Sunny? Time for a cocktail. Raining? Time for a cocktail. Celebrating? Catching up with mates? Going on a date? …cocktails. Lucky for you there are so many great places on the Great Ocean Road Each spot boasts its unique charm, making your journey along the coast a memorable one. Here are eight fantastic places (in no particular order) to start your cocktail adventure.
Experience fine dining a stone’s throw from the Anglesea River. The Coast celebrates local artisans and producers, offering classic cocktails and signature creations using regional ingredients like Great Ocean Road Gin, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, and Bells Beach Spirits Co.
Reminiscent of a lavish house party, Frolic Lane offers a unique experience among cocktail bars in Warrnambool with its velvet upholstered furniture and library-inspired side rooms. Choose from their extensive menu including the classic Gin Blossom, a century-old Negroni recipe, or the outdoor-favourite Frolic Sour, perfect for any weather.
Feel the spirit of Apollo Bay at the Apollo Bay Distillery, just a stone’s throw from the beach. Enjoy plenty of sunny spots or cosy interiors with views, savouring one of their unique cocktails with their handcrafted exotic gins distilled on-site using local botanicals or a gin tasting and don’t miss the Apollo Crush, a local favourite.
A visit to Port Fairy isn’t complete without stopping by Merrijig Inn. This place combines old-town charm with a quirky twist and features a stellar garden bar. Enjoy their selection of classic and bespoke cocktails, always served with a welcoming smile.
For great food and cocktails in Torquay, Bob Sugar is perhaps the best option on the Esplanade. As well as their Bob Sugar x Great Ocean Road Gin collab, they offer an array of cocktail choices including the Bangkok Mojito, Bob Zombie, and Raspberry & Basil Boom Boom. They also serve delightful mocktails for designated drivers.
This casual, relaxed, and fun take on the traditional cocktail and tapas bar experience has a broad menu of tapas and share plates with something for everyone and cocktails to match. Choose from over 10 different martinis, all your favourites, or a selection of Tiki options at The Hairy Goat Tapas and Cocktail Bar.
Highline Nightclub, another fantastic option for cocktails in Warrnambool, is a stylish brick-walled lounge featuring comfortable booths and a diverse selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. The venue boasts a rooftop beer garden with live music on weekends, multiple dance floors, and quiet nooks, so there’s something for everyone in this neon-lit nightclub.
Dive into the vibrant nightlife of the Great Ocean Road. From cosy tapas bars to buzzing nightclubs, there’s something for every cocktail drinker. If these bars aren’t for you, be sure to check out the many other exciting eating and dining venues and make the most of your next trip.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
