Summer is here and Hobart’s bar scene has never been hotter. Tassie nightlife hits its peak when the weather is warm and our city offers intimate and quirky watering holes like no other. Here are our top picks for Summer.
Dier Makr
Named after the Led Zeppelin song D’yer Mak’er, Dier Makr is an intimate bistro and wine bar in the CBD celebrating wine produced with minimal intervention from the winemakers. With small to zero amounts of added chemicals, wines are produced with organic and/or biodynamic vinification practices. Sweetly-styled accompanying wine bar ‘Lucinda’ opened in November last year. Dubbed by the bar’s owners as “the prettier sibling” Lucinda is a welcome addition to the city’s bustling boutique bar scene. 121-123 Collins Street, Hobart
Willing Bros. Wine Merchants
In the middle of the North Hobart strip, Willing Bros Wine Merchants is a neighbourhood wine bar with an impressive list of French, Spanish and Italian wines alongside some beloved locals. Hungry drinkers will love small plates such as pork and fennel meatballs, duck ragout and pan-seared calamari. While there’s always a late afternoon buzz at Willing Bros, you’ll still find a quiet moment to perch yourself at the end of the bar and watch the chefs at work. 390 Elizabeth St, North Hobart
Society Salamanca
This cocktail, gin and whisky bar sources locally and from around the world. The popular Salamanca nook boasts Hobart’s largest spirit library. Gin lovers are treated to gin tasting platters with a splash of house-made tonic and a garnish to match. Bite-size pintxos start at just $2. Creative cocktails include The PPP with Pisco, pineapple, pomegranate and pink peppercorns, and for chocolate lovers; The Caramello with Tasmanian vodka, milk chocolate liqueur and salted caramel. 22 Montpellier Retreat, Battery Point
Rude Boy
Rude Boy has such a large collection of rum they created a side menu titled ‘Rum Journal’. Fun, colourful and irresistible, Rude Boy is a little Caribbean haven in the CBD with casual and spicy eats. Brazen cocktails include the Poor Tony with Tanqueray, Cocchi Americano, blood orange, lemongrass, rhubarb and anise. Watch out for Thursday’s Bottomless Bubbles between 5pm and 7pm this Summer. 130 Elizabeth St, Hobart
Preachers
When it comes to cosy, this is the spot. Grab a seat on the couch inside the bar. If you like things quirky, head outside and take a seat on the bus. Preachers – a former preacher’s home in Battery Point – brings quality quirkiness with a bus parked in the beer garden alongside its mix-and-match retro furniture. A generous list of craft beers from around Australia are on tap along with a range of ciders and wines. Preachers is a popular twilight destination in Salamanca in the Summer months. You can even take your dog and follow along @pooches_of_preachers on Instagram. 5 Knopwood Street, Battery Point