Darwin Bars & Nightlife

Though Darwin might not rival Melbourne and Sydney when it comes to nightlife, its variety of bars and clubs is still impressive – especially considering the city is located in the Australian Outback! Fuelled largely by its hefty backpacker scene, Darwin’s bars and nightclubs are the perfect place to make some new friends while enjoying a drink or three.

Popular Darwin Watering Holes

Victoria Hotel

Darwin’s most popular place to party is definitely the Victoria Hotel. Built in 1890, 'The Vic', as locals call it, is where you are likely to find some sort of celebration happening most nights of the week. With DJs, dancing, live bands and dirt-cheap meals, the Heritage-listed pub is showing no signs of slowing down.

Discovery Nightclub

Located on the notorious Mitchell Street, Discovery Nightclub is where locals and tourists alike come to dance the night away. Darwin’s biggest club is home to three levels of entertainment, and on each floor you can find different DJs playing good-times-inducing tunes.

Darwin Sailing Club

For something more laid back, it’s hard to beat enjoying a beer with a Timor Sea sunset to keep you company. Just as good for a bite as it is a pint, the waterfront bistro is another reason why the Darwin Sailing Club is one of the city's favourite places to unwind.

We Recommend...

Viva la Vida

With an impressive range of locally sourced tapas, around 50 wines by the glass and a hip interior, it can be hard to believe you’re in Darwin when visiting Viva la Vida. The drinks list is excellent, but it’s the buffalo milk cheeses from the Northern Territory that might just be the highlight of the menu.

The Deck Bar

It’s possible to visit a lively bar and nightclub without taking a trip to rough-and-tumble Mitchell Street. The Deck Bar is a somewhat stereotypical Darwin establishment with non-pretentious meals and plenty of late-night action. Enjoy the view of the Northern Territory Parliament building from the airy deck.

Bogart’s Bar and Grill

Once a gentleman's club, Bogart’s these days is a quirky establishment perfect for serious foodies and those with refined drinking tastes. Attracting an older and more sophisticated crowd than Darwin’s backpacker frequented bars, on weekends this suburban establishment is a great place to hear some of the best live music Darwin has to offer.