From laidback shacks to chic venues, these are the best beach bars across Australia.
It’s summer so it’s the perfect time to move all your social events to the beach. From family outings to nights out spent in the company of your dearest friends, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a relaxing drink with stunning views of the ocean. We’ve scoured Australia to find the best of the best for you, so grab your umbrella and sunscreen, because you’ll want to head straight to the beach after looking at our selections.Without further ado, here’s the 10 best beach bars across Australia.
The Best Beach Bars in Sydney
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The Bucket List
When people think of beaches in Australia, their first thought is the globally iconic Bondi beach. So let The Bucket List help you tick off one more life goal, by relaxing and enjoying all it has to offer – which is quite a lot. With a brilliantly vivid interior, plenty of space, views of breathtaking Bondi Beach, along with the requisite excellent selection of wine and cocktails, it makes sense that The Bucket List is at the top of our bucket list.
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El Camino Cantina
Find something to sing about at El Camino Cantina in Manly, whose infectious Mexican-inspired cheer is visible throughout the whole restaurant. Here, you’ll find bountiful tex-mex cuisine, colourful margaritas and brightly joyful decor. Plus, it’s nestled right on Manly Wharf so it’s both easy to get to and offers the rare opportunity to watch the sunset across the water, which is hard to find with Sydney’s East-facing coastline. From luxuriously long lunches to admiring the sunset, what better way is there to enjoy the beach?
The Best Beach Bars in Melbourne
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Sebastian Beach Bar & Grill
If you’re looking for luxury on the beach, you need to head no further than Williamstown, where the Sebastian Beach Grill & Bar offers the ultimate lounging experience. With an atmosphere inspired by the Basque country in Spain, the Latin-inspired cuisine and mix of Australian and Spanish wines will give you a sense of the extraordinary, while the blue-and-white décor will bring the nautical vibe.
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Republica
Republica provides a place for anyone to enjoy, right on the seaside of the stunning St Kilda Beach. Light wood furnishings give it a casual feel, while menus for any time and any age will ensure you’re welcomed no matter when you turn up (as long as it’s during opening hours). There’s even live music on the weekend, so if you’re looking for a new spot to relax with mates, head over to Republica.
The Best Beach Bars in Adelaide
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The Moseley Beach Club
The Moseley Beach Club combines influences from across both Europe and South East Asia, with its very own unique Australian flair to top it all off. Helmed by the Moseley Bar & Kitchen, the Beach Club is only open for the summer season so head down soon to enjoy your own beach lounge and coconut or pineapple drink, straight from the fruit.
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The Grand Bar
With a name that has a lot to live up to, The Grand Bar certainly delivers. Just steps away from Glenelg Beach, with sumptuous burgers and fish & chips perfect for the beachside (as well as a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails), it’s also housed in the beautiful Stamford Grand Adelaide and features live performances on the weekends.
The Best Beach Bars in Darwin
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Darwin Trailer Boat Club
Darwin Trailer Boat Club has the power of history on its side, because since it opened in 1954, it’s had a lot of time to get things just right. With brilliant views of Fannie Bay and a selection of seafood dishes to die for, as well as plenty of kid-friendly play areas, this is the perfect place to catch one of Darwin’s iconic beach sunsets. Don’t believe us? They recently raked in some prizes at the Hospitality NT Awards too – so you can expect great things here.
The Best Beach Bars in Perth
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Clancy's Fish Bar
Clancy’s calls itself a ‘fish pub’, which is an intriguing enough idea to head over just to see what it means. You won’t be disappointed as Clancy’s has a lot of virtues to its name, especially in its City Beach bar, with a café that opens from early and a restaurant that stays awake until late for an all-day appreciation for the views. It offers a variety of share plates, drinks, fish-centred cuisine, and anything from samba dancers to jazz bands in terms of entertainment.
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Scarborough Beach Bar
Bright, and brilliant – Scarborough Beach Bar in a phrase. Luscious cocktails and perfectly curated cuisine, combined with the colourful décor, make this a beach bar worth visiting. And since it’s on the second level, it has a perfect bird’s eye view of Scarborough Beach and the ocean that stretches beyond it. It’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon with friends or an evening celebrating something special.
The Best Beach Bars in Noosa
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Bistro C
Queenslanders, rejoice! The stunning Bistro C is open for anyone to come and enjoy the beauty of Noosa Main Beach accompanied by a curated menu inspired by Queensland’s quality produce. Opening bright and early at 7:30am and closing late, it’s the only place you’ll need to have the perfect beach day.
Keen to uncover more waterside restaurants and bars? Deep dive into the best waterfront eateries in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. Or, if you’d rather look for somewhere great you can swim, discover the best secluded beaches around Sydney.
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This article was first published on December 23 2018. It was updated and edited by Hunter and Bligh on January 10 2021.
