9 of the best Darwin pubs for relaxed drinks

That Top End heat practically demands a cold, refreshing beverage perched at a quirky pub counter.

Darwin pubs are one of a kind. Taking advantage of the endless tropical temperatures and those delicious ocean breezes, you’ll find loads of open-air spaces to enjoy a classic tap beer or lemon, lime and bitters to sip after a day of exploring the city. From the quirky to the refined, the best Darwin pubs have two things in common: ice-cold beverages and friendly, Top End vibes.

1. Hotel Darwin

barbecued pork ribs with a glass of wine at Hotel Darwin — Feast on moreish barbecued pork ribs. (Image: Hotel Darwin)

Hotel Darwin is your classic city pub and has been a local staple since the 1940s. Visit for the pub meal specials, which run every night of the working week, like $19 snapper and $22 BBQ pork ribs, or take the arvo off under one of the many shady umbrellas in its expansive beer garden. The central city location is great for a wind-down after a day of sightseeing.

Address: 39 Mitchell St, Darwin

2. The Tap

Love a pub with live music? You’ll adore The Tap , where local artists take the stage every night at 7pm. Settle in for an acoustic session with one of the many beers on tap and a classic pub feed, like chicken parmigiana or a T-bone steak. Entirely outdoors (with cover for those rainy wet season nights, of course), it’s a real Darwin pub experience.

Address: 58 Mitchell St, Darwin

3. Six Tanks Brew

the pub counter at Six Tanks Brew, Darwin — The iconic pub serves hand-crafted beers from tanks to taps. (Image: Six Tanks Brew)

Just across the road, you’ll find Six Tanks Brew , a microbrewery that will satisfy craft beer aficionados. Expecting greasy pub grub? You’ll be surprised by the refined menu, which has everything from loaded burgers to spaghetti marinara and haloumi salad.

Address: 4/69 Mitchell St, Darwin

4. Darwin Railway Club

The low-key, friendly Darwin Railway Club can be found in the eclectic neighbourhood of Parap and hosts a range of local and international musicians. The tropical beer garden is where you’ll want to park yourself after a long day, or if you’re up for something a bit different, head down on a Wednesday night at 7pm for swing dancing lessons. Love pool, hate paying for it? Darwin Railway Club’s tables are free every day of the week.

Address: 17 Somerville Gardens, Parap

5. The Precinct

friends dining in a pub at The Precinct Tavern, Darwin — Dine pub favourites such as homemade pizza and pasta in the spacious Precinct Tavern at the Darwin Waterfront. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

If you visit the Darwin Waterfront, you’ll spot The Precinct , a great open-air pub overlooking the kid-friendly wave pool. The menu is full of pub staples, and there are plenty of specials throughout the week. A family-friendly pub, it makes for a great lunch spot after the little ones have tired themselves out in the public swimming lagoon.

Address: 7 Kitchener Drive, Darwin

6. Darwin Ski Club

beachfront sunset views at Darwin Ski Club — The beachfront bar is a go-to spot for sundowners. (Image: Tourism Australia/Allan Dixon)

Every local will tell you that visiting the Darwin Ski Club (not the snow kind of skiing, the water kind) is a must when visiting the Top End city. While it’s technically a club it makes our list for the best Darwin pubs thanks to a laidback bar and plenty of relaxed outdoor seating, plus a bistro doing some of the best seafood in Darwin. Bring the kids and let them run free on the grass or along the beachfront, and don’t miss a Darwin sunset here – aside from Mindil Beach, it’s probably the best seat in town.

Address: 20 Conacher St, Fannie Bay

7. Shenannigans

Darwin’s party pub has to be Shenannigans (“Shags" to the locals), a warm Irish venue with great food and even better craic. There are nightly specials like classic Irish curries, Sunday roasts and steak nights, but the weekend is when Shenannigans sparkles, with live music and a dance floor you’ll struggle to leave. Naturally, there’s Guinness on tap.

Address: 1/69 Mitchell St, Darwin

8. Darwin Trailer Boat Club

an event setup at sunset, Darwin Trailer Boat Club — A romantic dinner setup at Darwin Trailer Boat Club. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

Just down the road, you’ll find the Darwin Trailer Boat Club , another club we’re including thanks to its friendly pub atmosphere. The open-air layout is a classic tropical design you’ll find at a lot of Top End drinking holes and allows for uninterrupted views of the eye-wateringly beautiful aquamarine blue waters of Darwin. This is our pick for a lazy lunch, hands down.

Address: 8 Atkins Drive, Fannie Bay

9. Sweethearts

Named after Darwin’s most famous crocodile, Sweetheart, who was caught in the 1970s and can be seen at the Darwin Museum, Sweethearts is one of the best Darwin pubs for seeing live music, with artists taking the stage seven days a week. Dinner is more gastropub style with refined dining options like crispy-skinned barramundi and Vietnamese pawpaw salad, but you’ll still find the classics on the menu.

Address: 74 Mitchell St, Darwin

More of a cocktail fan? Check out our guide to the best bars in Darwin, and don’t miss out on the city’s incredible restaurants, either.

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.