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Every bar you need to visit in Hobart, Australia’s quirkiest capital

This expert bar-hopper has the lowdown on where to find the best bar stools, his new favourite pub in Hobart, and other top Tassie drinking holes.

Okay, I begin this missive with some good news, some bad news and a confession. It’s like a proper sermon from on high. Or, more truthfully, a sermon from Hobart, Australia’s quirkiest capital and home of the best-named sports franchise in Australia – the Jack Jumpers NBL team.

The good news is that I like Hobart a lot and will likely spend more than a bit more time here over the next few years as I’ve taken a bit-part role with the island’s OG whisky business Lark, named after the godfather of Australian whisky, Bill Lark, and his equally talented and awesome wife, Lyn.

I need to get the obvious potential for me being hopelessly biased out of the way so I’ll admit that I love Lark. Working with them is a bit of a professional dream come true and their whiskies are awesome. If you don’t believe me maybe just Google “Lark whisky awards” and see for yourself the thoughts of respected judges rather than compromised columnists.

Lark has not one, not two, but three places to drink in the heart and the fringes of Hobart. And they’re all great. Go visit them and spend heaps – and tell them Stu sent you.

Lark Distillery in Pontville, just outside Hobart.
Lark Distillery in Pontville, just outside Hobart.

Now that’s out of the way let’s get to the rest of Hobart and environs. I said there was bad news, and that is that my favourite pub in Hobart, Tom McHugo’s, has recently closed and been taken over by a youth hostel. Sad days indeed.

But the good news is I’ve found a new favourite, the New Sydney Hotel in Midtown (who know Hobart had a Midtown? I swear someone told me the New Syd was in Midtown). The New Syd is not especially “new” having been established on Bathurst Street in 1835. It calls itself a Tassie pub with an Irish soul and I ain’t got no problem with either of those things. Best Guinness in Tassie – no contest. Great pub food, music and DJs on the weekend, a laneway beer garden-type thing out the back and the second comfiest bar stools on which my corpulent behind has ever rested.

The New Sydney Hotel. Picture: Chris Kidd
The New Sydney Hotel. Picture: Chris Kidd

I know what you’re thinking – where are the comfiest bar stools? I bet you didn’t think the answer was going to be Downtown Hobart. They are in fact at Mary Mary, a very upscale cocktail bar nestled in a corner of the newish and very fancy Tasman hotel.

Padded bar stools at Mary Mary in Hobart's Tasman Hotel.
Padded bar stools at Mary Mary in Hobart's Tasman Hotel.

They have fitted this one out an absolute beaut and this bar would not look out of place at any upscale hotel in Australia – in fact, it is better than almost all of them. And the drinks are damn straight great. I had a fantastic Gimlet and Martini there while resting on the generous, well-padded bar stools. I have sat on many bar stools and these are the best ever. The luxuriously padded bar front edge on which to rest the elbows is also a quite magical touch. Kudos to whoever designed this bar with the creature comforts of drinkers so clearly in mind.

And while you’re frolicking downtown at The Tasman, do not miss out on dinner at Peppina next door – it’s an absolute belter. Again, this is world-class food, wine and service in a stunning room. I know we shouldn’t be surprised or risk sounding patronising, but by jingo you get some good food and drink here.

Cocktails and snacks at Rude Boy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones
Cocktails and snacks at Rude Boy. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Back up to Midtown is where we find Hobart’s best little independent cocktail bar, Rude Boy, which is a bit of a misnomer – I encountered absolutely the most charming couple of bartenders while I was there for a quick Daquiri recently.

Rude Boy is essentially a rum bar that can do other things. One of those other things is very good spice rub Caribbean-style chicken wings. You will get filthy eating them, but they will be worth it. If you know me, you know I love my wings and these are great wings.

Pooley Wines in Richmond in Tasmania's Coal River Valley.
Pooley Wines in Richmond in Tasmania's Coal River Valley.

Of course, you can’t or shouldn’t visit Hobart and not spend at least an afternoon on the wine-tasting trail in the Coal River Valley, not more than 25 minutes’ drive from Downtown Hobart (or 26 from either Midtown or Uptown).

One of the most exciting wineries in all of Australia is Pooley Wines and they have a gorgeous cellar door down the road from the must-visit Richmond Bridge. The Pooley wines are all great but make special space for the rieslings and incredible pinot noirs.

Close to my favourite wine in Australia (when I can afford it – so after the Escape pay-cheque comes in) is Tolpuddle, which has a brand-new tasting room opening early December on the road just up from Pooley (and Frogmore Creek, which is also excellent). The Shaw + Smith team are behind Tolpuddle so you just know it will be all class and the wines are superb.

McHenry Distillery. Picture: Tourism Tasmania
McHenry Distillery. Picture: Tourism Tasmania

And of course Tassie is becoming whisky, whisky, whisky – so don’t miss out on the impeccable whiskies at Sullivans Cove (not far from the airport) or the brilliant spirits of all shapes and sizes at McHenry if you’re heading down to Port Arthur.

Hobart has a lot going on right now. Sure, it sounds like the government might be going broke, the Spirt of Tasmania doesn’t fit at the wharf and the new footy stadium will ensure no new roads or hospitals for a century but the drinking is good.

See you there real soon – I will be perched at the comfy stools at the bar.

Originally published as Every bar you need to visit in Hobart, Australia’s quirkiest capital

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/every-bar-you-need-to-visit-in-hobart-australias-quirkiest-capital/news-story/12c3057b2cf87d5b2a61c22e1f635089