The Best Bars in Geelong for Cocktails and Good Times

Geelong turns it on after dark. Once the beach walks and bakery runs are done, the city shifts into aperitivo mode, with moody wine bars, slick cocktail spots and easy locals’ haunts pouring well into the evening. If you are hunting the best bars in Geelong, this guide rounds up the places worth booking, walking into and telling your group chat about after one very good round.

From date-night drinks to low-key catch-ups and celebratory pours, these are the Geelong bars setting the tone right now for locals and visitors.

Fantome Wine Bar & Cocktails

Fantôme is where Geelong goes when the night calls for something a little more theatrical, darling. On Ryrie Street, this French-inspired wine bar and cocktail spot pairs martinis and award-winning cocktails with a seriously good late kitchen and a by-the-glass list that runs deep, including rare finds. There is real drama here, but also substance, which makes it perfect for dates, dressed-up dinners and those accidental long nights.

126 Ryrie Street, Geelong

Daisy

Daisy slips into Geelong after dark with serious charm, tucked beneath Shorts Place in an intimate basement bar by Alistair Bullock and Alex Brownbridge. Come for beautifully made cocktails, a clever wine list and snacky bites, then stay for the soundtrack and easy energy. The room is moody, stylish and full of personality, making it one of the city’s most exciting late-night additions for drinks right now.

Basement venue, enter via stairs

4-6 Shorts Place, Geelong

Petrel Hotel

The Petty is back, and Geelong’s oldest hotel has returned with serious style. Fresh from a beautiful refurbishment, this local favourite pairs warm timber interiors with a bar pouring local ales and wines. The menu is pub dining turned up a notch, from croquettes and Sydney rock oysters to T-bone with potato pavé and peppercorn sauce. Add vegetarian options and a kids’ menu, and you’ve got an instant crowd-pleaser too.

81 Pakington Street, Geelong West 

Recess Bar and Eats

For cocktails, food and rooftop energy in Geelong, Recess is always a strong move. Set on level three, this lively bar opens onto sweeping views of St Mary’s Church, with spicy margaritas that have a habit of turning one round into two. Come hungry, because the share-style menu roams far and wide, with bold, crowd-pleasing plates made for the table. Bring friends, order generously, and settle in for a very good time.

247 Moorabool Street, Geelong

Meet Me At Mary’s

One of the best new bars in Geelong, Meet Me At Mary’s has quickly become a Sunday favourite, with local musicians playing live sets that give the room an easy, celebratory energy. A sister venue to The Arborist, this contemporary wine bar and restaurant balances industrial edge with warmth, from concrete floors and lofty ceilings to exposed brick and a striking blue-tiled bar.

Drinks cover classic cocktails, smart twists and an excellent wine list, while the share plates bring modern Australian cooking into step with Korean and Mediterranean influences.

66 Pakington Street, Geelong West

White Rabbit Brewery & Barrel Hall

For one of the most distinctive bar experiences in Geelong, head to White Rabbit Barrel Hall in Little Creatures Village. Set at the centre of the brewery, the space opens with rows of aging ale barrels and visible fermenters that bring the brewing process into full view. On pour, you’ll find the full permanent range, plus specialty beers exclusive to the venue. Settle in with antipasto, a few cold beers and warm hospitality.

221 Swanston Street, Geelong

Caledonia Shores at Geelong Pavilion

You could walk past Pavilion Geelong and never guess what’s waiting upstairs. Caledonia Shores opens onto sweeping views over Eastern Beach, all sunlit corners and a refined, pared-back fit-out that feels made for long afternoons.

We’re cheating slightly because it sits closer to restaurant territory, but the drinks are far too good not to include. Come for the spicy margaritas and spritzes, stay for the food, the sea air and that golden-hour glamour that makes any season feel like summer.

95 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong 

There There

For a rollicking night out, make tracks to There There, a chic retro bar in Geelong with full 1970s mischief in its veins. Orange neon, vinyl stacks and velour couches set the scene from the moment you walk in. Drinks are playful and properly boozy, spotlighting Australian producers in cocktails like the bush honey and wattleseed espresso martini. There’s craft beer, house wine by the carafe, and weekend DJs spinning throwback records.

8 Malop Street, Geelong

Geelong Cellar Door

For a proper taste of Greater Geelong’s cool-climate wine scene, make a booking at Geelong Cellar Door. Part bar, part bottle shop, it is the place to settle in with a glass and let the team guide you through standout local drops. Summer calls for the window seats and people-watching, while winter belongs to the couches by the open fire. A year-round favourite for very good reason.

97-99 Little Malop Street, Geelong

The 18th Amendment Bar

Head upstairs on Little Malop Street and 18th Amendment opens into a speakeasy-style hideaway with moody old-world flair and a seriously sharp cocktail list. The drinks lean playful and clever, from the bubble tea-inspired Taro Reader to polished house signatures, while whisky lovers are spoiled with a cellar of more than 100 Irish, Scottish and Australian drams. A Geelong favourite for a reason.

82A Little Malop Street, Geelong

Piano Bar

Piano Bar is pure big-night energy, with piano tunes, singalongs and nightly entertainment keeping the room in full swing. Singing waitstaff, regular drag shows and a crowd that is always ready to join in make this a standout for fun in Geelong. Pair your drinks with pizzas and tapas-style snacks, from spiced meatballs to crispy calamari, and settle in for a gloriously playful evening.

90 – 92 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Murphys

At Murphys, history and good times share the same address. This 1855 pub, rooftop and local institution, was once the birthplace of the Geelong Cats, and still knows how to draw a crowd. Come for skyline views, pints and cocktails, then stay for live music, Saturday bottomless brunch and a Sunday session with serious local energy across the Front Bar and rooftop, right in town.

30 Aberdeen Street, Geelong West

Beav’s Bar

Slip behind the bright red door on Little Malop Street and Beav’s Bar opens into an eclectic lounge made for long, easy nights. Set in a historic bluestone building, this Geelong favourite shifts gears across the week, from Wednesday open mic and karaoke to laidback live acoustic sets from Thursday to Saturday. Ideal for a post-shopping drink with personality and local talent on show.

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?