Thirsty? You’ve come to the right place. Time Out is known for recommending the best places to go out around the world, and that absolutely includes must-visit bars. Much like our restaurant scene, Australia is home to some of the grooviest, grungiest and downright glorious watering holes this world has ever seen. Case in point: Time Out has just dropped its 2025 roundup of the best bars in the world – and two Aussie standouts made the cut.
To curate our list of the world’s finest, funkiest and most fantastic bars, we asked Time Out’s international network of writers and editors to share their number one spot for a drink in their city.
In the 2025 ranking, two Australian bars made their mark among just 18 inclusions. Obviously, Melbourne’s ever-evolving bar scene featured on the list, with the handsome Apollo Inn landing in 11th place. Tucked inside a 1920s Neo-Renaissance building, this cosy, dimly-lit cocoon is perfect for old-world cocktail classics and sophisticated snacks. Apollo Inn’s refreshing Picon Bière is a one-way ticket to summer in France, but you can also never go wrong with the Gibson Martini.
Time Out Melbourne contributor Lauren Dinse says, “Your best bet for getting a table at this perennially popular 30-seater is to clock off early from work and pop in at around 4pm. Stay as long as you like; any night of the week, you’ll be made very welcome.”
Over in Sydney, Pleasure Club – a purple-hued, disco ball-lit basement bar where hedonism is not only welcome, but encouraged – landed in 16th on the world’s best bars list. Having opened in 2024, this late-night live-music bar was the first Newtown venue to be granted a 4am licence in more than 100 years. Time Out Sydney Editor, Avril Treasure, says the drinks are weird, wacky and tinged with nostalgia – think Cherry Ripe-inspired cocktails and even Vegemite Martinis. There’s a reason Pleasure Club won Best Cocktail Bar at Time Out Sydney’s Food and Drink Awards 2025 – head down and see why it lives up to the name.
You can read Time Out’s list of the world’s best bars here.