Bars

Raise a glass to the extraordinary with our 2026 guide to Australia’s most iconic bars and watering holes. Australia’s nightlife has officially hit the global stage, with our major cities now home to some of the world’s most awarded cocktail lounges, gravity-defying rooftops, and historic "theatre pubs."

From the hidden, vinyl-spinning intimacy of Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (ranked among the world's top 20) to the high-glamour, 1950s-inspired showmanship of Sydney’s Maybe Sammy, our curated list covers the full spectrum of Australian drinking culture. Whether you are chasing a "world’s best" martini or a simple cold pint with a harbour view, these are the venues that belong on every traveler's itinerary.