The Best Bar in Hobart, Tasmania

Background Illustration for Nightlife

Although Hobart has the only true nightlife scene in Tasmania, it's extremely tame compared to what's in Melbourne and Sydney. There are few dance clubs, and evenings out tend to revolve around a bottle of excellent local wine. Consult the Friday or Saturday editions of the Mercury newspaper before heading out. This Week in Tasmania, available at most hotels, is a comprehensive guide to current stage performances and contemporary music concerts.

Sonny

City Center Fodor's Choice

You could come to the diminutive Sonny for the simple and delicious snacks, which are chalked up on the blackboard every day. Or you could swing by for the drinks; there's always something small-scale and low-intervention on the pour, sourced from all over the globe. But the true Sonny fan knows it's all about those pristine speakers, made by local artisans Pitt and Giblin. They might be playing a little Rolling Stones one minute, Prince the next, and all on a system that will make you put your drink down and marvel at the purity of the sound. Sonny is tiny—only 20 seats—and it's walk-ins only so you have to be lucky to snag a spot, but it's worth the effort every time.