Celebrate the end of the working week with a well deserved drink at one of these great watering holes. From The Apo in Brisbane to El Publico in Perth, we’ve got you covered across Australia when it comes to starting your weekend right.
An energetic tequila and mezcal bar dishing up a magnificent montage of Mexican street food. Although the real hero here is the extraordinary list of the Central American rocket fuel, the food is worth the visit alone. Must eat: Carbon del mercado san juan aka. mixed grill grilled meats, salsas, verdura and tortillas El Publico, 511 Beaufort St, Highgate, WA 6003, elpublico.com.au
The modern wine bar meets restaurant by the team that delivered Town Mouse (you should visit there too). Dave Verhoul’s food is sublime, yet simple. Mostly shared plates with food given a kiss from the wood-fired oven and a wine list that’s a brave as it is enjoyable. Must eat: Anchovy toast with pickled onion. Embla, 122 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, embla.com.au
Probably the best wine bar down under if you like small rooms, small (but amazing) food offerings and trying the spoils of amazing small producers. Intimate, quirky, fun with a stellar wine list and snacks that champion vegetables and offal in equal measures. A must visit if you’re living in or visiting Melbourne. Must eat: Puffed tendon, salt and native mountain pepper. Smalls Bar, 20 Yarra Place, South Melbourne, VIC, smallsbar.com.au
It seems the Brisbane crowd don’t know how to label this one because it beautifully blurs the lines of restaurant and bar. Cracking natural bent on the wine list, killer whiskeys and food designed by one of Brisbane’s best chefs – Ben Williamson. Must eat Lebanese taco, spiced goat, garlic yoghurt, pickled pepper, mint and onion crisps. The Apo, 690 Anne St Fortitude Valley, QLD, theapo.com.au
Might just be the best damn deli down under. It’s certainly the bar and deli Sydney has yearned for with cracking cold cuts, cheese, cocktails and tinned seafood. They’re canning everything from shirts to cocktails, and even their own seafood. It’s an epic show. Pull up a pew at the bar, get a cocktail in a can (canhatten!) and get busy eating. Must eat: Anything from a tin and the crepe cannelloni, pumpkin, spinach and feta. Continental Deli and Bar, 210 Australia St, Newtown, NSW, continentaldelicatessen.com.au
