Must-see nightlife in New South Wales

  • Arq

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    If Noah had to fill his Arq with groovy gay clubbers, he’d head here with a big net and some tranquillisers. This flash megaclub has a cocktail bar, a…

  • Pocket Bar

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Sink into the corner of Pocket's comfy leather couches, order a drink from one of the cheery waitstaff, and chat about the day's adventures over a decade…

  • Bangalow Hotel

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Sit on the large deck of this much-loved and nicely preserved art-deco pub for a drink; listen to live music; and order good pub grub. Alternatively,…

  • The Cottage

    Sydney

    The sweet front patio and garden of this cute house tucked away but on the main street make super spots to kick back with an afternoon glass of wine or a…

  • The Welder's Dog

    New South Wales

    This outpost of the Armidale original is Tamworth's top spot for a craft brew, offering an interesting spread of local beers (including the ever-popular…

  • Wharf Local

    Tathra & Around

    Excellent brews and even better views make this local coffee place something special. Doubling as a gallery space and local museum, it's popular with…

  • Neighbourhood

    Sydney

    This smart food and wine bar has a brick-lined interior giving way to a wood-lined courtyard. Bondi Radio broadcasts live from a booth near the kitchen,…

  • Wine Library

    Sydney

    An impressive range of wines by the glass, a smart-casual ambience and a menu of delectable share plates and cheeses make this the most desirable library…

  • Miss Margarita

    Byron Bay

    A beach cantina offering seven versions of the classic margarita and an array of colourful, fruity cocktails. Soak up the tequila with Tex Mex favourites…

  • Little Guy

    Newtown & the Inner West

    Wedged into a typically narrow Glebe terrace house, this livens up the local scene with craft beer, wines, cocktails, events and cosy, almost…

  • Green Park Hotel

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    The ever-rockin’ Green Park has pool tables, rolled-arm leather couches, a beer garden with funky Dr Seuss–inspired lighting, and a huge tiled central bar…

  • Jack Duggans Irish Pub

    New South Wales

    This lively spot in the heart of town is a one-stop shop, with live music on weekends, good craic, cold Guinness and great quality Irish pub fare. Enquire…

  • Old Bank

    New South Wales

    Occupying the former Bank of NSW building (1876), this bar-restaurant is ineffably stylish and a cut above the rest of Dubbo's offerings, with plenty of…

  • Percy's Bar and Kitchen

    New South Wales

    This cornerside wine bar offers a good-sized wine list, a couple of tap beers and a changing menu of local brews. The food menu is simple, but all dishes…

  • Pacific Hotel

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Perched on the the cliffs overlooking Yamba Beach, this 1930-built hotel has some of the best pub views in Australia. There is regular live music and DJ…

  • Honeysuckle Hotel

    Newcastle

    The deck at this waterfront place, located in a cavernous but cool converted warehouse looking across at the port, is a perfect spot for a sundowner. The…

  • Mollymook Golf Club Beachside Bistro

    South Coast NSW

    Stupendous views over the northern end of Mollymook Beach at this popular sporting club and bistro. Bypass the food for the tap beer and sunset.

  • Republic of Coffee

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The most serious-about-coffee cafe in town, this espresso bar roasts its beans on-site.

  • Bill's Beans

    New South Wales

    You can't beat Bill's Beans for the best specialty home-roasted coffee in town.

  • Paddo Inn bar and grill.

    Paddo Inn

    Sydney

    The Paddo seems to get a new look every few years, perhaps in keeping with its prime fashion-strip position. The latest incarnation sees a luminous,…

  • Beach Hotel outdoor scene.

    Beach Hotel

    Byron Bay

    Soak up the atmosphere and catch a gig in the iconic beachfront beer garden, or get your night started with $12 happy-hour cocktails and $2 freshly…

  • Imperial Hotel.

    Imperial Hotel

    Sydney

    This neighbourhood watering hole offers a stylish interior, solicitous service, an extensive wine list and good steaks and other pub grub. In an…

  • Hotel Illawarra

    South Coast NSW

    A traditional brick-and-tile corner pub gone modern, this spot suits a quiet drink or a big night, depending on the day. Themed nights pop up in the…

  • Glengarry 'Hilton'

    New South Wales

    About 67km southwest of Lightning Ridge, this tin-shed pub in the middle of the Glengarry Opal fields is frequented by colourful local characters and…

  • Whitebull Hotel

    New South Wales

    Armidale’s signature 'blue' bricks are still in place, but the Whitebull has been stylishly revamped within, its bright open spaces drawing you towards a…

  • Oxford Hotel

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Over the course of several decades and numerous facelifts, the main bar at the Oxford has remained the locus of beer-swilling gay blokedom, although the…

  • Sticky Wicket Bar

    Byron Bay

    Catch up on Aussie and international sport on one of 13 screens lining the walls at this North American–style sports bar. Craft beers flow from the…

  • Bucket List

    Sydney

    By no means subtle, Bucket List blares out beachy pop over its excellent in-demand terrace and promotes a hedonistic good-times atmosphere. Sip on an ice…

  • Illawarra Brewery

    South Coast NSW

    Attached to the entertainment centre, this sports bar has its own craft beers on tap, plus occasional seasonal brews. Guest beers from around Australia…

  • Kinselas

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    A Taylor Sq institution and Mardi Gras icon, this converted funeral parlour has come back from the dead more times than we care to recall. The downstairs…

  • Sneaky Possum

    Newtown & the Inner West

    This cute cafe-bar has an attractive front bar, with a long, curved wooden counter offset by cheery murals of Australian fauna. Watch them kneading bread…

  • Four in Hand

    Sydney

    You can't go far in Paddington without tripping over a beautiful old pub. This is among the nicest, a classic corner space with an out-of-time ambience as…

  • Bald Rock Hotel

    Sydney

    Surrounded by brick walls and mechanics in Rozelle’s industrial hollows, this blue-collar pub (1876) has ripped out the scungy carpets and attempted to…

  • Clock Hotel

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Slip a coin into the jukebox, shoot some pool, dissolve into a booth and order happy-hour cocktails (5pm to 7pm weekdays) and a meal – the superrenovated…

  • Bar Cleveland

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Still a relaxed local pub despite its sexy deco curves, the centenarian Cleveland is a great spot to watch the footy, shoot some pool or chew the fat with…

  • Corner House

    Sydney

    Three spaces – the Kitchen (wine and pizza bar), Dining Room (restaurant) and Living Room (upstairs cocktail bar) – make this a particularly happy Italian…

  • Light Brigade

    Sydney

    Charge into this curvy art-deco pub for its relaxed ground-floor sports bar with a good-value menu, a pool table, and lots of black tiles and angular…

  • Beauchamp Hotel

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    The design lords have transformed this old corner pub into something very hip indeed. On weekends it gets packed – and incredibly noisy – with stylish…

  • New Brighton Hotel

    Manly

    This refurbished boozer now boasts four bars on four levels. The food is unremarkable and the craft beer expensive, but sitting on the wraparound balcony…

  • Middle Pub

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Take in the streetscape from the broad verandah of this classic old corner pub, or sink into a velvet armchair in the front lounge with its bohemian vibes…

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