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

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

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

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

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

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.