Nightlife · Hobart · Australia
Hobart nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Hobart, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cliffano Subagio, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Hobart's nightlife is about pubs, wine and whisky bars, live music and festival nights rather than clubs. Salamanca and North Hobart are the main areas, and things quieten early outside weekends. The main areas are Salamanca Place, North Hobart and Waterfront.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- North Hobart
- Local drink
- Tasmanian whisky
Where to go out
Salamanca Place
Pubs and wine bars in the sandstone warehouses, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
North Hobart
The Republic Bar for live music, the State Cinema's rooftop bar and late-ish restaurants on Elizabeth Street.
Waterfront
Whisky bars, hotel bars and brewery taprooms around the docks and Hunter Street.
Nightlife tips
- During Dark Mofo in June, late-night venues and bars run special programmes.
- Book a taxi or rideshare in advance for late nights; supply can be tight after midnight.
Evening sights
Historic site · Salamanca
Salamanca Place
Walk through the arched lanes into the Salamanca Arts Centre courtyard, which most visitors miss.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Architecture · Waterfront and CBD
Theatre Royal
Check the programme before you travel; even a modest touring show is worth it for the historic interior.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with a show
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to drink
- Tasmanian whisky — Tasmania's single-malt revival began in Hobart in the 1990s, and local distilleries now produce award-winning whiskies, as well as gins using native pepperberry.
- Cool-climate wine — The Coal River Valley near Richmond and the Derwent and Huon valleys produce pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and sparkling wine.
- Apples and cider — Tasmania's 'Apple Isle' nickname comes from the Huon Valley orchards, which now supply a crop of craft ciders alongside fresh fruit.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. January has the warmest evenings, with lows around 12°C (54°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 20:49 | 12°C (54°F) | 8 |
| April | About 17:38 | 9°C (48°F) | 9 |
| July | About 16:56 | 4°C (39°F) | 11 |
| October | About 19:33 | 8°C (46°F) | 12 |
Getting home late
- Walking — The CBD, waterfront, Salamanca and Battery Point are all within about 15 minutes' walk of each other; expect steep streets around Battery Point.
- Bus — Services thin out in the evening and on Sundays; check the timetable before relying on a late bus.
- Ferry — The MONA ferry runs from Brooke Street Pier to the museum, and a commuter ferry links the city with Bellerive on the Eastern Shore.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and local taxis operate in Hobart and are useful for the airport and evenings out.
Late-night bites
- Scallop pie — Bakeries across Hobart and Battery Point, and roadside bakeries on the way to Richmond and Port Arthur.
- Fish and chips — The floating fish punts at Constitution and Victoria Docks.
- Leatherwood honey — Salamanca Market and Farm Gate Market stalls, and providores around the city.
Staying safe at night
Hobart is generally a low-stress city for visitors. The main risks are outdoors: sudden weather changes on kunanyi and walking tracks, cold water at the beaches and wildlife on rural roads after dark. Strong UV means sunburn happens quickly even on cool days.
- Emergency number
- 000 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, budget and solo travellers
North Hobart
The stretch of Elizabeth Street known locally as the Restaurant Strip has Thai, Indian, Italian and modern Australian restaurants side by side, plus the State Cinema with its rooftop bar and the Republic Bar for live music. It is about 1.5 km from the waterfront, an easy walk or short bus ride.
- Good
- Good-value dining; Local, lived-in feel; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Few hotels, mostly apartments and guesthouses; Uphill walk back from the waterfront
- Nearby
- State Cinema, Elizabeth Street restaurants, North Hobart Oval
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Hobart?
Salamanca Place, North Hobart and Waterfront. Pubs and wine bars in the sandstone warehouses, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
+Which area of Hobart is best for nightlife?
North Hobart: A strip of restaurants, pubs and an art-house cinema on Elizabeth Street.