Monsoons

LOCATION
On Mitchell Street, right in the heart of the city.

PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIA
Monsoons Bar and Café evokes thunderous wet-season downpours, steamy warmth and technicoloured lightning displays soothed by the dawn’s calm. And with stylish crowds, disco lights and a cocktail christened Tropical Danger in your hot hand, this seems apt enough.

But Monsoons can also offer quiet intimacy during the day. Wandering Darwin’s backpacker Mecca, the venue is a pleasing escape from the flaring sun. Perched here on a low banquette, the background hum is of varied accents as young and old from around the globe stop to examine their maps. Monsoons’ tapas dishes make perfect finger-food – the cooling bean salad is a delicious foil to tangy baked haloumi, washed down with a Natural Blonde Beer.

Book a table outdoors to enjoy the buzzing street-side atmosphere while you dine. The menu features an array of classic dishes given a contemporary twist and catering to every palate. A delicious local threadfin fish is served beer-battered with tartar sauce and a golden mound of crispy chips. The Monsoon special pizza features tiger prawns in tandem with spicy chorizo, feta and leafy rocket, and an accompanying glass of Ninth Island Sparkling brings a welcome taste of Tasmanian freshness into the heat.

The venue comes into its thunder and lights after sundown. With live entertainment seven nights a week, it’s party-party till the wee hours. The young, trendy, and gorgeous flock together in an atmosphere that pumps with fun energy.

Monsoons resides in Darwin’s original cinema venue, and uses the large remodelled spaces to terrific advantage. With room for 400 guests, the longest bar in the city, and a brilliant catering team, Monsoons hosts the lot: Christmas cocktails, summer soirées, happy hours, private parties, a scintillating Sunday Sesh, and the ever-popular Thursdays’ Ladies’ Night. So roll up, girls, for a complimentary glass of champers on a Thursday evening. The shirtless male bar attendants, it must be said, are superbly suited to the Darwin climate!

Merridy Anne Pugh