The 13 Best Bars in Geelong for Cocktails and Good Times
You'll never be short of a place to sit and sip in the best bars in Geelong.
Geelong’s sun, surf and café culture provides plenty of entertainment during the day, but what about when night falls?
You’ll be thrilled to know that there’s just as much revelry to be had in the evening, with a buzzing bar scene ready to be explored.
Whether you’re after a charming neighbourhood wine bar, a glitzy cocktail parlour or relaxed hangout spot, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover the best bars in Geelong.
Recess Bar and Eats
Known for it's amazing food and tasty cocktails, Recess is the place to be for a good time with friends.
The cocktail bar on level three welcomes guests in with sweeping views of St. Mary's church, and one spicy marg can easily turn into two... or three.
If you get peckish, the globetrotting share menu is as thrilling as you’d find anywhere. Order freely and widely, because everything here is guaranteed gold.
247 Moorabool Street, Geelong
Meet Me At Mary's
Meet Me At Mary's might be one of the newest bars in Geelong, but it's already cream of the crop, where Sunday afternoons are soundtracked by local musicians jamming away as part of the live music sessions taking place within its chic confines.
Sister to the popular restaurant The Arborist, this contemporary wine bar and restaurant is industrial but warm, with polished concrete floors, high ceilings, brick walls, and a blue-tiled bar that's undoubtedly the focal point.
Go for classic cocktails or a riff on a classic, or if wine is more your drink of choice, the line-up is extensive. Food-wise, enjoy shared plates that are modern Australian in essence, yet draw inspiration from both Korean and Mediterranean cuisine.
The hardest part will be choosing what to have first!
66 Pakington Street, Geelong West
White Rabbit Brewery & Barrel Hall
A space to ignite your imagination and explore your curiosity, the White Rabbit Barrel Hall places you at the heart of the brewery.
Barrels filled with aging ales greet you upon entry, while yeast dances in the visible open fermenters.
This popular bar in Geelong features all of their permanent range, plus a couple of specialty beers only available on-site. Found in Little Creatures Village, it's the perfect spot to swap stories with friends over a couple of cold ones, while enjoying antipasto and the friendly hospitality provided.
221 Swanston Street, Geelong
Caledonia Shores at Geelong Pavilion
You’d be forgiven for not knowing what lies above Pavilion Geelong. Think of everlasting views, overflowing light, and a modern yet minimalistic space oozing with class.
We're being a little sneaky here, as it's certainly more restaurant than bar - but the drinks are that good, and the good time energy is high!
The epitome of everything we love - good food, drinks and a taste of summer no matter what season we’re in, all by the shores of Geelong’s Eastern Beach, Caledonia Shores is the place to be for spicy margaritas and spritzes as the sun begins to set.
95 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong
Union Street Wine Bar
With an enthralling wine list that ranges from relaxed to avant-garde, Union Street is at the forefront of Geelong’s maturing wine scene.
Sip your way across 150 local and international bottles inside a cosy bar that’s a beloved part of the neighbourhood and well-known as one of the best bars in Geelong.
Friendly staff enthusiastically share their knowledge of the good stuff, and you won’t go hungry with elegant snacks and cheeses flying off the pass.
8 Union Street, Geelong
There There
For a rollicking good time head to There There, a chic retro bar in Geelong that will warp you back to the 1970s.
Decked out in orange neon, vinyl records and velour couches, you’re encouraged to let loose like they did back then.
The drinks here are as fun as they are boozy, showcasing Australian producers in cocktails like a bush honey and wattleseed espresso martini.
There’s also a mighty range of craft beers, spirits and house wine by the carafe, plus DJs spinning throwback records on the weekend.
8 Malop Street, Geelong
Geelong Cellar Door
If you want to acquaint yourself with the brilliant cool climate wines produced in the Greater Geelong region, there’s no better place to go than Geelong Cellar Door.
This smart and sophisticated bar-slash-store is a haven for wine lovers, with passionate staff pouring a fantastic array of bottles and sharing their wisdom.
In summer you’ll find regulars watching the world go by from the window seats, while in winter the couches near the roaring open fire are a hot commodity - this is one of the best bars in Geelong, all year round.
97-99 Little Malop Street, Geelong
Manhattan Bar
Manhattan Bar pays homage to the late-night venues of New York with its dive bar spirit and welcoming atmosphere.
If you like a well-made cocktail and a spot of rock music, you’ll feel right at home here as jovial bar staff and a diverse clientele keep the good times rolling.
They’ve got an ample craft beer selection and spirits that go all the way to the top shelf, and you can even challenge your mates to a spin on the arcade gaming machine.
9 James Street, Geelong
The 18th Amendment Bar
Named after the notorious law that heralded Prohibition in the United States, 18th Amendment has long been one of the best bars in Geelong.
Head up the stairs on Little Malop Street to discover a speakeasy-style bar that barrels you back in time. Old world décor is contrasted with daringly modern cocktails, such as the bubble tea-inspired Taro Reader with taro milk tea, butter vodka, coconut rum and ume plum.
Whiskey drinkers are also looked after with a stellar cellar that encompasses over a hundred Irish, Scottish and Australian drams.
82A Little Malop Street, Geelong
Piano Bar
Just like it says on the box, you can drop by this cheerful bar for piano tunes, boisterous singalongs and nightly entertainment.
There’s never a dull moment at Piano Bar, with singing waitresses serenading patrons and regular drag shows adding pizzazz to your evening.
The bar serves tasty pizzas and tapas-style snacks to go with your drinks – think spiced meatballs and crispy calamari. For a fun night out without compare, put Piano Bar at the top of your list.
90 – 92 Little Malop Street, Geelong
Valhalla Brewing and Taproom
This taproom is nothing like your typical brewery. Valhalla Brewing isn’t located in a warehouse or an echoey building in the ‘burbs, but rather in an intimate CBD space that’s akin to hanging out at a friend’s place.
Patrons are encouraged to bring their vinyl records to spin as they catch up with mates and taste their way through Valhalla’s Viking-inspired line of beers.
You can catch live, local music every Friday night, while a snappy list of pizzas ward off any peckishness.
12-14 Union Street, Geelong
Murphys
Some of the best views can be found at one of the best bars in Geelong - Murphys. A charming pub and rooftop bar built back in 1855, that has some cracking local history to its name.
The birthplace of the Geelong Cats Football Club and 'the original meeting place' for community gatherings of old, today it's a reinvigorated space offering an extensive dining menu and wine to match, plus tasty cocktails & over 20 different local & craft beers on tap.
Grab your best crew and go for live music in the Front Bar on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday; book in a bottomless brunch on Saturday, or simply slip inside for a fantastic Sunday session.
30 Aberdeen Street, Geelong West
Beav’s Bar
Slip behind the bright red door on Little Malop Street to discover an eclectic lounge you can kick back in all night.
The mood at Beav’s Bar shifts throughout the week, with boisterous open mic and karaoke nights on Wednesdays and relaxed live acoustic music from Thursdays to Saturdays.
Situated in a historic bluestone cottage in the centre of town, Beav’s is an ideal place for a post-shopping hangout where you can enjoy quirky patchwork décor and local talent.
77-79 Little Malop Street, Geelong
In Geelong for the weekend? After checking out the best bars in Geelong, why not explore our top 15 things to do while you’re in Geelong, or eat and drink your way through the city’s best restaurants?
