10 Of The Best Cronulla Bars To Visit Now

The ultimate guide to the best bars in Cronulla in Sydney’s south.

The best bars in Cronulla lean into the neighbourhood’s laid-back beachie vibe. But there are also supper clubs and swanky lounges where you can frock up to have a tipple or two.

Whether you’re in the mood for a drink at a dive bar, a bottomless brunch or locally brewed craft beer, you’ll find eight of the best Cronulla bars hiding in plain sight.

1. Hurricane’s Grill & Bar

Meat and fish don’t have much of a commute to get to Hurricane’s Grill & Bar in Cronulla. Where possible, there’s also a roster of locally sourced spirits such as Ruby Wednesday Gin and Sunday Road Brewing craft beer. Sitting up at the bar is a different experience to dining in this expansive Luchetti Krell-designed space, which is both grand and glamorous.

Hurricane's bar Cronulla — Hurricane’s offers a vibrant list of classic cocktails with a twist.

As well as being one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, Hurricane’s is the place to head to for a fun night out. The restaurant is also proud of its extensive wine list.

Best for: Yellowfin tuna sashimi and a flight of artisanal G+Ts.
Address: 1/49 Gerrale St, Cronulla

2. 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. And one of the best bars in Cronulla for live music.

Band on stage at the Brass Monkey Cronulla. — Brass Monkey is one of the best places to enjoy live music in the Shire. (Image: Carla Grossetti)

As well as listening to local acts such as Jackson Carroll and Caravana San, the Brass Monkey attracts big-name 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.

a live band performing at Brass Monkey — Enjoy everything from comedy nights to acoustic jams at the Brass Monkey Cronulla.

Best for: Live music and really exceptional Lebanese fare.
Address: 115A Cronulla St, Cronulla

3. Sista Gin

There’s a glimmer of energy that shows no sign of abating in Cronulla’s drinking and dining scene. 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. Sista Gin is drawing crowds from all over the beachside suburb.

Hidden upstairs in Cronulla St, the dinky gin bar has an innovative list of cocktails. It also has a range of tapas and large plates to share including generous platters of charcuterie and cheese. The vibe is different from anything else in Cronulla at Sista Gin which pivots between being a restaurant and a cocktail bar.

Best for: Buffalo wings and a trio of dips.
Address: 7/1 Cronulla St, Cronulla

4. Cony’s

The menu and cocktails being created at Cony’s nod to the owner’s South American roots. Cony’s has you covered. Take a selfie in front of the wall art and boomerang your toast with spirit-forward drinks such as the Spicy Senorita (chilli-infused tequila) and Pisco Disco (pisco, whiskey and Cointreau).

Cocktails at Cony's Cronulla — Cony’s looks to Latin America for inspiration.

We love the Latina-leaning dishes such as Cony’s guacamole, 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.

Tortillas with ceviche at Cony's in Cronulla — Take your tastebuds to South America at Cony’s in Cronulla.

Best for: Spotting C-list celebs from reality TV while slurping cocktails.
Address: 15 Surf Road, Cronulla

5. 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 bar, it might be one of their many stunt doubles who have trudged in from the beach looking like tousle-haired rock gods.

The Blind Bear is the dive bar of your dreams to enjoy an Old Fashioned while in Cronulla.

Order a G&T using small-batch Ruby Wednesday Gin distilled just down the road in Taren Point or from Hairyman Brewery , one of the local boutique breweries . This drinking hole is much loved in Cronulla and one of the best dive bars in Sydney.

The Blind Bear is one of the best bars in Cronulla. (Image: Carla Grossetti)

Best for:An Old-Fashioned cocktail and burger with the lot.
Address: 28 Cronulla St, Cronulla

6. 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 Bali beach club vibes written all over it. It’s a relaxed refuge that would also look right at home in the Hamptons.

You can sample signature dishes from the main menu at The Pines in the adjacent terrace bar.

It’s also considered one of the best bars in Cronulla due to its location overlooking The Alley, which makes it perfect for people-watching. The Pines Terrace is the more casual sibling to The Pines, which is one of the best restaurants in Cronulla. The Shire favourite is also open for breakfast.

cocktails ontop of a light white counter — Wine and dine at The Pines Terrace, the more casual offshoot of The Pines.

Best for: Wining and dining on the weekend.
Address: Unit 1/8-18 Kingsway, Cronulla

7. Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar

Surfing and boating have helped create Southern Cali vibes in Cronulla. But the waterside suburb in Sydney’s south has also become a destination for dining. This dinky little wine bar looks to have cleaned out a bordello to furnish it with its red velvet chairs and charmingly mismatched décor.

Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar is a top spot for a Sunday session.

Basically, you’ll find half of the suburb kicking back here with a drink on a typical weekend. The dimly lit Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar is tucked away down the lane it is named after.

Address: g8/30 Kingsway, Cronulla
Best for:

8. Low & Lofty’s

Low & Lofty’s looks like a place for good times. There’s a pinball machine, 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.

Dark and atmospheric bar in Cronulla — Low & Lofty’s is a lovely place to linger for a Caribbean-inspired cocktail.

Low & Lofty’s is tucked away upstairs away from the well-trodden corridor through Cronulla Plaza. And it’s a bit of a quest to massacre a tray of BBQ sticky brisket imbued with intoxicatingly smokey flavours. Bring on the joy of the Jamaican goat curry with a Jalisco summer cocktail in a jar.

A Caribbean cocktail — Keep it low-key over cocktails at Low & Lofty’s, Cronulla.

Best for: Hit the pinball machines before tucking into smoky ribs and craft beers.
Address: 51A Cronulla St, Cronulla

9. 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.

An image of a cocktail at a table at Old Joe's in Cronulla — Old Joes is a cool bar for a cocktail with a sea breeze in Cronulla.

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 actually make some new Sydney friends. This Laundy Hotel is one of the best places in Cronulla for a bevvy.

An image of a burger about to be eaten alongside cocktails and beer — Enjoy a big old bacon burger at Old Joe’s Cronulla.

Best for: Cocktails with the girls or a pub meal with the family.
Address: 141-143 Elouera Rd

10. Papa Js

Papa Js doffs its hat to local hospitality heavyweights Carl and Brooke Jensen, of Jensen’s Restaurant in Kareela. The sophisticated 1950s-style cocktail bar and lounge is best known for its dedicated martini and margarita menu.

The beautiful marble bar at Papa Js Cronulla — Sit and sip in style at Papa Js.

The Eurostyle bar is also perfect for cosying up in after a couple of G&Ts. Enjoy cheese and charcuterie or fried calamari and karaage chicken 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

A cocktail sitting on a countertop at Papa Js, Cronulla — Spend the afternoon sipping mar-tea-nis in Cronulla.

Feeling hungry? Check out a local’s guide to 15 of the best restaurants in Cronulla.

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

10 of the best bars in Cronulla for 2024