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.

Make this dazzling stretch of beaches and natural wonders your home base for a grand adventure

Whether you’re setting out solo, bringing a mate, or packing in the whole family, no road trip along Australia’s East Coast is complete without at least a few days spent exploring the Coffs Coast. A stunning stretch of NSW coastline nestled between ancient high-elevation rainforests and magnificent, undiscovered beaches, Coffs offers amazing biodiversity, stunning natural beauty, and heaps of local charm, without the crowds. Pull up in Coffs Harbour , your perfect home base for these unforgettable day-trips.

1. Southern Beaches

The Coffs region boasts 30 of Australia’s most beautiful, unspoiled beaches, directly abutting a dramatic tableau of mountains and rainforests. Drive South of Coffs Harbour to find up-and-coming surf destinations where it’s still possible to catch an empty wave. First up is the picturesque Sawtell village . Wander the famous fig-tree-lined main street packed with laid-back places to eat and drink. Enjoy panoramic views and seasonal whale sightings at Bonville Headland on the Southern end of the beach.

Nearby Bongil Bongil National Park boasts seven kilometres of empty beach, along with hiking and cycling trails through beachfront rainforests – keep an eye out for koalas living in the trees. Boambee Beach and Boambee Creek Reserve are great for families, with shallow waters perfect for kayaking and SUPing, plus an off-leash dog beach.

family eating lunch in sawtell — Experience small-town charm in Sawtell.

2. Orara Valley Tourist Trail

The Orara Valley Tourist Trail has it all: hinterland bushwalks, birdwatching, horse riding, pristine swimming holes and rolling green pastures dotted with dairy farms and historic villages. And it’s only 15 minutes west of Coffs Harbour.

Sample produce at a roadside stall, stop into Coramba Hotel for a quintessential country pub lunch, or try the Idle in Cafe in Nana Glen for coffee and scones. Then spend the afternoon kayaking the Orara River or mountain biking on Mt Coramba. If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the 4WD touring route along the Orara Escarpment in Bindarri National Park , a rugged landscape with dazzling views that winds through untouched eucalypt rainforests and waterfalls.

A family sitting by the Orara Valley Tourist Trail. — Explore the green heart of Coffs.

3. Dorrigo National Park

Enjoy a classic day trip from Coffs to forest bathe in some of the oldest subtropical rainforests in the world at Dorrigo National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests. These million-year-old ecosystems promise rare bird sightings, towering strangler figs, and epic walking tracks and picnic spots. Try the 6.6 km Wonga Walk to experience dreamy Crystal Shower Falls (where you can walk behind the falls) and the Skywalk Lookout, which offers spectacular views of the valley and coast. Then stop in Dorrigo town for a homey lunch. It’s worth noting that a section of the road between Ulong and Dorrigo – which dates to the 1880s – is unsealed, adding to the area’s end-of-the-earth allure but making travel difficult in adverse weather conditions. Alternatively, head to Dorrigo via the delightful township of Bellingen .

Three people standing at the SkyWalk lookout. — Wander the Skywalk.

4. Northern Beaches

For another tranquil expanse of sun, sand and surf breaks, head north to Woolgoolga (Tourism Australia’s Best Mainland Beach for 2025. Taste the coffee and local-produce breakfast at one of several cafes, then spot whales during their migration season along the Woolgoolga Whale Trail to the headland. Emerald Beach offers clear blue waters and another headland walk, perfect for taking in views of South Solitary Island, a dramatically rocky-cliffed island with a historic lighthouse. Red Rock, some 40km north of Coffs and named for its striking coastal rock formations, boasts a gorgeous estuary reserve that’s perfect for languorous days spent picnicking, swimming, fishing, and connecting with the relaxed local pace.

Freshly caught seafood by the beach, with sparkling ocean views. — Enjoy fresh seafood overlooking Woolgoolga Beach.

5. Jetty precinct

You could easily spend a whole day exploring the Jetty precinct – from its foreshores to the marina to Muttonbird Island. Start with fresh fish and chips from local institution Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co-op , before browsing the popular Harbourside Markets held every Sunday on the foreshores.

Take a scenic walk along the breakwall to Muttonbird Island , a cultural and ecological treasure with panoramic views and rich Gumbaynggirr heritage. The Giidany Miirlarl Education Space shares the island’s ancient stories, or join a guided moonlight tour to see the seasonal return of the muttonbirds.

Back at the Jetty Strip, find a buzzing mix of cafes, bars and restaurants with cuisines from around the world, open from morning until late. Don’t miss The Jetty Pavilion , a favourite for its unique menu blending modern Australian cuisine with vibrant world flavours.

walk to muttonbird island from coffs harbour — Walk the path where land meets sea and sky.

6. Grafton

Head inland from mid-October to early November to catch Grafton’s jacaranda season, when the town’s streets and parks are covered in purple. Even better, time your trip between 24 October and 2 November to attend the famous Jacaranda Festival, with special food items, performances and more. At any time of year, follow the self-guided Grafton Heritage Trail to discover the town’s historic buildings, landmarks and stories. Or get the blood pumping with a trip along the longest mapped white-water trail in Australia – the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail. Book a tour with Exodus Adventures .

woman walking through jacaranda trees in grafton — Time your Grafton trip to see the jacarandas in full bloom. (Image: @myclarencevalley)

7. Nambucca

Just south of Coffs Harbour sits Nambucca, the ideal town for a relaxed, coastal day trip. Hire a canoe, kayak or boat to explore over 80 kilometres of waterways stretching from the hinterland to the ocean. For those who prefer to stay on dry land (or double up their adventure for the day), stretch your legs along the V-Wall – a scenic coastal walk along the Nambucca River – dotted with boulders painted by the community, sharing messages, art and local stories. Stop along the way to buy Sydney rock oysters direct from local farmers, or try your own hand at fishing. Before heading back to Coffs, refuel on fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at Matilda’s in Nambucca .

a boat zooming through Nambucca Heads — Explore Nambucca’s waterways. (Image: Seen Australia)

Visit coffscoast.com and download the Coffs Coast Explorer App for more daytrips and trails.

10 of the best bars in Cronulla for 2024