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

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 .

A local’s guide to the best bars in Cronulla