Four distinct seasons and a top-notch list of things to do make this one of Australiaâs most liveable cities AND enjoyable destinations. Since good cheer and outstanding food are never in short supply, we think you might be interested in the very best bars in Launceston right now. Have a look and see which one youâll visit first.
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The cosy character with the friendliest bartenders in town
Dip into this intimate hideaway for what many believe to be the best range of Tasmanian whisky and gin in Launceston. Youâll be in good company with locals who declare the Kingsway their favourite bar to hang out in for great conversation, live entertainment on the weekend and brilliant cocktails. The live gigs run the gamut from the Ukulele Scotsman to slam poetry; you just never know what youâll find inside. Jazz music mixes well with soft festoon lighting overhead, and the bartenders can recommend something smoky to fit the mood. On rainy days, you might also be able to catch a movie here, too. If youâre looking for something nice, but not over the top, this is going to be your kind of place.
The brilliant boutique Tassie spirits bar
Donât you adore the feel of a heavy-cut glass tumbler with something magical inside? Youâll love it here. With a sole focus on supporting Tassie-produced spirits, the Barrel Collective is more than just a bar. Pop in for a bit of an education, with servers who can speak with authority about the finer points of your drink of choice â or recommend a new one. Expand your horizons and leave your comfort zone by joining a masterclass to up your game, from single malt whisky to gin sour cocktails and everything in between. Tasting nights are hugely popular with curated selections that make it easy to sample something completely new without the commitment of a full pour. Check out the Facebook page for happy hour information from 5-7 pm on weeknights.
The localâs favourite for beer and burgers
Belly on up to the bar and make the most of the 17 taps that feature a tasty range of international, Australian and Tasmanian beers â including gluten-free pours and some seriously ambrosial ginger beer. Saint John Craft Beer Bar is one youâll be telling people about. And If youâre the designated driver? No worries, the alcohol-free alternatives will please your taste buds aplenty. Donât discount the cocktail offerings here, though. Mezcal and tequila sit aside craft gins and whiskeys ready to tickle your fancy, and a mocktail is never a boring second-best. Locals nestle into the cosy nooks and crannies for the thickest, juiciest burgers in Lonnie with crispy-crunchy chips and a playlist that hits the right spot between ambient and enjoyable.
The clever wine bar with sensational small plates
Think of this beauty as the new kid on the block. Stalled by Covid, Havilah is now ready to serve you in its serenely stylish space. Clean lines and a practical-chic palette of calming creams, tan leather banquettes and local timber envelop guests in warmth and a bit of subtle glam. Havilah features its own branded wines (per the website, âeverything that isnât Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling⊠fun stuff, fizzy stuff, orange stuffâŠâ) and those from Two Tonne Tasmania (TTT). In a less-structured food and wine setting, patrons can enjoy elegant charcuterie boards and bites, as well as produce-rich mains presented with a flourish. We hear the sticky toffee pudding with a side of malt ice cream is a life changer. As to which wine pairs best with that, youâll have to decide for yourself.
The small bar with delightful food options
This warm and friendly stand-out is welcoming of larger parties and groups of two, or even one. European-inspired and detail-oriented though completely unpretentious, Bar Two would be as much at home in a big city as it is in laid-back Launceston. Itâs a masterpiece of hospitality. We love the neighbourly vibe here, nothing is too much trouble, and the specials reflect the best of whatâs fresh and in season. We canât go past a dozen oysters and a bottle of bubbles to start, but itâs almost impossible not to order a pizza, too. With great music and efficient service, you can linger as you wish, or eat and go. If youâre stumped, ask the owner for a recommendation. The local Negroni is a high-flier, and youâll be surprised at the range of lush Tassie Shiraz. Stop in for a quick one; stay for longer than you thought.
The lively extrovert where the partyâs always poppinâ, and vegans rejoice
Quaint and moody with a side of industrial dash, Bakers Lane is the place to fuel up that includes everyone. Plant-based diners will welcome the variety of veggo-friendly menu items both in terms of food and drinks (Iâm looking at you vegan espresso martini.) Carnivores wonât be disappointed either, with a slow-roasted pork shoulder slathered in whisky sauce, cole slaw and apple peach piccalilli. Swing by for the eveningâs kick-off or make an entire evening of it. Live music and late nights make this a popular spot any night of the week, and the dance floor is just the spot to appreciate the tunes. Smack in the midst of the CBD and with prices that won't empty your bank account, this cheap and cheerful has a lot going for it.
The swish riverside local vino specialist
Thereâs not much better than a perfectly paired meal and matched vino, and at Stillwater, thatâs exactly what youâll find. Bliss out over a location on the edge of the Cataract Gorge in an 1830âs flour mill that overlooks the Tamar River. Contemporary conveniences and historical nuance combine for one of the best fine food and wine experiences youâll find in Launceston, bar none. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we say itâs never too early for a fresh mimosa or delicate Bellini, or too late for a nightcap. Stillwaterâs ethos is fresh, local, free-range and hormone-free, and as evidenced by the myriad awards it has won, theyâre doing something quite right here. See for yourself.
The Mediterranean beauty with the 26-page drinks menu
Theyâve saved a spot for you at the bar. Pop in for nibbles and drinks and work your way up to dinner at Geronimo Aperitivo Bar and Restaurant. Plates are generous, and the food reflects whatâs in season. The wait staff knows their stuff, and they wonât hurry you along. We like the sharing aspect of the menu because that way everybody gets to try more, and with a 26(!) page drinks menu, you can be daring with the drinks if you wish. There is a fair amount of wine available by the glass in the event everyone canât agree on a bottle, as well as beers and ciders, signature cocktails, classics and a full page of inventive mocktails. Happy hour from 3-6 pm daily is a good bet with half-sized cocktails for $10. On pretty days, enjoy sidewalk dining under blue skies.
The community-focussed go-er for the cheapest drinks in the CBD
Looking for a bit of entertainment? Practice your pool, take dead aim with your dart and sink that snooker ball at the Launceston Workers. This is easily the bar that you could make a day out of with something always happening, and friendly regulars pulling you in for a yarn. Boasting the cheapest drinks in town, and an easy-to-get-to central Launceston location, youâre well placed for walking, and itâs easy to grab a cab should you need one. Some might scoff at the â70s paint job, but we say it adds some personality and sweet vintage vibes to the place. Everyoneâs welcome, and itâs pub food, so you know what to expect. Come as you are.
The beer connoisseur's cultural centre
If youâre a craft beer fan, this is the place you want to park it. Spring for a paddle at Tandyâs Alehouse and savour a sweet selection of Tassie-crafted beers, then switch it up with something local off the spirits and wine menu. Since they donât serve food, your options are a bit more open. If the bar snacks donât do it for you (chips, nuts, jerky) order takeaway from next door at the Curry Club and theyâll bring it to you right at your barstool, howâs that for service? The booths are clubby and chummy, great for a catch-up with mates or for settling in as you plan what to order next. âTap Takeoversâ where local breweries take over the reins give beer-lovers an opportunity to extend their palate. We love the Tandyâs Hefeweizen.
The comfortable pleaser with outdoor seating and a gin-tastic selection
A hand-picked cocktail and gin selection? More than 30 boutique beers from which to choose? Yes, please. Phone a friend and get yourself to Alchemy for what is sure to be a great time at one of Launcestonâs best bars. Book a table in advance to be sure of seating; itâs easily done online at the website or on their Instagram page. Specials are innovative, and youâll likely want more than one, so ordering food is a good idea. Pop in for a Sunday sesh to sample signature pours, which pair well with sticky sesame cauliflower or dukkha lamb ribs. A few of the cocktails weâve liked the sound of recently? The Lavender Malt Sour and the Spicy Blood Orange Collins. Cheers to that.