Most of us who visit bars frequently don’t know why it is called a bar…do you?
No, it doesn’t stand for Beer and Alcohol Room – in early colonial days, often saloon keeper or proprietor was the only person who worked in the establishment and if they had to leave the building to tend to horses or bring in stock, they would lower a set of iron bars that would protect the alcohol from patrons in their absence.
Voila, the bar was born! Here are six of our favourite watering holes for after-work drinks and catchups with mates:
Ideal Neighbourhood Wine Bar
Find an intimate, warm-lit space to chill out with a wine, fine fare or dine privately at Wakefield’s Bar & Wine in Ainslie. Wakefield’s is the ideal neighbourhood wine bar, nestled around the corner and upstairs from Edgar’s Inn – one of Canberra’s best-kept secrets. This stylish wine bar exudes rustic charm with exposed brick, dark timber and moody lighting, ideal for after-work drinks, or a romantic interlude with someone special.
Order a Wakefield’s original cocktail such as More Chilli – chilli-infused pisco, Plantation dark rum, lime, pineapple juice and orgeat – to go with beef cheek croquettes and pepper mayo, or a pork and fennel sausage roll with sweet tomato relish.
Casual Drinks & Snack Options
Be one of the first to experience the newly-opened neighbourhood osteria, Bar Rocco on Leicester Street in Coorparoo. This Brisbane dining destination, the sibling of next-door restaurant Ramona Trattoria, offers casual drink and snack options that locals can wander in for, grab a wine and chill out with friends.
A leafy entrance leads to alfresco catchups on balmy days while indoors is compact with a marble counter, potted greenery and cosy table settings; join friends for a cocktail from a list that puts spins on classics alongside new creations and settle in for a night of fun.
Fresh, Local & Evolving
Keeping it fresh, local and evolving is the motto behind well-loved Subiaco watering hole Refuge Small Bar on Subiaco Square Road. Since 2016, this Perth dining destination has been serving locals independently owned beer, wine and spirits, with a focus on fresh, quality and handmade fare from the kitchen.
A well-stocked bar promises cheeky cocktails like Rhubarb Redemption with tequila, rhubarb, lime and grapefruit to go with a prawn cocktail roll with pickled fennel, spicy chilli, pecorino, remoulade and dill, or braised beef short rib, ham hock collard greens and cheesy grits.
Fun & Funky Surroundings
Discover a lively Japanese izakaya serving tapas-style dishes infused with native ingredients at Miss Lucy on Clarence Street in Port Macquarie. Open late, expect a cosy ambience and innovative menu featuring a fusion of traditional and modern Japanese flavours in fun and funky surrounds of neon lighting, white-washed brick and comfy lounging couches.
Get the evening started with a Coffee Ritual cocktail – this is not your average Espresso Martini, this version flaunts native botanicals of wattleseed, espresso honey, fresh cold brew, vodka, rum and notes of vanilla – paired with small bites like Korean fried chicken and gochujang pepper sauce.
Dinner, Movie & Cocktails
Convenience is having your dinner inside the movie theatre at ArtDeco Bar and Kitchen on Craigieburn Road and then taking a couple of steps to your seat with popcorn in hand, ready to chill out. This Craigieburn venue, nestled inside United Cinemas, has a long marble table spanning the length of the restaurant, making it an ideal spot to join friends for a vino and Italian fare.
Experience anticipation as Happy Hour approaches and you sip creative cocktails and devour pizza slices such as Salsicce with pork and fennel sausage, smoked mozzarella and potato, or pasta plates of seafood tortelloni with saffron and cream sauce.
Hidden Door Entrance
Recreating amazing bar experiences from cities around the world, Lay Low Bar on Buckley Street brings a neighbourhood vibe and drinks to Seddon. Enter through the hidden door and ask the team to take you through the menu at this chic cocktail lounge where polished concrete flooring, warm lighting and large windows set the scene for cheeky drinks at the long bar.
Bring the gang for cocktail hour from Thursday to Sunday and check out the amazing house cocktails for just $15 such as a Scotch whisky sour with lemon, orgeat and angostura bitters, or the Charlie Chaplin with Brookie’s slow gin, apricot liqueur and lime.
