth’s best brews. Whether you visit as a bar-hopping pit stop, mosey on in after a long day in the office, or head in to make a night of it, you’re going to have a good time. The team is ready and raring to shake, mix or stir a stunning concoction. They also appreciate the classics, whether you’re partial to an Old Fashioned or are a little more Martini inclined. Their teapot punches are perfect to share with friends, and the alcohol-free drink list is constantly evolving. Bar food is delivered straight from the kitchen of their upstairs sister venue, Heritage Wine Bar, if you’re feeling peckish. Think fish croquettes, steak tartare, divine cured meat and cheese platters, sardines on toast, and baby burgers. You’ll be well on your way to bar heaven amidst Bobèche’s bygone speakeasy complete with Chesterfield couches, vintage floor lamps, and a silver-gilded bar that demands your attention. 

Time Out tip: If you’re on the hunt for a bargain (essential in this economy), pop into Bobèche between 5pm and 6pm to relish their happy hour deals.

Where: Basement, 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA

When you want to drink in the Valley but want to keep it classy, sashay over to Savile Row. Located inconspicuously behind an unmarked orange door and down a dark and winding staircase, this whiskey and cocktail bar is a tribute to the iconic central London strip known for its exquisite tailoring. The interior too takes things back to bygone years with gold-gilded frames adorning the walls, a timer-clad bar that’s complete with a ladder that glides across the six-tier shelves and crystal chandeliers that loom above the speakeasy action. Shuffle into one of the intimate leather booths beside the vintage wallpaper for top-shelf cocktails, which are refreshed every quarter. Savile Row’s hot hits include The Looking Glass of gin, mirepoix, dry vermouth and pickled celery for an unexpectedly refreshing sip, as well as the Highball of whisky, cognac, passionfruit and a touch of chamomile. They might even light your drink on fire, too. 

Time Out tip: Trust the team to guide you with their top pick from their shiny gallery of 1,000 booze bottles. No request is off the cards at Savile Row.

Where: 667 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD

It's a little bit French and a big bit classy. La Buvette has raised the late-night drinking scene in Adelaide’s West End to new heights. Not to yuck anyone's yums, but most of the booze rooms around here are mainstream haunts with notoriously sticky dancefloors, broken toilet doors, multi-coloured flashing lights and somewhat stale-smelling – which is exactly what the doctor orders, sometimes. But we’re here to chat about the finer things in life, or the West End. La Buvette delivers something far more refined: meticulously selected French wines and aperitifs in understated laneway surrounds amped up by streetside, Drucker bistro chairs. Close your eyes, count to three and step inside the closest thing to Gap Paree in Adelaide – all thanks to yesteryear light fixtures, marble tabletops and an intricate wooden bar, exposed stone walls and beams, gold detailing, along with a deep blue colour palette that is just downright sexy. Order yourself a bottle of rosé from Côte De Provence, France, and you’ll need not book yourself a long-haul.

Time Out tip: It’s not just about the tipple at La Buvette – French fare is to be expected. Feeling adventurous? Sample the escargots à l'Alsacienne – that’s snails prepared with butter, white wine and plenty of garlic and parsley too.

Where: 27 Gresham Street, Adelaide, SA

If you fancy a good rum, Sneaky Tony's has your name written all over it. A hop, skip or stumble down an alleyway in Chinatown and you’ll find yourself at the unassuming door of Sneaky Tony’s – Perth’s top secret premium rum bar. If you wish to enter, you’ll have to proclaim the daily password, which may or may not be found on Facebook or Instagram. Once you mutter those magic words to the gatekeeper through the tiny, peeking-shutter in the prohibition-style door – well there are a few more doors – but then you’ll be met with an exposed-brick and timber-laden speakeasy with a touch of American-forward decor. With shelves boasting an impressive collection of more than 300 rums from all four corners of the globe, there’s sure to be something to tickle your fancy. Or, go hard on the cocktails, in which you can order an entire crystal punch bowl. For those after hard liquor, the expert mixologists will pinpoint the perfect drink for you.

Time Out tip: There’s no signage on the outside of Sneaky Tony’s locale. Just listen carefully for the tunes, and keep a weather eye on punters who look like they know what they’re doing.

Where: 38 Roe Street, Northbridge, Perth, WA

Brisbane’s West End neighbourhood might be renowned for its cheap and cheerful bars, but this definitely isn’t one of them. Behind the floor-to-ceiling velvet curtain, more than 500 bottles await, with some seriously luxe drams on offer. As with any good whisky bar, the atmosphere is old-world inspired featuring a counter made of one solid polished plank, mining-style light fixtures, Chesterfield couches, plenty of exposed brick and crusty wax candles that appear to have been dripping since day dot. Five stacked shelves house the bottles from all corners of the globe, complete with a sliding ladder to access the goods. Scottish, American and Australian nectar are the usual offenders, but Japan and Ireland give ‘em a run for their money too. Curiously named cocktails that are something of a potion are a big part of Cobbler’s offering too, take for example the sweet, fluffy and light Operation Eisenfaust of Fords Gin, macadamia-infused Lillet, egg white, coconut and citrus with a dusting of nutmeg. 

Time Out tip: Ice, ice, baby. Hand-cut blocks are Cobbler's thing.

Where: 7 Browning Street, West End, Brisbane, QLD

What must be Sydney’s tiniest bar, tucked into a repurposed car spot at the end of an unassuming CBD laneway, is a micro version of a honky-tonk down in Mexico. For starters, Cantina OK! serves the benchmark Margarita on the market, shaken with a 50/50 blend of tequila and mezcal, shaved ice and orange oil. But more than that, you’ve got to applaud the audacity required to pull this concept off and the energy it takes to pump out an absurd volume of drinks in what’s essentially a broom closet.

Underground bar Society is located in buzzy Salamanca, and if you love cocktails, it’s a must-visit. Descend the steps into the bar and you’ll be greeted with a huge wall of spirits – the biggest range in Hobart, in fact – complete with a sliding, library-style ladder. The speakeasy is old-timey-ish with a gold, pressed metal sitch going on and a couple of Chesterfield couches scattered around the low-lit room. But Society Salamanca brings things up to speed with a humongous disco ball that overlooks the tomfoolery, as well as overhanging fairy lights that wholly illuminate the den. The seaside paintings are an odd but welcome sight too. As for the libations, the cocktail list is large and heavily features local gin and whisky, but the bartenders can whip up anything that takes your fancy. How about a Pandan Peacock with gin, white rum, vodka, honeydew, coconut, lime, orgeat syrup and of course, pandan. The jarred dried fruits that sit atop the bar are a testament to Society’s zest to serve you pretty mixtures, too.

Time Out tip: If you want to kick back and settle in, Society serves pizza until midnight, so there’s really no reason to leave.

Where: 22 Montpelier Retreat, Battery Point, Hobart, TAS

Don’t be deterred by the menacing Grim Reaper mural on the wall outside. The welcome is warm, and so is the ambience inside this cavernous former warehouse in Brisbane’s oldest laneway, Burnett Lane. The amber glow of 1,000 bottles of quality booze behind the bar will warm even the darkest of hearts, which complements the bygone interior quite nicely. Spherical leather-studded booths await your tush and the worn-looking floorboards have seen many a lock-in, we’re sure of it. Antiquated books rest down the back of the room in grand glass cabinets that have more than their own tales to tell, too. Death and Taxes draws in Brisbane’s whisky enthusiasts, having won awards in the category over recent years, but tipple of all kinds are poured seven days a week. If it’s something aromatic you’re after, try the Marisa Tomei of gin, bergamot, white peach, thyme and soda. On the other hand, if you’re feeling a tad zesty, opt for the Blake Bortles of tequila, pineapple, coriander, mint, jalapeno, lime and chilli salt. And as the team says, “Tis impossible to be sure of anything but death and taxes.”

Time Out tip: You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the big ol’ wooden doors that are guarded by brass lion-head door knockers.

Where: 36 Burnett Lane, Brisbane, QLD

For the best cocktails in Perth, look no further than Foxtrot Unicorn. Descending the steps into the bar is like descending into another time period, one where decadence abounds and libations are liberal. The former bank vault that dates back to 1887 is now jarrah-clad and filled to the brim with up-cycled materials and vintage bits and bobs from Western Australia’s hospitality history. Despite the old-timey feel of the fitout, the cocktail list is surprisingly contemporary, finding creative uses for native flavours – but if you tend not to stray from tradition, Foxtrot Unicorn will fix you something that matches the decor (queue a Negroni). Inventive numbers might include a Strawberry Gum Gimlet, Quandong Native Blinker or perhaps a Fingerlime Breakfast Martini – all high on our rotation, that’s for sure. And as tempting as the drinks list is, the menu of cheesy jaffles you’ll find on offer is an incongruous pairing that somehow just makes sense. There’s a reason Foxtrot Unicorn comes in hot with a slew of awards behind it.

Time Out tip: Vegans look away – Foxtrot Unicorn doesn’t shy away from taxidermy (preserved animals), which can understandably give some people the heebeegeebees.

Where: Basement, 101 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA

Above Board is a bar in the same way that Tame Impala is a band. At Above Board, you're in Hayden Lambert’s house, even if he has a bit of help some nights. The bespectacled host will determine if you’re after a classic or a signature cocktail, but you’re also getting a little bit of a chat and a silly joke with every drink he dispenses from the bar that is the heart and control centre of this tiny venue. There's only a handful of seats, and all of them face the drinks action where Lambert is putting the art back in artisanal.

It takes a lot of confidence to lean into a space-themed bar, but that's precisely what's going on here at Bar Planet. From the industry legends that brought us Sydney institutions Tio’s, Cantina OK and The Cliff Dive comes the next great nocturnal adventure: a psychedelic Inner West dive-bar re-imagining the world's most divisive cocktail, the Martini. What makes this Martini so special, however, is the eternal spirit made just for the bar, with constant top-ups and redistillations to keep things interesting. A short and sharp list of Italian Sgroppino is a refreshing change of pace when, and if, you need a break from the Martinis, which are poured from a height into your awaiting glass.

Okay so it’s apparent – Adelaide loves a good old-fashioned laneway-situated bar, and Hains and Co is no exception to the unofficial rule. Sail your yacht down Gilbert Place in the West End and moor yourself for the evening. The nautical theme is a little out of whack in downtown Adelaide but charming in its own slightly incongruous way: think wall-mounted anchors, antiquated maritime decor, endless lengths of ropes, and tiny boats in bottles. And since the bar is apparently cobbled together from chunks of the old Largs Bay jetty, this shipshape aesthetic certainly passes muster. It’s a handsome port in a storm and a beaut of a bar, perfect for a gin on a hot afternoon or a rum (which is never gone) on a cold night. Once you’ve got your bearings, we suggest the Dark ‘n’ Stormy paired with a little something off the cigar menu from Cuba, Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic, if that’s your thing. Just make sure to position yourself on the deck (outside) for that sweet sea breeze.

Time Out tip: Take your Pirates of the Caribbean-loving friend to Hains and Co – it’ll be sure to give ‘em a thrill, me hearties.

Where: 23 Gilbert Place, Adelaide, SA