Because sunset sipping is ALWAYS a good idea…
We tend to be a little partial to starting or finishing the weekend off with a quiet glass of bubbles, chilled local wine or a sneaky brewski.
Add a sublime view, fresh air or some cool al fresco surrounds and you’ve got yourself the perfect spot for a sundowner.
Here’s a list of local spots to kick back, relax and drink in an Illawarra arvo.
Some cracker ocean views, gorgeous interiors and exteriors make this place mighty popular with both locals and visitors alike.
Plonk yourself down and settle in for an afternoon of glorious blue views.
A cute and friendly community-run club with a new alfresco deck for taking in those arvo views. We love club drink prices and we love this spot for sundowners.
More commonly referred to as TBH, the beer garden here is pretty darn big with plenty of space to spread out and soak in the sun.
There’s also a fab playground if you’ve got kiddos in tow.
The rooftop at The Fitz gives off real inner-city Melbourne vibes and is such a cool spot for an arvo cocktail or three.
We’re suckers for their Bush Bloody Mary as a cure for those Sunday blues too.
Another great spot for ocean views and it’s right in the heart of Wollongong. With loads of beers on tap and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s a great place to stop for a post-lunch or pre-dinner drink in town.
This club has some fantastic lake views and if you perch yourself right by the window you might even feel like you’re floating on the lake itself.
Tap House at the Groundz Precinct
On a sunny afternoon, we’re massive fans of this roomy and green outdoor area. On not so sunny days we like to head inside to the toasty Poultry Shed whisky bar attached. Either way, a weekend arvo here is our cup of tea… or wine.
This spot in Shellharbour Village has a wonderful balcony overlooking the street to park up for the afternoon and watch local life go by. We might as well grab a cocktail and pizza while we’re at it. Go on!
A friendly club with fab drinks specials and a lovely outdoor area overlooking the lake’s entrance to the sea. What more could you ask for?
Known as a top place to be on a Sunday arvo for locals, North Gong has a MASSIVE beer garden and a mighty tasty bistro to boot. There are also pretty regular tunes in the beer garden on weekends so you can enjoy the sunset with a serenade.
Overlooking the gorge Shell Cove Marina, we love scoring a window seat here and sipping a cheeky bevvie as afternoon turns to evening. There’s also a pretty nice bistro here if you plan to stay on for dins.
Cafe by day, gorgeous bar and restaurant by [Thurs – Sat] night. We love sipping on something tasty whilst overlooking Kiama Harbour. Especially when the sun starts to set, painting the ocean with those stunning sunset colours.
This popular drinking hole has been going since 1857 and is a strong part of the Jamberoo community. It’s also got a charming beer garden to spend an afternoon drinking and chatting in… especially if you’re lucky enough to come one day when there’s some live music playing.
Seat yourself on the veranda and watch Berry life go by at this fun pub. Right now, they’ve got live music from 3 – 5pm every Sunday, even more of a good reason to visit.
This pub in Calderwood gives off a real ‘sit back and relax’ vibe. It has a nice outdoor eating area overlooking the park and stream, a playground for the littlies and live music on Saturday evenings.
