Guide
How to choose a bar or club for your night out
A simple method for picking the right venue in an Australian city: start with the occasion and the group, understand the main venue types (pubs, wine bars, cocktail bars, lounge bars, small bars, nightclubs), check door policies, bookings and cover charges, and plan a route through a precinct.
Published
The easiest way to choose a bar or club is to start with the occasion and your group, then pick the venue type that suits it, then check the practical details: opening hours, door policy, dress code, bookings and cover charges. Finally, plan a short route through one precinct rather than crossing the city between venues.
This guide explains each step. It is part of our Australian nightlife guide. We do not publish paid rankings; always check details with the venue.
Step 1: start with the occasion
Ask a few questions before you search:
- What is the occasion? A date, a catch-up, a birthday, a work drink, a big night of dancing.
- Who is coming? Group size, ages, accessibility needs, whether everyone drinks.
- What is the budget? Cocktail bars and clubs with cover charges cost more than a pub.
- How late? Bars often close earlier than clubs.
- Talk or dance? This single question usually decides the venue type.
Step 2: understand the venue types
| Venue type | Best for | Things to know | Our page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub | Casual drinks, groups, sport, food | Relaxed dress, often family-friendly earlier | Pubs |
| Wine bar | Conversation, dates, food | Quieter; often small plates | Wine bars |
| Cocktail bar | Special occasions, dates | May take bookings; table service | Cocktail bars |
| Lounge bar | Relaxed groups, pre-club drinks | Comfortable seating; may have dress codes | Lounge bars |
| Small bar | Intimate nights | Limited capacity; queues at peak times | City hubs |
| Nightclub | Dancing, DJs, late nights | Cover charges, dress codes, strict ID checks | Nightclubs |
For cocktail bar etiquette, read cocktail bar etiquette.
Step 3: check the practical details
- Opening hours. Check the venue's own website or social channels; listings can be out of date.
- ID. You must be 18 or over, and venues decide what ID they accept within state rules. See ID and entry.
- Dress code. Especially for clubs and upmarket bars. See nightclub dress codes.
- Cover charges and last entry. See cover charges and last drinks.
- Bookings. Popular bars may take bookings, especially for groups.
- Accessibility. Ask about steps, lifts and accessible toilets.
- Food. If you will be drinking, choose a venue that serves food or eat first.
Liquor laws and trading hours differ between states and can change. State regulators such as Liquor & Gaming NSW, Victoria's VGCCC and the Queensland Government publish the rules.
Step 4: plan a route through one precinct
Nightlife clusters by precinct, so plan two or three venues within walking distance. A classic shape:
- Early: dinner or a pub or wine bar.
- Middle: a cocktail or lounge bar.
- Late: a club or live music venue, if that is the plan.
Our precinct articles help: Fortitude Valley, Northbridge, Fitzroy, Adelaide CBD, Salamanca and Civic.
Reading venue profiles
Our city hubs list venue profiles with addresses and background. Venues change, close and rebrand, so treat a listing as a starting point and confirm on the venue's own channels before you go. If a profile is out of date, please tell us.
Matching venues to common occasions
| Occasion | Try |
|---|---|
| First date | Wine bar or cocktail bar with seating |
| Catch-up with friends | Pub or lounge bar |
| Birthday | Booked area at a bar, then a club if you want to dance |
| Work drinks | Pub or bar with a function space |
| Big night of dancing | Nightclub in a busy precinct |
| Visitors' first night | A precinct walk with two or three venues |
For bigger groups, read our group night out planning guide.
Red flags
- Overcrowding or blocked exits
- Staff serving obviously intoxicated people
- Unclear prices or pressure to buy bottle service
- Aggressive security or patrons
If a venue feels unsafe, leave with your friends. Our nightlife safety guide explains how to get help.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a bar and a nightclub?
Bars focus on drinks and conversation, often with background music and earlier closing times. Nightclubs focus on dancing, with DJs, louder sound, later hours, and often cover charges and stricter door policies.
What is a small bar?
Small bars are intimate venues with limited capacity, often in laneways or upstairs spaces, focused on cocktails, wine or spirits. Licensing categories differ by state.
Do I need to book a bar?
Many bars work on a walk-in basis, but popular cocktail bars and venues on Friday and Saturday nights may take bookings, especially for groups. Check the venue's website.
How do I find out if a venue is still open?
Check the venue's own website or social media for current hours. Venues change and close often, and directory listings may lag behind.