When a cocktail becomes more than a drink - when it flirts with art, plays with flavour and echoes the soul of the cuisine - you know you’ve found somewhere special.
Across the country, a growing number of restaurants are stepping up their cocktail game, crafting drinks that aren’t just accompaniments to a meal but essential elements of the experience. From cherry-soaked tequilas to butter beer reinterpretations, here are five venues where cocktail culture is taken to delicious extremes.
Just a short meander from Terrigal Beach, Meribella offers a Mediterranean escape without leaving the Central Coast. Nestled on Pine Tree Lane, the venue is all broad arches, floor-to-ceiling windows and an understated luxury that lets the ocean views do most of the talking. There’s a sense of poised elegance here, where Modern Australian fare dances with Mediterranean flair and diners settle in for long lunches and drawn-out dinners overlooking crashing waves.
Beyond the menu's highlights - like Wagyu tartare with pickles or roasted barramundi with fennel - the true gem lies behind the bar. Meribella’s original cocktails are imaginative and exquisitely layered. The Cherry Amour is a revelation: tequila, maraschino liqueur, Chambord and cranberry meet pineapple and agave for a drink that’s equal parts sultry and bright. It's a cocktail made for golden-hour gazing.
Book now and sip something extraordinary.
Mahsuri Thai – Kingscliff, NSW
Tucked into the vibrant hub of Salt Village, Mahsuri Thai is where moody lighting, timber tones and a splash of tropical foliage come together to create a Thai-inspired haven by the sea. It's the kind of place where meals become rituals and every dish tells a story steeped in tradition and spice. With its open-air deck and relaxed cocktail bar, Mahsuri is equally inviting to those seeking an unhurried drink or a celebratory dinner.
The Bangkok Margarita is not for the faint-hearted - smoky, spicy and subtly sweet, it’s a bold riff on the classic, combining pineapple juice, tequila, lime and a touch of Thai chilli. It pairs perfectly with the slow-cooked massaman beef curry, laced with cinnamon and lemongrass. Add banana fritter spring rolls and you’ve got a full sensory experience.
Reserve your table and spice up your next evening out.
Hoosegow Charcoal Restaurant – St Morris, SA
Crackling with energy and colour, Hoosegow Charcoal Restaurant in St Morris is a sensory feast before you’ve even taken a bite. The vibrant walls, eclectic décor and smoky aromas of Mallee root charcoal set the tone for a dining experience that blends Latin American passion with Asian finesse. There’s nothing subtle about Hoosegow and that’s entirely the point.
Matching that boldness is the cocktail list, with creations like the Eduardo: a smoky, sultry blend of black cherry, rum and caramel, made theatrical with cinnamon smoke and rose ice. It’s moody and intense - just like the perfectly charred Wagyu brisket or the lavish seafood platter ready for sharing.
Make your next night out unforgettable - secure your seat at Hoosegow today.
Korean meets Mexican at Vecino, the Canterbury hotspot that fuses street food with pop art cool. The vibe is as electric as the flavours - think corrugated iron and reclaimed wood, peppered with hanging plants and bursts of colour. A haven for locals who want more from their dining experience, Vecino doesn’t just embrace fusion - it redefines it.
The Sojito, the signature cocktail, is emblematic of this playful crossover. It's a Soju-meets-Mojito hybrid, refreshing and subtly fruity, with a whisper of mint and just enough kick to pair with kimchi bulgogi fries or a smoked spicy pork burrito. Grab a group, grab a drink and discover what makes this place a fusion frontrunner.
Book your table and taste the unexpected.
Appleby’s Mediterraneo Bar & Grill – Boat Harbour, Tas
A true gem on the Northwest coast, Appleby’s Mediterraneo Bar & Grill blends rustic charm with a Mediterranean soul. Whether dining alfresco with panoramic country views or tucked inside the lively, aroma-rich dining room, patrons are welcomed with the warmth of a family-run trattoria and the excitement of a curated food journey.
The bar at Appleby’s rotates its cocktail specials weekly, but if you’re lucky, you’ll arrive on Butter Beer night. Inspired by nostalgic indulgence but decidedly grown-up, it’s rich, velvety and spiked with just the right amount of heat to balance its sweetness. It’s the perfect pairing for wood-fired pizza or honey-glazed pork with charred root vegetables. Fancy something fun and flavourful?
Reserve now and see what’s shaking.
From seaside elegance to smoky Latin fire, these venues don’t just serve food and drinks - they offer experiences. In each case, the cocktails do more than complement the meal; they enhance the entire mood. So next time you're planning a night out, follow the mixologist’s lead. You might just find your new favourite sip.
