The Best Waterfront Bars in Australia

Overlooking the Brisbane River, Blackbird Bar combines 1920s-inspired opulence with stunning 180-degree views. Known for its inventive cocktails, rare spirits, and premium wine list, it’s the perfect spot for a cold drink with a view. A seasonal bar menu complements the experience, ideal for after-work drinks or a lively Saturday night.

For coastal-inspired cocktails, sensational local fare, and the best summertime feels, head to Burleigh Pavillion for local wines or beer from their extensive taps. Try a tropical cocktail like “Under the Palms” with coconut rum and fresh lime or an icy refreshing frosé. The light, airy space features pastel pops, high ceilings, and an unbeatable view of Burleigh Heads.

A breezy ferry ride from the city, with 360-degree views of the city skyline, the Watsons Bay Hotel Beach Club is an iconic Eastern Suburbs venue where the well-heeled and barefoot come together over Aperol spritzes. The harbour sparkles in the sun, yachts float lazily in the distance, and the vibe is quintessentially Sydney – indulgent, stylish, and a little bit brash.

With the Sydney Opera House towering behind and the harbour glittering ahead, Opera Bar buzzes with energy, serving up cocktails as stylish as the skyline, frosty beers perfect for warm afternoons, and wines that are perfect to toast to the view. Add in live music and the sounds of the harbour, and the vibe is electric.

Who says the nation’s capital doesn’t know how to unwind? The Dock, set on the Kingston Foreshore, is Canberra’s answer to laid-back waterfront chic. With local craft beers, an impressive cocktail lineup, and a menu brimming with hearty pub classics, this is where the city comes to play when the sun is out, and the vibe is high.

Melbourne’s soul thrives in its laneways, but Republica St Kilda Beach offers a reprieve from the city's grit. Here, the sand is close enough to touch, the beer is cold, and the menu, as eclectic as Melbourne itself, invites you to linger. Live music pulses as the sun dips behind the palm trees – it is beachside escapism done right.

Located right on the Hobart waterfront, Hobart Brewing Co. is heaven for lovers of craft beer. Known for its rotating selection of small-batch brews, from crisp lagers to bold IPAs, this brewery pairs perfectly with the relaxed waterside vibe. With a beer in hand and the nearby harbour in view, it’s a quintessential Tasmanian experience.

A stone’s throw from the Glenelg foreshore, the Marina Sunset Bar is a local gem with postcard-worthy views. Sip a chilled spritz while the golden hour casts a glow over the marina’s sleek yachts. The menu features crowd-pleasers like wood-fired pizzas and seafood delights, making it an ideal spot to laze away a long summer afternoon.

Just across from the iconic sands of Cottesloe Beach, the Cottesloe Beach Hotel is home to two exceptional beachside bars. The sunsets are religious experiences, the rosé flows like water, and the dishes are locally sourced. With its laid-back atmosphere and ocean views, it’s the ultimate spot for lingering afternoons by the water.