It’s the best time of the year: summer. Or as we like to call it, “after work drinks season.” If you’re bored with the local pub around the corner from the office with the sticky carpet and fake pot plants, we’ve rounded up the best bars across the country for a cheeky bottle of prosecco (or three). Cheers to that!
THE GREENWOOD HOTEL, NORTH SYDNEY
The good old Greenwood has been a North Sydney institution for decades, but thanks to the pub’s recent renovation, punters will be crossing the bridge to wine and dine there. After a hard eight hours at your desk, treat yourself to a round of Aloe Vera Margaritas, served in a salt-rimmed glass with tequila, lime and a dash of honey. The Greenwood’s signature cocktail is best paired with the 5-Spiced Pork Belly Steamed Buns with coriander, peanuts, pickled lettuce and hoi sin sauce. Perfect for those after work drinks that turn into dinner that turn into dancing.
HELLENIKA, FORTITUDE VALLEY, BRISBANE
Hellenika has long been the best Greek restaurant on the Gold Coast, and now it has opened up shop in the Valley in Brisbane. If you’re into rooftop bars atop fancy boutique hotels with Instagram-worthy décor, you should book a table for after work drinks, like, tonight. Don’t go past the classic Aperol Spritz or the Saganaki grilled cheese.
HARPER, PRAHAN, MELBOURNE
Melbourne is Australia’s capital of after work drinks venues, and the latest addition to the city’s offering is Harper bar in Prahran. It’s hard to find a bad bar in Melbourne, but what really sets Harper apart from all the other hipster pubs is its Happy Hour. They have Happy Hour all day, every day. I’m talking $6 spirits, $6 wines and $6 pints from 5:00pm to whenever you crawl home.
PINK MOON SALOON, ADELAIDE
Apart from having the most adorable name ever, Adelaide’s Pink Moon Saloon is the chicest/trendiest/best-themed place to have gin and juice after a long week in the office. Built like an alpine mountain hut in a narrow alleyway, the PMS is the perfect spot for a casual Tuesday night or an ironic mountaineer themed event in summer. Just add dry aged mutton.