Wollongong’s Best Bars, Pubs, Clubs and Nightlife: Plan Your Perfect Night Out…

Your insider guide to Wollongong’s & Illawarra’s best bars, clubs and pubs. Brought to you by the dedicated team at What’s On In Wollongong. We thoroughly enjoyed researching our awesome local venues! Plan the best night out in Wollongong CBD or Shellharbour. Find Illawarra’s small & secret bars, favourite clubs, pubs and cocktail bars, ‘best pubs near me’, bars on the beach, and the best places to dance. The Illawarra has it all. Let’s go!

The Icon Wollongong

The Icon… Top Rated Wollongong Restaurant, Bar and Dance Floor

Ah The Icon, our top-rated Wollongong CBD bar and restaurant. Going to The Icon, well, it’s like dating a few ‘nice-but-not-quite-right-people’, and then you find ‘the one’. Here’s why The Icon is one venue that fulfils all your social needs:

Start with its high ceilings, awesome vibe, eclectic music, and DJs. Add to this its switched-on, friendly staff, lively atmosphere, and diverse clientele (they have an awesome no d!ckhead policy). The Icon Wollongong offers great food, lush cocktails, a dance floor, function rooms and top-notch service. One of our best value Wollongong happy hours too, with $6 beers and wines and $10 cocktails. Book a table here or call about your next party function or table (02) 4244 3737 (tell them What’s On In Wollongong sent you).

Drinks and dancing with mates? Definitely! The dance floor and DJs are awesome.
A night out with the girls? Absolutely (you’ll feel safe and welcomed here).
Incredible food specials, the $12 Schnitzel Thursday night is packed! Bookings essential.
Functions – free room hire, no minimum spend – whoop!
Address: 1/276 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500
Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday, Lunch until late
Happy Hours: ALL DAY Thurs, Friday & Sat 3 pm – 7 pm. $6 beers and wines and $10 cocktails
Food Specials: $12 Schnitzel Thursdays and sharing plates
Known For: Live DJ performances and FUN nights

Dreams On Crown

Dreams On Crown – Restaurant and Bar Wollongong offers the best blend of food and bar culture in one space, right in the heart of Wollongong. Dine, dance and sing the night away with friends and family.

Live Music & Entertainment:
Dreams On Crown – Restaurant and Bar Wollongong hosts weekly entertainment with a variety of musicians and DJs from 8.30 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Swing by for some cocktails and dancing to kick off your weekend!

Drink & Dine:
A deliciously dreamy NEW menu by Chef Sam Prescott-Smith, of snacks, meals, sharing platters, cocktails and an extensively stocked bar. Dreams On Crown – Restaurant and Bar Wollongong boasts everything from snacks to pub classics and kid-friendly meals, with an assortment of beer, wine and tasty cocktails. Enjoy your meal in their cosy dining area or take in the sights of Crown St Mall from their balcony.

End your working week with great cocktails and drinks at their Happy Hour! Happy Hour 4-6 pm with $14 cocktails and $7 Coronas.

PLUS – *Kids eat FREE lunch every Sunday.
Every Sunday at Dreams On Crown Bar & Restaurant is KIDS EAT FREE. One child per adult and the free meal must be purchased from the kids’ menu. Lunch from 11:45 am.

Book your next table, party or function at Dreams On Crown here!

The Lagoon Restaurant

Open 7 days for lunch and dinner, at The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant you can enjoy the freshest seafood including king prawns, local lobsters, Queensland mud crabs, Sydney rock oysters and local fish, as well as the finest grain fed beef and poultry. Choose a wine from any region around Australia, New Zealand and further abroad. From a crisp, cool climate Sauvignon Blanc to a rich Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sunset Sessions every Friday & Sunday!
Enjoy live music every Friday and Sunday on the deck at The Lagoon Restaurant whilst sipping on their Happy Hour specials. They have a brand-NEW tapas and cocktail menu to quench your thirst.

Friday 4-7pm
Sunday 3-6pm

Looking for something more relaxed and DIY? Try their takeaway cheese boxes with a bottle of wine on the sand only footsteps away from the water. Their kiosk will also be trading longer hours on Friday and Sunday afternoons. So soak up the sun and join in for an unforgettable long weekend at The Lagoon!

ilu ilu Bar & Restaurant

*Divine Cocktails and Food Await at ilu ilu*

Wollongong’s ilu ilu – we love you! You’ll also love ilu ilu Bar’s atmospheric, exotic Indian vibes. The cocktails are delightful, the food is so delicious, and the welcome is warm. The terrace is great for warmer nights. Perfect for date nights, mates’ nights or group bookings. PLUS:

Bottomless Brunch every Sunday
Bottomless Brunch sessions are run from 12 pm-2 pm and 2 pm-4 pm. Bookings are essential here. The cost is $65pp and includes unlimited ‘Cocktail of the Day’ and unlimited ‘Dish of the Day’. Please note: cocktails change weekly and food changes monthly. Bookings here.

ilu ilu hosts the following regular & weekly events:

Happy Hour is Wednesday – Friday 5 pm – 6 pm and Saturday 2 pm – 4 pm, with 15% off cocktails + 20% off beer & wine.
Live Jazz Night every Thursday from 6.30 pm – 9 pm
Friday Night Live Music from 8.30 pm – 10 pm
DJ tunes every Saturday night from 9 pm till late
Comedy Night on the first Wednesday of the month at 6.30 pm for a 7 pm start. Book in for an evening of laughs, tapas and cocktails!
ilu ilu address is 10-18 Regent St Wollongong – tell them What’s on in Wollongong sent you!

Scoundrel’s Rest

An exciting brand-new Neo-Tiki Bar has landed in Wollongong! One of our newest bars, you’ll love Scoundrel’s Rest tropical holiday vibes, delish cocktails, great value share plates and fun, friendly staff. Open: 4 pm-midnight every night, grab your mates, dates or ladies and sample this funky venue at 74 Kembla St, Wollongong.

– Great value: On-tap cocktails available daily: $15 Piña Coladas, Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris and Miami Vices (1/2 Pina, 1/2 Strawberry Daiq) also $12 Mojitos and Dark and Stormy. All are made in-house from scratch using quality ingredients.

– Unique and expansive tapas-style food offering featuring playful takes on dishes from the Caribbean, South America and Southeast Asia. The kitchen is open till late 7 days a week, great for groups and sharing.

– Expansive spirit selection and divine cocktails, featuring carefully curated renditions of classic Tiki/Tropical cocktails and innovative takes on the genre.

– Your own slice of tropical paradise: a unique and relaxing atmosphere, designed to whisk you away for an evening, just like you’re on holiday.

Book your next table, party or function with the crew at Scoundrel’s Rest!

The Waterfront Tavern, Shell Cove

Enjoy the stunning views of Shellharbour Marina at The Waterfront Tavern, Shell Cove. Wine, dine and relax in style! Discover the magic of Shellharbour Marina and, at the heart of it all – The Waterfront Tavern.

Enjoy a family-friendly dining experience, an afternoon drink or relax and enjoy their harbourside view from their waterfront seating. The Waterfront Tavern is at the heart of Shell Cove’s Waterfront Dining Precinct.

Whether sipping on a signature cocktail, dining on fresh Australian produce with a post-modern twist, or watching the latest sporting event, catching up with family and friends has never looked so good! Book your next table, part or function here.

Black Cockatoo

The Black Cockatoo is Wollongong’s secret bar. Less of a secret now! Walk through the curtain from Millers Bakehouse into this hidden, small bar on Kembla Street. It’s a couple of doors down from Scoundrel’s Rest – definitely fit both these unique bars into one night. You’ll dig the vibes in both bars straight away. Here is why the Black Cockatoo is making quite the name for itself:

It’s a cosy, cool, but intimate bar with great tunes that will inspire your dance moves later at night. The team behind the bar not only make divine cocktails with flair and passion, but they happily chat to all clientele. You could easily bring a first date here, as it’s just so damn cool. Plus, the awesome team will chat with you to help fill in awks pauses! Or bring your mates or ladies for a girls’ night out.

Romance blossomed in this funky bar (maybe it’s all love that obviously goes into each cocktail and drink), but the owner of What’s On In Wollongong actually met her partner here. Yup, IRL (in real life) – no dating apps are required, just on a night out in a great venue with a genuinely warm vibe.

Drinks and dancing with mates? For sure, the dance floor is small, but it’s doable!
A night out with the girls? Absolutely.
Date Night? Yup, sip cocktails, beers, and vinos and enjoy the vibe together.

Steamers Bar & Grill

Steamers Bar & Grill – hello drinks and food with stunning ocean views! Overlooking City Beach, Steamers combines a relaxed beachside vibe with a diverse menu, attentive service and extensive drink selection—a Wollongong must-visit for casual drinks, dinner or a special occasion.

Address: 1 Marine Dr, Wollongong NSW 2500
Opening Hours: Daily, 12 noon – late
Happy Hours: 5 PM – 7 PM (Monday to Friday)
Food Specials: Locally sourced tapas-style plates of seafood.
Known For: Beachfront location and vibrant atmosphere

Centro CBD (Restaurant, Bar, Events & Functions)

Centro CBD is amazing for dinner (we can’t go past the classic cannelloni), drinks, functions, live music and awesome gigs, comedy nights and more!

Address: 28 Stewart St, Wollongong, NSW, 2500
.Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5 pm – 11 pm
Happy Hours: 5 pm – 6 pm (Tuesday to Friday)
Food Specials: Classic Italian dishes
Known For: Fine wines, amazing live music performances with dinner and sophisticated ambience.

Book your table party or function here!

Seeker Brewing

For those who love craft beer and laid-back vibes, plus amazing live music events, Seeker Brewery in Unanderra is for you! From the vibrant music scene and a thirst for adventure – fostered by mountains and surf – Seeker Brewing was born.

What’s on at Seeker Brewing:

Fancy a pizza to go with your nice cold one? Seeker’s Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, wood-fired in their on-site Seeker Hut truck are a hit with the locals. Pizzas are available Thursday – Sunday. Check out their menu to tempt your tastebuds HERE.
Happy Hour is every Thursday and Friday from 3 pm – 5 pm with their $6 core range of schooners.
Regular live music gigs feature the cream of what’s coming up that is cool on the local music scene – check out the live music events HERE.

Book your next table, live music event or function at Seeker here.

Coldwater Creek at Sage Hotel Wollongong

Love a Lobby Bar? Coldwater Creek is located at the Sage Hotel Wollongong on Harbour St in Wollongong, near WIN Stadium. They offer a relaxed lobby-style bar and restaurant experience with great food and drinks.

Don’t miss Coldwater Creek Restaurant’s Happy Hour, which runs from 5 pm to 6 pm daily! During Happy Hour, you can enjoy house beer and wine for $5 and signature cocktails for $15.

Additionally, they have a fantastic lineup of specials every week that will tantalize your taste buds even further! From succulent steak to seafood sensation, there’s something for everyone! Their daily specials include flavourful signature burgers, traditional Black Angus T-Bone, Wings ‘N’ Tins, and Ribs & Rum.

The Bally Hotel

The Bally Hotel offers a family-friendly atmosphere and monthly live music events. Check out their program here! The hotel is known for its great vibe and is a staple in the community.

Once a month, the hotel hosts popular Monthly Family Fun Days. Bring the whole family in for a bite to eat and some drinks. Enjoy live music, outdoor games, table tennis, pool tables, and a kids’ painting station from 12 pm-4 pm. Don’t miss out! Keep an eye on our social media for upcoming Family Fun Days!

The Bally also offers weekly dining specials such as the Bally Midweek Lunch, where you can choose from chicken schnitzel, salt and pepper squid, vegan parmi, or cheeseburger for just $15.

Don’t miss the Monthly Band Nights on the second Saturday of every month at The Bally! Stop by to share some love, food, drinks, and, most importantly… dance moves. Band Night starts at 9 pm and is completely free entry. It is open to anyone over 18. You are welcome to book a table if you want a particular spot or want to have a delicious meal beforehand, but you are also welcome to walk in.

Five Barrel Brewing

Five Barrel Brewing is a family-owned and operated brewery located in the Illawarra. The taproom features sixteen rotating taps, and the head brewers constantly invent and perfect new flavour combinations to cater to everyone’s preferences. You are sure to find a unique beer that you love here.

The Five Barrel Brewing food truck serves a variety of delicious burgers every Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm to 7:45 pm and on Sunday from 12 pm to 4:45 pm. The menu includes plain and fancy burgers, vegetarian options, fries, and chicken wings. They also offer a special deal on Thursdays: a $10 Spicy Chicken Burger served with chips. This burger has garnered legendary status and is definitely worth trying!

Regular not-to-be-missed events:
Sunday Funday Family Game Day – every Sunday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Looking for a fun-filled family day? Join Five Barrels for a day packed with exciting games every Sunday. Plus, on the second Sunday of each month, enjoy the Family Meal Deal. Challenge your loved ones to outdoor games like Giant Jenga, Connect Four, and Cornhole, or opt for indoor fun with card games, chess, and checkers. It’s all about good vibes and outdoor thrills!
Happy Hour
Monday to Friday, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Enjoy schooners from $6 and middys from $5.
Live Music
Live music every Saturday from 5:30 pm. Stay updated on their Facebook page for upcoming music events and acts at the brewery. Sunday Soul Sessions are on the last Sunday of the month.

Woonona Bulli RSL

Woonona-Bulli RSL is a favourite among locals for good reasons. It offers a great atmosphere, ample space for kids to play outside, and delectable food. Whether you want a fantastic meal at the Brasserie (open seven days for lunch and dinner) or are craving a delicious pizza (don’t miss their awesome weekly pizza deal), this place has been delighting Illawarra locals for many years. Thursday through Sunday, you can get some fantastic cocktails for $15 (for members or $18 for non-members). The all-day bar and café serve up delicious coffee, light snacks, cakes, slices, craft beers, and an extensive wine list. Check out their events schedule to see what’s on!

Wests Illawarra

Wests Illawarra is a popular pub that offers a variety of entertainment, dining, and drinking options. The kids’ area is open seven days a week, ensuring that your children will be entertained while waiting for meals or while you enjoy some adult conversation over a drink. The pub features regular live music, weekday lunchtime specials, and members’ happy hour every Wednesday from 4 pm to 6 pm and Saturday from 3 pm to 5 pm, all available at The Craft Bar.

South Coast Distillery

South Coast Distillery offers a unique experience with its handcrafted spirits and stylish bar setting. You can visit the Cellar Door throughout the week from 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from midday to purchase our premium spirits and explore upcoming products and small-batch releases.

The Distillery Bar is open every Friday from 4 pm and on Saturdays from midday, where you can enjoy specialty cocktails, tasting flights, Australian craft whiskies, and a rotating selection of local beers and wines. In the cosy Botanical Garden, you can relax with a picnic. You’re welcome to bring your own grazing boards, and South Coast Distillery’s neighbours at Bellissimo Gourmet offer a fantastic range of quality pizzas. Feel free to bring your own food or order from your preferred delivery service. Bookings are encouraged if you want to ensure a table, and you can make a reservation here.

Happy Hour is every Friday from 4 pm-6 pm. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy week. Don’t miss out on the perfect blend of great prices and even greater vibes!

In addition to the amazing bar and drinks, they even offer guided tastings, Gin making workshops, and cocktail making classes.

FAQs

What are the best bars in Wollongong CBD? Some of the best bars in Wollongong CBD include The Icon, ilu ilu Bar, and Scoundrel’s Rest. These venues are popular for their unique atmospheres, great drink selections, and prime locations.

Where can I find cocktail bars in Wollongong? Again, The Icon, ilu ilu Bar, Scoundrels’s Rest, Centro CBD, Steamers and South Coast Distillery are excellent choices for cocktail bars in Wollongong. They offer a wide range of cocktails in stylish settings, perfect for a night out.

Are there any bars on the beach in Wollongong? Yes, Steamers Bar & Restaurant is located overlooking City Beach Wollongong, offering stunning views, amazing locally sourced food and a relaxing atmosphere.

Best Breweries in Wollongong? You can’t go past Five Barrel Brewing (Wollongong) or Seeker Brewing in Unanderra for craft beers, live music and awesome vibes.

What are some popular Wollongong pubs and clubs? Wollongong’s most popular pubs and clubs include The Bally Hotel, Woonona Bulli RSL, and Wests Illawarra.

Where can I find a good wine bar in Wollongong? Centro CBD is a top choice for a wine bar in Wollongong, offering an extensive selection of wines in a sophisticated setting.

Which bars in Wollongong offer food? Many bars in Wollongong offer food, including The Icon and ilu ilu, Scoundrel’s Rest. These venues provide delicious menus that complement their drink selections.

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About the Author: Lisa Hagan
Lisa is a local mom who grew up in Thirroul. She travels, samples awesome venues locally, writes her blog, and homeschools her children. She is also a creative therapist who uses breathwork, movement, and creative arts therapies to help people work through grief and anxiety while finding calm and purpose in this busy world. Lisa’s blog site is here.