These are the best Central Coast bars and pubs for a fun night out or a relaxed Sunday session with family and friends, according to local expert Megan Arkinstall.

This former sleepy holiday region has grown into a hub of hospitality, providing cultured options for the adults among us. While a slew of restaurant openings has certainly fed the hungry, the thirsty have been rewarded with a number of heavy-hitting bars and breweries. Here, we list our favourite bars, pubs, and breweries on the Central Coast.  

1. Maew Maew, Terrigal

Best for: Cocktail lovers

Climb the stairs at this beachside venue to find kitsch Asian eatery and bar Maew Maew (which means ‘cat’ in Thai). Serving Asian eats with funky beats, this is the place to come during the afternoon for beach views (try and nab one of the high tables that line the front window) or sundown for ‘late night noods’.

The blushing pink and aqua-hued space is styled with a clash of neon and delicate floral-shaped lights. Come night-time, the bar is packed out with party-goers making their way through the Asian-inspired cocktail list, which are some of the yummiest in town. You can’t go wrong with the delicious Charred Pineapple and Chilli Margarita or the fun-loving Pattaya Punch, which comes with fairy floss and a mini disco ball.

Address: 90 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

2. Hotel Gosford, Gosford

Best for: Whiskey/Whisky drinkers

This heritage-listed waterhole was completely reimagined in 2022 from tired old pub to stylish Art Deco establishment, paying homage to its 1926 roots. Rich dark timbers, ambient lighting, brass accents and leather seating create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Come by for a meal at Earl’s Kitchen, a relaxed dining space with a pub-style menu created around local produce. Or drop in for a tipple from the extensive beverage list – it has 32 tap beers, a whisky vault with optional whisky flights, and creative cocktails (including seven types of margaritas). If you feel like a dance, come on the weekend when this historic hotel is buzzing with people having a good time – ‘Gossy Good Times’ held on Saturdays is all about themed parties with resident DJs.

Address: 179 Mann Street, Gosford  

3. The Entrance Social Club, The Entrance

Best for: Sports fanatics

Positioned right near The Entrance waterfront, this pub-turned-hip hotspot is happening year-round. Mrs May Bistro & Bar is the main eatery, designed with stylish curves, gold accents and soft neutral colours. Its pavilion with a fireplace is a coveted spot come winter to relax with a glass of wine. While in summer, the outdoor beer garden is pumping: its retractable roof lets in the sunshine and good vibes year-round, with live music over the weekends. There is an extensive cocktail list including five different cocktail jugs to share with friends.

Sports fanatics will want to book a table at Taffy’s sports bar, which has booths with personal TVs to watch all the big games from NRL to NBL.

Address: 87 The Entrance Road, The Entrance  

4. Lost Souls, Terrigal

Best for: Metal, rock and punk fans

There’s nothing quite like late-night bolthole Lost Souls on the esplanade of Terrigal. Black walls are plastered with band posters, skateboards and dark street art. Pick your poison with cocktails such as Bloody Sabbath, Deadly Nightshade and Fear of the Dark and settle in for a night of late-night metal, emo, punk rock – or whatever the theme for the evening is. There are open mic nights, guitar battles and rock and metal trivia. Kids from the 1980s and ’90s will feel right at home during the Nintendo and Street Fighter comps and there’s also pinball tournaments.

Address: 55 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

5. Motel Mezza, Wyong

Best for: Cocktail lovers

Housed in a former 1930s bank on a corner block in Wyong, the elegant Motel Mezza bar and restaurant is resplendent in Art Deco styling and serves a Middle Eastern menu that’s designed to share with friends. But more impressive is its extensive beverage menu – with Mezza Twist cocktails such as the Pineapple and Saffron Martini and Apple and Cinnamon Whiskey Sour. There is happy hour from Tuesday to Thursday and trivia on the first Thursday of every month.

Address: 98 Pacific Hwy, Wyong

6.  Jerry Sent Me, Wyong

Best for: Cocktail lovers

When we think speakeasy, this is what we imagine. Tucked away in a historic building, complete with timber rafters, barn doors, concrete floors and a pressed-metal ceiling, this dimly lit, vintage-style ba  feels like prohibition has started all over again. Settle into a leather chair, cosy up in front of the log fire come winter and order a whiskey to enjoy with a grazing board. A second tiny venue under the name La Bodeguita has opened next door with a completely different vibe filled with Cuban flavours and music.

Address: 14/16 Alison Road, Wyong

7. Bay Road Brewing, Gosford

Best for: Beer aficionados

Like most breweries, Bay Road Brewing was built by mates who love beer and good times. The light and bright space in Gosford produces a long list of brews including the Gossy Good Times hazy pale and Motor Boat pale ale, all packaged in cans with bright and funky designs. The taphouse is kid-friendly and dog-friendly so you can bring the whole gang to sample the goods and enjoy a rotating menu of street food such as burgers, fried chicken and baos. Keep an eye out for the regular comedy club nights for a laugh with your Bay Road lager.

Address: 89 Donnison St, Gosford

8. The Savoy Bar & Music, Long Jetty

Best for: Evening tipples

An abandoned 1950s theatre was given a new lease on life in 2018 when it was turned into a multi-purpose bar and restaurant. The contemporary bar serves up craft beers, cocktails on tap and a wine list focusing on natural drops.

While the food menu features casual bites such as fried chicken bao and pork belly bites, as well as antipasto platters to share. There is trivia every Wednesday, an open mic night every Thursday and local musicians and DJs.

Address: 2/391 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty

9. The Boathouse, Patonga

Best for: Afternoon bevvies

Hidden away in the seaside village of Patonga, The Boathouse calls for long, lazy lunches in the sunshine. True to The Boathouse Group’s style, the venue is designed in a chic nautical theme and makes you feel like you’re on holidays.

Order a Boathouse Bloody Mary, a Patonga Margarita or a Loveboat (a refreshing blend of vodka, passionfruit liqueur, mint, lime and soda) and nab a seat in the alfresco courtyard under the shady Norfolk pines strung with festoon lighting. Live music adds to the chilled ambience on weekends.

Address: 6 – 8 Patonga Drive, Patonga

10. The Box On The Water, Ettalong

Best for: Afternoon bevvies

The Ettalong Beach foreshore offers many things: sprawling views across Broken Bay and a pearler seat for sundowners – provided you’re in the right spot, and The Box On The Water definitely falls into that category. Floor-to-ceiling windows grant panoramic water views to Box Head and over to Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The Beach Kiosk offers casual dining, drinks and snacks, while the adjoining restaurant serves upscale Australian fare. Happy hour, from Friday to Sunday, is a casual affair. Grab one of the five spritzes or signature G&T and nab a spot along the rock wall outside to soak up a picture-perfect sunset.

Address: Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve

11. Mumbo Jumbo’s, Terrigal

Best for: Party people

Caribbean-themed Mumbo Jumbo’s is all about island vibes with views over the beach. Colourful quirky interiors and an aromatic Jamaican-flavoured food and drinks menu transport guests to the Caribbean.

Wherever possible, recycled materials have been used in the fit-out: tables are made from old timber fencing and the bar is made from upcycled wood, adding to the chilled-out beachside vibe. The weekly calendar is pumping with Tacos and Trivia on Tuesdays, live music on Wednesdays and DJs over the weekend. And the outside deck gets packed when the weather is good.

Address: 92 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

12. Pocket Bar, Terrigal

Best for: Cocktail lovers

Situated near Terrigal Beach, Pocket Bar serves as the Central Coast’s sister venue to Sydney’s Stitch Bar. Inside, they combine modern mixology techniques with classic cocktail recipes – alongside fun snacks, of course. The dimly lit space is lined with big couches and tables, exposed brick walls, a colourful painted mural and plants hanging overhead.

Like its city counterparts, the cocktails are the big-ticket items at Pocket Bar. Try the Penicillin made with Dewar’s 12-year scotch whisky or dial it back with a wine or beer from the ever-expanding list paired with a tapas plate and watch the locals pass by.

Address: 1/74 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal

13. Margarita Daze, Umina

Best for: Cocktail lovers

Get here early for a table on the deck where the beach is so close, there’s salt in the breeze. Margarita Daze is a light and airy beachside bar and eatery, with a menu that features seafood such as oysters, king prawns, twice-cooked octopus and Atlantic salmon, as well as pizzas, burgers and salads.

The Daze Margarita is one of the signature cocktails, with Jose Cuervo, triple sec, fresh lime and sugar, shaken and dumped on the rocks. Come Friday afternoons for happy hour or Sundays for local DJs and sunsets on the deck.

Address: 345 Trafalgar Ave, Umina

14. Frankie’s Rooftop, Woy Woy

Best for: Cocktail lovers

It’s clear that Coasties are partial to a good rooftop tipple, and few bars or pubs shine as bright as Frankie’s. Head upstairs at The Bayview Hotel – a long-standing pub that underwent an unrecognisable transformation a few years back – for views of sparkling Brisbane Water.

There is a huge selection of whiskey to choose from, dangerously placed alongside a swathe of gins and rums and creative cocktails. It’s only open on weekends.

Address: 2 The Boulevard, Woy Woy

15. Bar Toto, Ettalong

Best for: Cocktail lovers

Bar Toto makes a case for elegance on the Central Coast. Since its establishment in 2013, it has brought back the old-world charm of wining and dining with an ode to the best of chic Europe, with a menu of antipasti and cicchetti.

Australia’s top 100 cocktail craftsman Peter Clarke has created a list that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean – the Italian classics such as Negronis, aperols and garabaldis do it best. The coffee cocktails also shine and provide a kick for those who need it. Take a seat on a leather sofa and watch the magic unfold before you.

Address: 83/189 Ocean View Road, Ettalong

16. Six String Brewing Co. Erina

Best for: Beer aficionados

Six String Brewing began as a hobby developed from a genuine love of good beer. And like any good side hustle, it evolved into the first homegrown craft brewery and tasting room on the Central Coast.

Nowadays, the taproom is a popular watering hole that showcases the award-winning brews produced on-site. Lovers and novices can come in and learn about the process – touching, smelling and tasting the ingredients along the way. There are 16 taps in rotation at any given time at the bar; are all preservative-free, unpasteurised and unfiltered.

Come for a beer and a bite (burgers, tacos, fried chicken wings and the like) – there’s always something happening, such as trivia, live music or comedy nights.

Address: 90 The Entrance Road, Erina

17. The Pavilion, Terrigal

Best for: Afternoon bevvies

Perched on the shores of Terrigal’s Haven Beach, The Pav has some of the best views on the Central Coast. This white, bright and airy bar has a large deck with umbrellas and festoon lighting to enjoy sea breezes and sunshine, and an indoor area with plenty of seating no matter the weather. The cocktail list is on point: the signature Tropic Margarita is a refreshing twist on the classic, there’s an Iced Espresso Martini with the perfect amount of kick, and a selection of frozen cocktails that are made for hot summer days. Afternoons are more chill while evenings are for the party-people, with DJs and a spinning shiny disco ball.

Address: The Haven, Terrigal

18. Astra, Gosford

Best for: Evening tipples

This brand-new shiny rooftop bar has lived up to the expectations. Within the new voco Gosford hotel, Astra is perched on the 28th floor with spectacular views across Brisbane Water. The restaurant and bar is a glamorous addition to Gosford, with pink and blue velvety furniture, marble tabletops and a striking green marble bar. The menu features Japanese-inspired fare created in a binchotan-charcoal Hibachi grill. The wraparound windows can be opened to let in the breeze and on clear evenings the sunset show is second-to-none.

Address: 108 Donnison Street, Gosford

19. Bar Botanica, Erina

Best for: Afternoon bevs

On the same property as award-winning Distillery Botanica, this garden bar is a delightful place to while away weekend afternoons. The bar itself is within a mud-brick hut, with tables under an outdoor terrace and within the lush gardens that surround – or bring a picnic rug and laze on the grass. As expected, the drinks menu features gin cocktails, created with Moore’s Gin, as well as classics such as Aperol Spritz and Espresso Martini, made using Botanica Vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and locally roasted Legend Coffee. Local beers from Six Strings and Bay Road breweries are also on offer. Long lunching is kept simple with charcuterie boards, toasties, and local Shhmoakesy’s Pies. There are occasional events held too, such as Gin and Jazz Sundays and a Bottomless Brunch – check Instagram for details.

Address: 25 Portsmouth Road, Erina

20. Hawkesbury Brewing Co, Lisarow

Best for: Beer aficionados

Coasties love a beer and this sprawling brewery at Lisarow is a great spot to come for a schooner or two. The range is extensive, from premium lagers and refreshing pale ales to robust stouts, as well as wines and vodka spritzers. The food menu is classic pub grub – think burgers, pizza and fries. There are pool tables, kids’ activities, movie nights on Mondays with free popcorn, and trivia on Wednesdays. It’s a great place for the whole family and even your pet, who is welcome to relax with you outside.

Address: 900 Pacific Hwy, Lisarow

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