Best Hobart bars

Did you know the 1824 Cascade brewery opened a new bar? That art sensation Mona has two, and a Hobart establishment won Australian Hotel Bar of the Year? Next-generation drinking dens are joining some of the nation’s oldest pubs to make Tasmania’s capital a great place to pause for drinks. Cheers!

Frock up and celebrate your getaway at Hobart’s most glamorous bars, including the new Crowne Plaza hotel’s Aura. The city’s first rooftop venue is an instant hit for drinks with skyhigh panoramas, while The Glass House on Brooke Street Pier remains a favourite for waterfront views. This glass-walled restaurant and bar with 280-degree vistas seems to float above Sullivans Cove.

Named Australian Hotel Bar of the Year by Bartender Magazine in 2019, MACq 01 hotel’s Evolve Spirits Bar goes for moody, understated glamour – including 37 astonishing prehistoric fossils in glass cases. Legendary art museum Mona has also dug deep for its spectacular subterranean Void Bar, which is literally carved out of Triassic sandstone.

Fancy a dram of legendary Lark whisky? The internationally renowned Tasmanian distillery offers flights of their finest, as well as 250-plus whiskies from near and far, at their cosy cellar door and bar in the heart of Hobart. Steps away is the new bar by another top Tassie distillery, Forty Spotted. Gin(bar) not only serves gin cocktails; they also host masterclasses so you can make your own bespoke bottle with local ingredients.

For all kinds of spirits artfully shaken and stirred, it’s a tough choice between the intimate Gold Bar and Society, which has a library-like wall of liquor. Both showcase local distillers and craft classy cocktails in spaces with an inviting vintage golden glow. Perhaps a drink at each?

Mona sits amid one of Tasmania’s oldest vineyards – which still produces posh plonk best enjoyed at this multi-faceted museum’s indoor-outdoor Moorilla Wine Bar. Follow the path less travelled to Willing Bros Wine Merchants. A neighbourhood wine bar loved by locals and visitors in the know, this little space packs about 300 exceptional bottles on their list.

Two of Hobart’s hottest restaurants have opened wine-bar offshoots that continue their less-is-more approaches. Templo’s Sonny and Dier Makr’s Lucinda both champion natural wines and – no surprise given their culinary pedigree – do delicious small plates.

Cascade’s iconic heritage brewery has long served beers made on site, but their rustically stylish new bar makes you want to linger longer by the wood fire. Hobart Brewing Co is a relative newcomer to Tasmania’s brewery scene. Their big red shed and beer garden is more lo-fi but equally well suited to relaxing with house-made ales.

Hobart’s blessed with great old pubs, including the New Sydney Hotel. Opened in 1835, it’s packed with nostalgic charm including a big open fire, while beers and food straddle classics and contemporary craftiness. Also nicely mixing old and new tastes is The Whaler. It’s been a favourite Salamanca Place watering hole since sailors first frequented this sandstone building in 1829.

Fancy rum cocktails with Caribbean fare amid fun tropical decor? Join the conga line to Rude Boy. Japanese beer, whisky sake and bar food? Say konichiwa to Bar Wa Izakaya. Pancho Villa has tequila cocktails and Mexican street food covered, while hipster hot spot Preachers invites you to kick back in their 1849 cottage or the beer garden’s vintage bus. Want to be tempted by elegant tipples? Sashay into The Den, Institut Polaire or IXL Long Bar.

Please drink responsibly.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.