A local's guide to the best bars in Cronulla

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

The best bars in Cronulla bottle the beachside suburb’s laid-back vibes. But that doesn’t mean it’s all boardies and beers. In fact, there’s everything from supper clubs to swanky lounges and wine bars where you can frock up to have a tipple or two.

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. Whether you’re in the mood for a drink at a dive bar, a bottomless brunch, subterranean music den or al fresco bar housed in a party pub, these are 16 of the best Cronulla bars worth your time in 2026.

The Terrace Cronulla

The Terrace in the new Parc Pavilion draws crowds from all over the beachside suburb for its sharp cocktails (hello Parc Passionfruit Pornstar). Order a platter of antipasto and pork and fennel meatballs or carb load on pizza, pane and pasta. The vibe is different from anything else in Cronulla thanks to the crowd of young things embracing fashion’s extremes.

Best for: On a sun-drenched day, the place to be is on an al fresco table overlooking Monro Park.
Address:  138-142 Cronulla St, Cronulla

Homer Rogue Taverna

There is something very civilised about stopping in at Homer Rogue Taverna in Cronulla for a drink and bite. Brothers Harry and Mario Kapoulas (of nearby HAM caf) modelled the venue on the kind of gritty gastrokafenio (Greek cafe meets wine bar) they discovered on a recent reccie to Athens. That translates to brown-paper tablecloths, sepia-toned photographs tacked to the walls, a towering wine fridge and roster of fabulously rustic homespun fare. Those popping in for bar bites and a glass of Greek wine should opt for a stone-baked koulouri and selection of dips.

Best for:  Honest food, good wine and a welcoming vibe.
Address: 3/3 Surf Road, Cronulla

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 newly renovated bar, it might be one of their many stunt doubles who have trudged in from the beach looking like tousle-haired rock gods. Order a G&T featuring Ruby Wednesday Gin distilled just down the road or from Hairyman Brewery , one of the local boutique breweries . This American-style drinking hole was recently given a Nashville honky tonk nip and tuck; expect a line-up of live music and more than 100 whiskeys from around the world.

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

Fred’s After Hours

Cronulla’s most polished ‘after dark’ address doubles as a low-lit sepia-toned wine bar where you can slide onto a leather banquette for a glass of Ruinart and a couple of caviar crumpets. The team at Fred’s Providore dim the lights for Fred’s After Hours in the early evening, keeping the vibes intimate and European with warm wood panelling, marble and mood lighting and 16 wines by the glass. As well as being one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, Fred’s After Hours is the perfect place to pop in for bar snacks like gildas, focaccia with roasted red pepper dip and a luxe lobster roll.

Best for: Refined bar bites and excellent wine
Address: 109 Cronulla St, Cronulla

Hurricane’s Grill & Bar Cronulla Beach

Hurricane’s Grill & Bar Cronulla Beach is more than just a restaurant; it’s one of Cronulla’s most unexpected bar hangs. Perch at the island bar, tucked into the venue’s sleek, cave-like curves, and you will get a completely different read on the room: glowing bottles, clinking Champagne flutes, bartenders pouring shots with popping pearls and boozy slushies for the sun-kissed walk-ins. Choose locally sourced spirits and small plates from the raw bar – Hiramasa kingfish, oysters, tuna tostadas with avocado mousse – while watching the action unfold in this expansive Luchetti Krelle-designed space.

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

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. It’s also one of the best bars in Cronulla for live music. As well as listening to local acts such as Jackson Carroll and Caravana San, Brass Monkey attracts 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.

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

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 beach club vibes written all over it. It’s considered one of the best spots in Cronulla due to its location overlooking The Alley, which makes it perfect for people-watching. The Pines is also open for breakfast from Friday to Sunday.

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

Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar

Cronulla’s breezy, beach-forward lifestyle leans a little SoCal these days. And this dinky little wine bar is emblematic of that, loved as much for its tapas as its pours. With its red velvet chairs and charmingly mismatched decor, the bar feels a little bit bohemian, a little bit bordello. Tucked down its namesake lane, it’s the kind of cosy nook where first-timers to Cronulla will feel like they’ve stumbled onto a local secret. The dimly lit Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar is tucked away down the lane it is named after. Slip into a booth when there’s live tunes and you’ll understand why half the suburb is squeezed in here for a drink and a graze.

Address: G8/30 Kingsway, Cronulla

Low & Lofty’s

Trust me. Low & Lofty’s is a place for good times. There’s a pinball machine, meltingly tender fall-apart 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. Low & Lofty’s is tucked away upstairs away from the well-trodden corridor through Cronulla Plaza. It’s a bit of a seven-serviette quest to massacre a tray of BBQ sticky brisket imbued with intoxicatingly smoky flavours. Bring on the joy of the Jamaican goat curry with a Jalisco summer cocktail in a jar.

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

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. 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 make some new Sydney friends. This Laundy Hotel is one of the best places in Cronulla for a bevvy.

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

Mr Monro

You’ll see some of Cronulla’s best stirrers and shakers in this bar overlooking the park it’s named after. And they’re not behind the bar! When there’s a big game on, this Parc Pavilion sports bar is less about keeping the conversation flowing and more about yelling “Gottim". Or chanting “the boys in the black, white and blue" in unison. This new Cronulla bar is all about enjoying sport on the big screen over good food and drink. And the camaraderie is palpable. With a packed slate of games on the horizon for the year – cricket, tennis, NRL, AFL, soccer – the only reason for you not to have a tip-top time at Mr Monro is if your team is tanking.

Best for: Regardless of what season is in full swing, there’s not a bad seat in the house for sporting fans.
Address: 138-142 Cronulla St, Cronulla

Papa Js

Papa Js doffs its hat to local hospitality heavyweight Carl Jensen (Papa J) and his wife Brooke, of Jensen’s Restaurant in Kareela. The sophisticated 1950s-style bar and lounge has acres of marble and a Rat Pack-era feel. Browse the leather menus for classic cocktails or peruse the dedicated list of martinis and margaritas. The Euro-leaning bar is where Shire A-listers like to lounge.  But it’s also perfect for cosying up in a discreet corner after a couple of G&Ts. Enjoy cheese and charcuterie on Papa’s deli plate, crispy duck pancakes or Japanese prawn cutlets 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

Zinc Bar

There’s much more than meets the eye at this OG beach bar in Cronulla. The sun-drenched bar looking down the barrel at the Alley break has become a Cronulla institution. Apart from those killer sea views, the drinks are on point, and the specials – such as the steak frites night on Wednesdays – consistently excellent.  The bar is a bit of a party palace, with live music, and a regular roster of DJs spinning Sets by the Sea. In 2025, Zinc Bar turned 20. And while it may look low-key, that milestone gives us good reason to celebrate with a few Jello shots, lychee martinis and a boogie. Head here for a Sunday sesh after a surf.

Best for: Getting a bit wild on weekend.
Address: 1 McDonald St, Cronulla

Alphabet St

Alphabet St created a new template for Cronulla restaurants. The Natale Group also has Johnny Hu , a sophisticated supper lounge slinging cocktails and pan-Asian bites, and Giro Osteria a few doors down where you can enjoy a glass of wine and plate of charcuterie. And while Alphabet St is best known for its outrageously good Thai food, we reckon the restaurant and bar quietly kicked off the suburb’s craft cocktail revolution. And it’s all down to one incredible appletini. Of course, you’ve also got young, hip bartenders with moustaches and theatrical flair when it comes to shaking things up.

Best for: Enjoying a few appletinis and bar bites.
Address: 5/8 Kingsway, Cronulla

Cony’s

The menu and cocktails being created at Cony’s nod to owner Cony Henriquez’s South American roots. Cony’s has you covered. Take a selfie in front of the wall art and a boomerang while clinking glasses of spirit-forward drinks such as the Spicy Senorita (chilli-infused tequila) and Pisco Disco (pisco, whiskey and Cointreau). We also love the Latina-leaning dishes such as Cony’s guacamole with corn chips 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. Come golden hour, the vibe at the cafe shifts from breezy to buzzy.

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

The Alley at Rydges Cronulla Beachside

The median house price in Cronulla is around $3.4 million. If buying a house in the desirable beachside suburb is not on your cards, then you may as well lord it up at an outdoor table at this buzzy bar with water views. There’s always a crowd funnelling to or from the beach at The Alley ,  where you can sit and sip as the sun goes down and the light from the moon pools over the water. Feeling peckish? There’s an excellent food offering of smashable share plates like karaage chicken, spicy wings, and arancini. The bar has that easy, breezy Cronulla coastal energy down pat.

Best for: The Alley is a beaut for a post-swim sesh.
Address: 20/26 Kingsway, Cronulla

Discover the best restaurants in Cronulla

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

A local’s guide to the best bars in Cronulla