“Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.” Plautus
A luxury holiday in Byron Bay doesn’t need to be all remote beaches and hiding in the hinterland. Although, we understand if that’s all you want to do.
For those who are up to a little socialising in relaxing surrounds, we’ve selected some of the best bars in Byron Bay that offer a unique experience or preach the local vibe with a sense of sophistication. We hope you’ll enjoy.
Beach Hotel
1 Bay Street, Byron Bay
Iconic local hotel in Byron Bay overlooking Main Beach. Relaxed, spacious beer garden with a beachy vibe and a sea breeze. The atmosphere is a reflection of the great Australian beach holiday. Cheers to an endless getaway! Live entertainment daily featuring local artists as well as major international acts. Dance your shoes off on a Monday night with local Byron reggae crew 4’20’ Sound regularly hosting world-class reggae and dub acts to chilled out crowds at the Beachy. Sunday afternoons are cruisy, with locals gathering with friends to relax with a band and a cool drink after an active beach weekend. The beers focus heavily on craft but there’s also a wide range of local and international labels on offer. Just metres from the shoreline, the Beach Hotel Byron Bay offers an easy and relaxing place to meet up for a drink. The most famous pub on Australia’s east coast is a must visit on your holiday. Take your friends, or meet new ones. Open daily from 8am.
Mez Club
4/85-87 Jonson Street, Byron Bayy
Beautiful styling and feel good coastal vibe. Not only does the Mez Club look luxurious and comfortable, the exquisitely pretty cocktails will have you lounging like an island princess. The Mez Club Mediterranean cantina and bar is inspired by Moroccan architecture and the Greek Islands, with a touch of Byron. It’s a meeting place for locals and guests to the Byron Bay region. Try their signature cocktail, Turkish Princess, with its locally produced Turkish delight liqueur giving a smooth, sweet and subtle hint of rose water. It’s delicate and delicious. Grazing, tapas and dinner menus. Private upstairs mezzanine, The Souk, is available for pre-wedding gatherings or special occasions. Daily happy hour 4-6pm. Walk-in or reserve a table by the window. See you at the Mez Club!
St Elmo Dining Room & Bar
22 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay
The mosaic-patterned bar and cool, urban feel of St Elmo Dining Room & Bar is perfect for an intimate and sophisticated gathering with good friends or family in Byron Bay. Hearts will be warmed by the creative cocktails. Palates will be pleased by the contemporary tapas and share plates, influenced by the tables of Spain and inspired by local ingredients. Fine food and good times, to be shared among family and friends. The impressive wine list showcases hard to find wines from Spain and Europe, as well as some of the most interesting and best wines Australia has to offer. Try one of their signature gin and tonics, featuring locally distilled spirits and native wild herbs. A social, modern eatery, St Elmo is a refined bar and dining experience in Byron Bay.
The Bolt Hole
9 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay
An upstairs whisky and cocktail bar serving wood fired and smoked, slow-cooked BBQ food. Beach glimpses and panoramic sunset views over Byron Bay’s hinterland. The bar showcases over 200 whiskeys and gins and serves craft cocktails, artisanal spirits, organic wines and canned craft beers from all over the world. With bluesy music and antique industrial styling, it’s not hard to relax here, seated deep in a Chesterfield lounge, sun going down, drink in hand. Try the signature cocktail, The Bolt Hole, a miniature Bacardi rum served bum-up in a freshly drilled young Thai coconut. Or for the full Bolt Hole experience, you can sample three of the world’s finest scotch whiskeys served neat, with a cheese platter. Souvenir an official TBH trucker’s hat and you know you’ve been Bolted. Climb the stairs, open the vintage church door, and find a unique refuge from the sun. Children are welcome before 7pm.
Byron Bay Brewery
1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay
A microbrewery and leafy beer garden with live entertainment just out of the main centre of Byron Bay. Refreshing, unique craft beers straight from the tanks. Byron Bay Brewery is a place with a tale and part of Byron’s local history. Once a piggery, the building transformed in the 1980s to the iconic Byron Bay Arts Factory, a music haven for musicians such as Eric Burdon, Charlie Musselwaite, The Ramones, The Pogues, Violent Femmes, Crowded House, Paul Kelly and even host to the first East Coast Blues and Roots festival (now Byron Bay Bluesfest). With the warm weather and year-round humidity, it’s not hard to cool down here with a refreshing pale ale or bold, bitter lager. If you love a good beer, you’ll enjoy the distinctive flavours from this brewery. Space for the family to relax, share a few plates of modern pub food and enjoy a cold brew with local entertainment. Call the courtesy bus for pick up and drop off in Byron Bay.
Miss Margarita
2 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
A lively Mexican cantina with a beachy vibe. Opposite the Beach Hotel in prime people watching position. Refreshing cocktails and more-ish Mexican style food hit the spot with groups of friends keen to relax in Byron Bay. The crispy Snapper tacos with mango and lime are delicious. Sit back with a cold cerveza, sip on a smoked pineapple margarita or try a tequila tasting flight, the best of Mexican spirits served with fruits, salt and lime. They’re almost a dessert! Colourful, artistic and fun, Miss Margarita offers a mean happy hour from 5pm to 6pm daily. Follow it up with fabulous fajitas for everyone! Upstairs, indoor terrace and outdoor seating. Bookings only accepted Monday – Thursday, June – early September. All other times, strictly walk-in venue.
Other Great Byron Bay Places
meet the Byron locals discover local music and experience the culture:
The Rails
Great Northern Hotel
The Park Hotel
Hotel Brunswick
Download our Byron Bay Bar Hop Map.
A self-guided tour by foot. Follow the map to Byron Bay’s best bars and cocktail lounges.