10 Of The Best Cronulla Bars To Visit Now

The ultimate guide to the best bars in Cronulla in Sydney’s south.

The best bars in Cronulla lean into the neighbourhood’s laid-back beachie vibe. But there are also supper clubs and swanky lounges where you can frock up to have a tipple or two.

Whether you’re in the mood for a drink at a dive bar, a bottomless brunch or locally brewed craft beer, you’ll find eight of the best Cronulla bars hiding in plain sight.

1. Hurricane’s Grill & Bar

Meat and fish don’t have much of a commute to get to Hurricane’s Grill & Bar in Cronulla. Where possible, there’s also a roster of locally sourced spirits such as Ruby Wednesday Gin and Sunday Road Brewing craft beer. Sitting up at the bar is a different experience to dining in this expansive Luchetti Krell-designed space, which is both grand and glamorous.

Hurricane's bar Cronulla — Hurricane’s offers a vibrant list of classic cocktails with a twist.

As well as being one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, Hurricane’s is the place to head to for a fun night out. The restaurant is also proud of its extensive wine list.

Best for: Yellowfin tuna sashimi and a flight of artisanal G+Ts.
Address: 1/49 Gerrale St, Cronulla

2. Brass Monkey

This subterranean live music venue and basement bar is fitted out in plush red velvet with a speakeasy aesthetic. The entrance to the Brass Monkey is discreet. But it’s the dark and dim drinking den of your dreams once you find it. And one of the best bars in Cronulla for live music.

Band on stage at the Brass Monkey Cronulla. — Brass Monkey is one of the best places to enjoy live music in the Shire. (Image: Carla Grossetti)

As well as listening to local acts such as Jackson Carroll and Caravana San, the Brass Monkey attracts big-name blues and rock acts from around the world. The wine list and cocktail list are as crowd-pleasing as the food prepared by chefs from sister venue Yalla Sawa.

a live band performing at Brass Monkey — Enjoy everything from comedy nights to acoustic jams at the Brass Monkey Cronulla.

Best for: Live music and really exceptional Lebanese fare.
Address: 115A Cronulla St, Cronulla

3. Sista Gin

There’s a glimmer of energy that shows no sign of abating in Cronulla’s drinking and dining scene. Just as local real estate developers have been lured by Cronulla’s prime waterfront location, so too have entrepreneurs who want a slice of the action. Sista Gin is drawing crowds from all over the beachside suburb.

Hidden upstairs in Cronulla St, the dinky gin bar has an innovative list of cocktails. It also has a range of tapas and large plates to share including generous platters of charcuterie and cheese. The vibe is different from anything else in Cronulla at Sista Gin which pivots between being a restaurant and a cocktail bar.

Best for: Buffalo wings and a trio of dips.
Address: 7/1 Cronulla St, Cronulla

4. Cony’s

The menu and cocktails being created at Cony’s nod to the owner’s South American roots. Cony’s has you covered. Take a selfie in front of the wall art and boomerang your toast with spirit-forward drinks such as the Spicy Senorita (chilli-infused tequila) and Pisco Disco (pisco, whiskey and Cointreau).

Cocktails at Cony's Cronulla — Cony’s looks to Latin America for inspiration.

We love the Latina-leaning dishes such as Cony’s guacamole, and the signature ceviche. The bar looks like it would be right at home in Lima, Peru, and is popular with 20-somethings who like to frock up for the bottomless brunch on weekends.

Tortillas with ceviche at Cony's in Cronulla — Take your tastebuds to South America at Cony’s in Cronulla.

Best for: Spotting C-list celebs from reality TV while slurping cocktails.
Address: 15 Surf Road, Cronulla

5. The Blind Bear

You might be likely to find members of local bands, the Skegss , Ruby Fields or Adam Newling holed up in The Blind Bear when they’re not touring the world. If it’s not one of the band members bellying up to the bar, it might be one of their many stunt doubles who have trudged in from the beach looking like tousle-haired rock gods.

The Blind Bear is the dive bar of your dreams to enjoy an Old Fashioned while in Cronulla.

Order a G&T using small-batch Ruby Wednesday Gin distilled just down the road in Taren Point or from Hairyman Brewery , one of the local boutique breweries . This drinking hole is much loved in Cronulla and one of the best dive bars in Sydney.

The Blind Bear is one of the best bars in Cronulla. (Image: Carla Grossetti)

Best for:An Old-Fashioned cocktail and burger with the lot.
Address: 28 Cronulla St, Cronulla

6. The Pines Terrace

Looking to impress your date with dinner and drinks in Cronulla? Head to The Pines Terrace , which is designed for those who want to enjoy The Pines menu, albeit in a more relaxed and al fresco environment. The go-to al fresco spot for a sundowner is a space that has Bali beach club vibes written all over it. It’s a relaxed refuge that would also look right at home in the Hamptons.

You can sample signature dishes from the main menu at The Pines in the adjacent terrace bar.

It’s also considered one of the best bars in Cronulla due to its location overlooking The Alley, which makes it perfect for people-watching. The Pines Terrace is the more casual sibling to The Pines, which is one of the best restaurants in Cronulla. The Shire favourite is also open for breakfast.

cocktails ontop of a light white counter — Wine and dine at The Pines Terrace, the more casual offshoot of The Pines.

Best for: Wining and dining on the weekend.
Address: Unit 1/8-18 Kingsway, Cronulla

7. Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar

Surfing and boating have helped create Southern Cali vibes in Cronulla. But the waterside suburb in Sydney’s south has also become a destination for dining. This dinky little wine bar looks to have cleaned out a bordello to furnish it with its red velvet chairs and charmingly mismatched décor.

Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar is a top spot for a Sunday session.

Basically, you’ll find half of the suburb kicking back here with a drink on a typical weekend. The dimly lit Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar is tucked away down the lane it is named after.

Address: g8/30 Kingsway, Cronulla
Best for:

8. Low & Lofty’s

Low & Lofty’s looks like a place for good times. There’s a pinball machine, pork ribs, and lots of young people wiping sauce from their chins. Come searching for flavours of the Caribbean and find a slo-mo vibe that brings groups of friends together.

Dark and atmospheric bar in Cronulla — Low & Lofty’s is a lovely place to linger for a Caribbean-inspired cocktail.

Low & Lofty’s is tucked away upstairs away from the well-trodden corridor through Cronulla Plaza. And it’s a bit of a quest to massacre a tray of BBQ sticky brisket imbued with intoxicatingly smokey flavours. Bring on the joy of the Jamaican goat curry with a Jalisco summer cocktail in a jar.

A Caribbean cocktail — Keep it low-key over cocktails at Low & Lofty’s, Cronulla.

Best for: Hit the pinball machines before tucking into smoky ribs and craft beers.
Address: 51A Cronulla St, Cronulla

9. Old Joe’s

Shop, do yoga, rent a sailboard, eat acai, surf, and swim between the flags. These are, of course, some of the best things to do in Cronulla. Meanwhile, balance the ledger with a few cocktails with friends at Old Joe’s located in the multi-venue Northie’s Hotel.

An image of a cocktail at a table at Old Joe's in Cronulla — Old Joes is a cool bar for a cocktail with a sea breeze in Cronulla.

Guard your chippies closely from seagulls on days when the sky is swept clean blue and you’re eating and drinking outdoors. Because Cronulla’s population swells with visitors in summer, the suburb has a holiday-by-the-sea vibe. Catch the train to the southern beaches and you might actually make some new Sydney friends. This Laundy Hotel is one of the best places in Cronulla for a bevvy.

An image of a burger about to be eaten alongside cocktails and beer — Enjoy a big old bacon burger at Old Joe’s Cronulla.

Best for: Cocktails with the girls or a pub meal with the family.
Address: 141-143 Elouera Rd

10. Papa Js

Papa Js doffs its hat to local hospitality heavyweights Carl and Brooke Jensen, of Jensen’s Restaurant in Kareela. The sophisticated 1950s-style cocktail bar and lounge is best known for its dedicated martini and margarita menu.

The beautiful marble bar at Papa Js Cronulla — Sit and sip in style at Papa Js.

The Eurostyle bar is also perfect for cosying up in after a couple of G&Ts. Enjoy cheese and charcuterie or fried calamari and karaage chicken while sipping through the extensive drinks list.

Best for: A platter of cheese and charcuterie before or after the cinema.
Address: Shop 7, 2-6 Cronulla St, Cronulla

A cocktail sitting on a countertop at Papa Js, Cronulla — Spend the afternoon sipping mar-tea-nis in Cronulla.

Feeling hungry? Check out a local’s guide to 15 of the best restaurants in Cronulla.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

10 of the best bars in Cronulla for 2024