What’s on in Wollongong’s local guide to Bars, Pubs and Clubs for Amazing Cocktails. Let us shortcut you to our best cocktails and cocktail happy hours in Wollongong & the Illawarra. Celebrate, unwind and reconnect. Get your mates on board and sample our region’s finest cocktails – we loved researching this article!
You may also like our Best Happy Hour deals in Wollongong and the Illawarra area.
Cocktails – Sage Hotel Wollongong
Coldwater Creek Restaurant & Bar is Sage Hotel Wollongong’s buzzing lobby restaurant for beer, wine and cocktails. They have daily happy hours and food specials available on the menu too.
Happy Hour at Coldwater Creek Restaurant 5-6pm, Monday to Sunday with Signature Cocktails: $15
Cocktails – Restaurant Santino
The Restaurant Santino has an impressive range of cocktails on offer. They are known for their exceptional service, food and drinks. Their Margarita is a popular hit with the locals. A night at Restaurant Santino won’t disappoint.
Cocktails – The Icon, Wollongong
Discover The Icon – Wollongong’s Best Bar, Cafe and Restaurant for DJs, Dining, Cocktails and Functions. Located in the heart of Wollongong, The Icon is the perfect spot to kickstart your weekend with drinks, delicious food, and tunes in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Happy hour is every Friday & Saturday from 3pm – 7pm: $6 tap beers and wines as well as $10 cocktail specials – PLUS- every Thursday all Cocktails are $10! Choose any of your favourite classics or one of their amazing creations on their extensive cocktail menu.
Cocktails – Wests Illawarra
Wests Illawarra has a signature cocktail menu to start your night off right; choose from a selection that includes (but isn’t limited to) Aperol Spritz or a Malibu Breeze. While there, make a night of it and have dinner or take in the band for the evening in The Lounge.
Cocktails – Balgownie Hotel
The Bally Hotel is “comin’ in hot” with cocktails this party season and has a bunch to choose from, like the Mai Tai, Cucumber Gimblet, Cosmopolitans, and many more. Enjoy your evening or afternoon with a view at the brilliant Balgownie Hotel. It has a great atmosphere, a fab pub garden and delicious food to go with it.
Cocktails – Steamers Bar & Grill
Steamers Bar & Grill for when you want the finest cocktails with stunning ocean views. They also have gift cards for a friend or family member who you might not know what to buy for, and they offer a great night out for drinks and dinner. They have a five-star restaurant and an array of cocktails to choose from.
Cocktails – The Shellharbour Club
The Lounge Bar at The Shellharbour Club, serving up sophistication and classic cocktails, it is your perfect, mid-week spot. Try one of their amazing cocktails today – we know you will love it!
Have you tried their large selection of signature cocktails? Simply head to the Velvet Bar located in the Precinct to discover some of the region’s best mixes!
Cocktails – Lagoon Restaurant
Enjoy the perfect blend of exquisite cocktails and a beachside dining experience at The Lagoon Restaurant. The drinks menu features everything from sparkling champagne cocktails and sophisticated martinis to beloved classics.
PLUS – Friday & Sunday Sunset Sessions at The Lagoon: 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.
Kneading Ruby on Crown Lane is nestled in the heart of Wollongong and part of the town’s cheery dining & cocktail scene.
Kneading ruby is a casual modern take on a pizzeria, featuring rustic dishes & authentic traditional pizzas made with fresh locally sourced produce, designed to share. The food is accompanied by an impressive wine & cocktail selection complimenting the flavours of the menu. Their popular Espresso Martini is always a hit and worth the dinner reservation for!
An exciting, brand new specialty cocktail bar & eatery has landed in Wollongong!
Behind the bar at Scoundrel’s Rest, you’ll find a selection of over 50 rums from around the world, exploring a variety of styles, localities and flavour profiles. These provide the driving force for their cocktail menu, which features tropical classics such as Mojito’s, Piña Colada’s & Mai Tai’s, along with a number of original creations. They offer carefully curated renditions of classic Tiki/Tropical Cocktails and innovative takes on the genre. Check out their cocktails and drinks menu here.
On Tap Cocktails available 7 days a week: $15 Piña Colada’s, Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris and Miami Vices, $12 Moijitos and Dark & Stormy – and all made in house from scratch using quality ingredients.
Picture this…delicious cocktails, unforgettable dishes, live music & marina views — all waiting for you at Georgia Rose – located at the Shellharbour Marina Dining Precinct. A cafe by day, coastal cocktail bar by night, Georgia Rose offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with hand-painted murals and stunning views of the Shellharbour Marina.
PLUS – They are bringing you the perfect lazy Sunday afternoon every week with their Sunday Sunset Sessions, from 3-6pm every week, they will have 2 DJs providing the perfect tunes for a groovy afternoon by the Marina. $10 Cocktails, $10 Beer Pints and $25 Cocktail Jugs. Learn more here.
Cocktails – Dreams on Crown, Wollongong
Dreams on Crown – Restaurant & Bar Wollongong is bringing you the best of food, cocktails and bar culture in one space right in the heart of the Wollongong. Dine, dance and sing the night away with friends & family at Wollongong’s newest restaurant and bar – serving up the dreamiest cocktails and an extensively stocked bar ready to make shake up your favourite!
ilu ilu is an exciting Indian inspired cocktail bar serving Indian tapas, located in the heart of Wollongong!
Their Signature Cocktail List is based around Indian flavours and themes such as exotic fruits, spices and Indians love for whiskey, tea and coffee!
Look out for their fortnightly cocktail specials and food specials that are only available for a limited time and meant to ignite your taste buds. PLUS Happy Hour is Wed – Fri 5pm – 6pm and Sat 2pm – 4pm, with 15% off cocktails + 20% off beer & wine. Bookings essential for lunch and dinner here.
Three Flamingos Espresso Albion Park, offers delicious dining, online event catering, functions & party space + a host of weekly events and specials!
Their cocktail menu is diverse and impressive! Well known for their margaritas, cosmos and long island iced teas + more, they are open 7 days and are licensed from 10am daily. Learn more here.
Located on the eastern side of the Green under the trees at The Tap House (part of the Groundz Precinct in Dapto), you can grab a can or try one of their classic cocktails! The bar also offers non-alcoholic options and freshly brewed coffee for those that are more sensible.
The Eatery serves up mouth-watering schnitzels, burgers, loaded fries, wings, and most importantly kids meals! Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal or a quick snack, we’ve got you covered. Come hungry, leave happy! Don’t forget to sample the flavours of the Gelato Bar open Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-4pm in Summer! Learn more here.
Discover your drink at The Waterfront Tavern (located at the heart of the stunning Shellharbour Marina Dining Precinct), with their wide range of delicious cocktails! Grab your friends for some marina views and find your new favourite cocktail! Try their signature range next time you visit. Whether you’re sipping on a signature cocktail, dining on fresh Australian produce with a postmodern twist, or watching the latest sporting event, catching up with family and friends has never looked so good!
Cocktails – The 19th
Choosing the Nineteenth at the Wollongong Golf Club for your cocktail hour is choosing a beautiful, relaxed atmosphere with a gorgeous view. Enjoy a jug of passionfruit & elderberry mojito, a driver, or any of the other tempting cocktails on their Signature Cocktail menu.
Cocktails- Woonona-Bulli RSL
Woonona-Bulli RSL has a range of cocktails available at the bar from Thursday – Sunday, along with great meals and a family atmosphere; the cocktails are a delicious addition to any evening. Cocktails are only $15 for members and $18 for non-members. There is a great beer garden for enjoying warm or cold evenings (with heaters available) and playgrounds if you bring the kids.
Cocktails – The Iron Yampi
How tempting does this dessert look?! I wish I were eating it right now. The Iron Yampi is part of The Wentworth; they know their spirits and how to pair them with great food. They have a great selection of twelve cocktails, ranging in price but starting at $11.
Cocktails – Centro CBD
Centro CBD has a fantastic menu; they know their stuff, and their cocktail menu doesn’t disappoint. Enjoy some live music and a cocktail. While there, sample some of Centro’s tasty menu and have a fantastic night.
The Fitz is a great cafe in Bulli that turns into a cocktail bar on weekend evenings. They have amazing espresso martinis. But their other cocktails look incredible too. The food here is also really delicious and upstairs under the fairy lights sets a beautiful atmosphere. They even have blankets if you get cold.
Moominn is a Czech Pub with $12 cocktails and $12 burgers on Saturdays. They have bottomless brunches and jazz nights. Check out their website (on the link) for details.
Dagwood is a vibey bar with friendly staff. They have happy hour on weekdays from 4-6 pm, including beer pints at schooner prices, wine at $10/glass, and $13 cocktails. Their margaritas are amazing by the way…
Juniper Wine Bar has yummy cocktails and happy hour on Sundays from 5-6:30 pm, and their cocktails are $12. Juniper Bar is somewhere you will want to return to again and again.
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About the Author: Lisa Hagan
Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. She loves exploring the Illawarra and surrounds.