As the sun stretches longer and Summer’s golden glow returns, it’s time to swap cosy reds for colourful cocktails that taste like holidays in a glass. Across Australia, bartenders are shaking up tropical creations bursting with passionfruit, lychee and lime - from sultry basement hideaways to breezy rooftop oases.
Whether you’re seeking an intimate escape lit by candlelight, or a sun-drenched spot where palm fronds sway beside ocean views, these bars deliver the perfect dose of island spirit. Raise a glass to endless Summer nights and discover the vibrant flavours of paradise, one sip at a time.
Nestled in a dim basement on Peel Street in Adelaide’s CBD, Therapy Cocktail Bar whispers of secret indulgence. With more than 100 inventive and classic cocktails deftly crafted by master mixologists, it invites you into moody corners, retro wallpaper, plush seating — and a night where every sip feels like a stolen moment.
Celebrate the warmer weather with tropical cocktail such as Pine Passion – vodka, elderflower, pineapple and passionfruit – or the Lychee Bloom with vodka, lychee liqueur, lemon, lime, sugar and grapefruit soda. Why not book in for a Masterclass and get creative for your next event, creating your own custom cocktails for family and friends?
Discovered behind a stately green door, Nok Nok BNE on Brunswick Street charms with tropical whispers and soft lamplight. Inside, lush ferns, curved bar tiles and gold-accented tables cocoon guests as bespoke cocktails and rare spirits flow — a whisper-quiet escape in Fortitude Valley’s heart.
Imagine unconventional cocktails such as the Hippolyta – a tiki-adjacent tribute to the Warrior Queen of the Amazon. It’s tropical, fruity and a Summer crusher with Nok Nok’s blanco blend, coconut fat-washed ‘Jamaican funk’ rum blend, housemade pandan and aloe vera liqueur, salted kiwi-infused vermouth, fresh lime and bitters.
Tucked behind Clarence Street in Port Macquarie, Stick Bar glows with amber light and timber warmth. Japanese-inspired yakitori smokes on skewers, cocktails brim with inventive flair and soft laughter drifts through the dusky air. It feels like an intimate world apart — wild, tasty, and quietly electric.
For tropical vibes, order a Coconut Margarita with blanco tequila, cointreau, lime juice, agave syrup and pandan coconut cream, in a glass rimmed with toasted coconut flakes; or a Lychee Rose Martini – rose-infused vodka, Paraiso lychee liqueur, Passoa passionfruit liqueur, fresh pressed citrus, citrus cordial and aqua faba.
Perched high above Townsville, Ardo Rooftop on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive entices with sweeping ocean vistas and a sky-kissed horizon. Every sunset glazes the sky in amber; cocktails and palm-leaf whispering mingle with the sea breeze. Gather at white-washed bars, share tapas and feel the day melt away into evening.
Celebrate being in this tropical paradise with a cocktail to match – think a Mango Dreamer with Bundaberg silver rum, Malibu coconut rum, mango and lime – or a Pearl Paradise with gin, grape liqueur, lemon, lychee, ginger ale and pop-up pearls.
Warm amber glimmers off polished timber and glowing glass at Grain Bar, tucked into Sydney’s George Street. Plush leather seats cradle patrons beneath soft lighting, while bespoke cocktails and more than 200 whiskies whisper of craft. The hum of soft conversation, clinking glasses make this a refined city escape.
Sample sensory cocktails such as the Heart of the Garden – Roku gin, St Germain, yusuzhu, lychee and Baijiu. This visual masterpiece celebrates the sense of sight with vibrant colour, artful garnish and serious wow factor. It’s almost too pretty to drink…almost!
