Australia’s live music scene is louder, prouder, and more vibrant than ever – and this year’s finalists for Best Live Music Bar of the Year at the 2025 Australian Bar Awards are proof that the country’s bar culture and music heartbeat are inseparable. From sultry basements to neon-lit stages, these venues aren’t just places to drink – they’re where stories are told, artists are discovered, and nights are remembered.
Pleasure Club, NSW
One of Sydney’s newer contenders, and the winner of the 2025 Australian Bar Awards Best Live Music Bar of the Year. Pleasure Club has built a cult following for its bold programming and immersive atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where the sound is raw, the crowd is electric, and the cocktails are flowing until 4am.
Beneath Driver Lane, VIC
In the depths of Melbourne’s CBD lies Beneath Driver Lane – an underground haven of blues, whisky, and soul. The bar’s signature mix of moody lighting, acoustics, and genuine warmth has made it a cornerstone of the city’s after-dark music culture.
Black Bear Lodge, QLD
Tucked above the bustle of Fortitude Valley, Black Bear Lodge has mastered the balance between vintage charm and indie edge. With its exposed brick, candlelit tables, and stellar live line-up, it remains one of Brisbane’s most beloved small-stage venues.
Brooklyn Standard, QLD
If you’ve been to Brooklyn Standard, you’ll know it’s more than a bar – it’s an experience. Six nights a week, the basement bursts to life with funk, soul, and rock ’n’ roll, attracting both regulars and newcomers who can’t resist its contagious energy.
Hippo, ACT
Overlooking Canberra’s London Circuit, Hippo stands out as a sophisticated jazz and whisky bar where craftsmanship meets artistry. It’s intimate, elegant, and always in tune with the capital’s growing appetite for live, local music.
Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern, NSW
A Sydney icon, Ramblin’ Rascal doesn’t try too hard – it doesn’t need to. With its soulful edge, rowdy energy, and commitment to live performance, it continues to define what great hospitality and great music should feel like.
Lefty’s Music Hall, QLD
Lefty’s is pure, unapologetic fun. Its honky-tonk energy, chandeliers, and boot-stomping live acts make it a fixture on Brisbane’s nightlife map and a favourite among musicians and dinkers alike.
Memphis Slim’s House of Blues, SA
A slice of the Deep South in the heart of Adelaide, Memphis Slim’s captures everything great about live blues. Think candlelight, bourbon, and riffs that linger long after last drinks – a true love letter to the genre.
Palomino Lounge, NSW
Creative, community-driven, and effortlessly cool, Palomino Lounge has become an Inner West favourite for live acts and underground energy. It’s where up-and-coming artists share the stage with local legends, night after night.
The Corner Hotel, VIC
For decades, The Corner has stood as a symbol of Melbourne’s music scene. Hosting everyone from rising locals to international acts, it’s the ultimate bridge between pub culture and professional performance, and it never misses a beat.
The Trocadero Room, NSW
Glamorous, moody, and modern, The Trocadero Room blends vintage cabaret with contemporary flair. Its live jazz sets and theatrical performances have brought something fresh and magnetic to Sydney’s late-night circuit.
This year’s finalists represent more than just great bars – they embody the spirit of the Australian live music scene. Each venue, in its own way, champions creativity, connection, and culture.