Grace Darling Hotel, COLLINGWOOD, VIC

Venturing through the front entrance, the open candlelit bar immediately welcomes patrons as the central focal point of the downstairs public bar. Boasting 12 locally crafted draught brews, a refined whisky & seasonal cocktail selection, and an exclusively Victorian boutique wine list, the carefully selected beverages emphasise quality offering a drop to match every mood.

Beyond the bar lies a cosy den covered in gilded galleon-themed wallpaper, where worn chesterfields surrounding open fireplaces and large communal tables provide both intimate nooks and casual group ambience.

On balmy afternoons, the daily happy hour from 4-7PM makes the sidewalk beer garden prime people-watching real estate, and local DJs on Friday and Saturday nights transform the atmosphere into a heaving melting pot of suits, musicians and local characters alike.