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

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

A local’s guide to the best bars in Cronulla