New bars nationwide

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This slick, industrial-style booze barn is packed with all the mod-cons of a contemporary pub: flat-screen tellies, plenty of loungy spots and outdoor spaces, extensive tipple and hearty mod-Oz fare. The venue incorporates polished geometric design alongside rustic features.

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Residing in the sprawling double-storey space formerly occupied by the Canary Club, this chic CBD offering has a big bar area downstairs, designed for casual dining and drinking. The specialty is sustainable fish.

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Concealed in a laneway off another laneway, this boutique Darlo wine bar enjoys the same beguilingly clandestine existence of its cunning underworld namesake. With 260 bottles of wine available, this joint is perfect for an after-work vino.

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This chic cocktail bar is the second Melbourne offering to come out of the chic Rockpool Group. Savour a Pecan Sour (Pisco with fresh lemon, maple and pecan milk) alongside a delectable selection of pinchos.

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Located within the sprawling Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club entertainment complex, guests can sit down for an Italian feast or just settle in for some top-notch vino.

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Residing next to a community garden, this once merely adorable inner-city cafe now moonlights as a "japas" bar from Thursday to Sunday. Pick at gorgeous Japanese fusion share plates and imported bevies in a quirky setting.

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This apologetically modern and spacious New York-style bar flawlessly blends old world elegance and contemporary style, with high back booths, chesterfields, a crimson leather bar and eye-catching back-lit clock silhouette. Cocktails are concise but thoughtful.

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Here you can feast on handcrafted pastries and rose-flavoured macaroons with luscious sticky wine, or chip away at a bottle of Italian red while nibbling on a range of rustic spuntini.

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Despite the name roughly translating to "greedy", this hip Paddo joint is all about sharing, and the Italio/Oz menu and wine list is sure to impress already spoilt locals. The funky interiors were spearheaded by the design team behind Newtown's Bloodwood.

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Bringing an added element of cool to the Commercial Road strip, this funky watering hole sports a winning combination of live music, a gorgeous garden roof bar and ever-changing art displays.

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From the brains behind Surry Hills institution Bodega, this Argentinian barbecue and grill is much bigger than its older sibling. A beautiful cocktail bar takes up the entire second level.

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Just above Papa Goose, guests can sink into a plump leather couch and sip on a signature creation, like the Hairy Pear: a blend of Santiago Pisco, Poire William, spiced pear, lime and egg white.

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Bringing a '50s vintage vibe to Enmore's main drag, this funky, Melbourne-style bar projects old-school films on the walls and serves up a range of good-value tipple to hip locals. Get in early to nab a lounge.

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This slick Newcastle venture is both a post-work haunt, a trendy weekend launch pad and a party destination. Check out Sunday Sessions for chilled tunes and cocktails on the deck, or indulge in some of hearty pub-style offerings downstairs.

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Sitting among a cluster of cute cafes and restaurants, this bright and airy eatery achieves a chic beachside feel with a combination of palms, cane furniture and an attractive covered alfresco area. Stop in for a wine tasting.

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With a list of successful Noosa ventures already under his belt, David Rayner's casual riverside eatery and bar upholds his culinary reputation nicely. Sip wine on comfy banquettes or enjoy river views in the terrace area.

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People don't come to this waterfront beauty solely for the alfresco dining - it's an entertainment experience. Cocktails, live acts and prime water views keep the punters partying until late.

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Named after the infamous bear species, this funky American-style drinking hole offers a nice array of wine, beer and cocktails, with a focus on bourbon and rye whiskies.

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With a name like this, expectations will understandably run high. But its centrepiece shiny ancient distillery and a bright and buzzy atmosphere makes it the perfect place to down some vodka concoctions and tasty pintxos.

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The former site of the stylish Mars Lounge and, very briefly, The Black Boater, has finally undergone a transformation we'd like to think is a little more suburb-appropriate: reincarnated as a gritty live-music venue.

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With its eye-catching, fire-engine-red facade and contemporary fit-out, this shiny new hotel on the banks of the Yarra River is no wallflower. Locals' pub meets stylish waterfront darling, with a casual-chic ambience.

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Bringing the Mediterranean to Bondi Beach, this sleek and spacious wine bar boasts a fine selection of drops that span the globe and serves some very tasty Greek nibbles.

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As if you'd expect anything less than five-star opulence from the Sheraton on the Park, oozing contemporary sophistication and with outlooks of lush Hyde Park. Guests can rest their cocktails on the luxe marbled benchtops or unwind on the terrace.

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Previously the Press Club Bar, this exciting addition to the popular restaurant includes an impressive wine cellar of rare varietals and adopts a more intimate approach to wines by the glass. The cracking food menu features Greek-inspired share plates.

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After a bit of a wait, this funky little espresso bar has extended the coffee shop to include a wine and dessert bar for Darlo sippers to haunt.

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This waterfront restaurant and bar is seriously sleek, featuring bright and eclectic Moroccan and Middle-Eastern decor punctuated with distinctly modern touches. Casual, open-air dining settings and funky ottomans will put you at your ease.

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Sipping on premium bevvies and taking in live music isn't a bad way to spend an evening. This opulent supper club offers nibbles until late and four lavish bars to drink in.

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Come on down to this sub-cultural sactuary, where the black-clad, dreadlocked non-conformist crowd will no-doubt be headbanging, toe-tapping and beer chugging their way through a live music set on any given night of the week.

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Maintaining an elegant but casual air, this cosy bar and dining hall offers reasonably priced dishes and share plates, as well as an extensive selection of tipple, sure to please the fastidious North Shore clientele.

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Eastern suburbs sippers can add this chic offering to their list of quality wine saloons. Swing up to the shiny bar and pore over the premium wine list for something luscious.

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Just a stone's throw from the glistening harbour, this contemporary charmer provides a chic setting for the after-work crowd to enjoy a cheeky lunchtime cocktail or post-work pit stop. The industrial makeover will suit corporates perfectly.

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After an exhausting day on the ski slopes, warm your insides with the finest schnapps in the mountains. Inspired by German beer halls, this European restaurant-bar also offers hot food, beer, hand-picked wine and live music.

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This sophisticated venture is Brisbane's answer to the small bar revolution. Serving boutique wine, craft beer, cocktails and absinthe fountains in a cosy eclectic-chic setting, this trendy bar is the new 'it' place to unwind or kick off a night.

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Retro is pulled off superbly at this snug cafe/bar. Good-quality bevvies, encompassing classic cocktails and an attention-grabbing wine list suffice for drinks, which can be accompanied by an item from the simple, but tasty, bar snack menu.

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Our beloved Newtown is maturing, one sophisticated wine bar at a time. Luckily, Sole Espresso doesn't fall into the trap of feighing grunginess, bringing its own style to the King Street strip. The only downside is its early closing hours.

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With a striking tiled bar, orange stools, white brick, matt wooden floors and contempory lighting, this back-alley bar sports a sleek industrial vibe. Dare to consume the Don the Beachcombers Zombie cocktail, a fruity concoction with four types of rum.

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Candlabras, art nouveau-style patterns, banquettes, African ornaments and a striking black and pink colour scheme make up this vibrant and uber contemporary setting, where guests can experience modern cuisine with an African twist and refreshing classic cocktails.

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It's got everything a successful Italian cucina and entoca should have: a snug laneway locale, gorgeous contemporary Italian share plates in not-so-shabby portions, and lots of vino (available in 75ml glasses for your tasting pleasure).

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Gourmand's will love this cafe-bar, from the creative mod-Oz dishes to the deli delights and vast collection of vino. A wine tasting machine allows guests to sample the drops on offer in the chic warehouse-style surrounds.

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From the brains behind The Troubadour, this dim-lit cosy little Ashgrove dwelling is like a slice of Melbourne in the Sunshine State. Sit back, relax to the sounds of old records and try their signature Junk Bar Cherry cocktail.

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Part cafe, part wine bar, this eclectic, Fitzroy-esque booze haven is heavy on the 'strange'-factor - from the music and furniture to the drinks. It serves boutique beers and a huge range of cocktails, and locals are well looked after.

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At the end of colourful AC/DC Lane lies this sensual and mysterious drinking den. Essentially an urban interative arts hub, this opulent venue serves sensational world-class cocktails and often hosts burlesque performances.

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The coffee king of South Melbourne has just added 'small bar' to its impressive repertoire. Now opening evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, St Ali allows the indie set to enjoy a select range of cocktails, wine, beer and delicious sticky.

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This groundbreaking beer barn invites guests to broaden their beer repertoire through the impressive catalogue of boutique brews on offer. Exclusive new 'beervault' technology means they can put any beer on tap.

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Pyrmont really is the perfect suburb for a bar revolution, and if this petite cafe/bar is anything to go off, then the uprising is already well underway. Wine and beer is the tipple of choice here.

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Unwind to some jazz and nurse a liquid treat; cocktails are the specialty at this intimate venue. Sample a delectable signature concoction such as the rich Coco-A-Go-Go, made up of cabernet vodka, berry gin, dark chocolate, fig jam and espresso.

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This franchise boasts some of the best cuts of steak in the country and an award-winning wine list to match. You'll be spoilt for choice with a staggering 350 wines on offer, including over 50 wines by the glass.

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Emulating the popular small bars of Brazil, this cosy hole-in-the-wall saloon injects the flavours of South America into their delectable cocktails, wines and tapas dishes. Be sure to sample a Caipirinhas - Brazil's national drink.