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The Northern Territory’s best pubs and clubs: numbers 20-11

EVER wondered whether your favourite watering hole would make the list of the best pubs and clubs in the NT? Well now you can find out as the NT News reveals the top picks as chosen by a panel of experts

Poor yourself a Darwin stubby and have a read. Picture: Artwork by Stuart Thornton
Poor yourself a Darwin stubby and have a read. Picture: Artwork by Stuart Thornton

IT’S finally here, a definitive list of the top 20 pubs and clubs around the Northern Territory.

We sent some experts taste-testing the Territory’s watering holes.

Here’s what they had to say:

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20. The Landmark

Brother's Michael Coleman, Tony Coleman and Justin Coleman at The Landmark
Brother's Michael Coleman, Tony Coleman and Justin Coleman at The Landmark

One of Palmerston’s newest pubs, The Landmark has made its mark on Darwin’s night-life scene.

From the nightclub and sports bar to the family friendly restaurant, there’s something for every age group.

The drinks are cheap and the food’s reasonable — The Landmark really gives Palmerston its own nightspot.

19. Humpty Doo Hotel

Melissa Leach shows off a big set of horns at the Humpty Doo Hotel
Melissa Leach shows off a big set of horns at the Humpty Doo Hotel

A world famous Territory landmark, the Humpty Doo Hotel has been mentioned in a few songs.

There are the world’s biggest set of water buffalo horns above the bar, beer drinking competitions, and horses in the front bar.

The open hotel can get warm in the wet season but that doesn’t stop locals and tourists alike munching on some of the biggest parmigianas they’ve ever seen. And it can be easily hosed out.

18. Shenannigans

Shenannigans manager Ruth Dargan enjoys the fast paced environment of Shags and the daily interaction with locals and visitors. Picture: Justin Kennedy
Shenannigans manager Ruth Dargan enjoys the fast paced environment of Shags and the daily interaction with locals and visitors. Picture: Justin Kennedy

One of the best Irish pubs in town, Shags is a staple on the Mitchell St strip.

Having been open for more than 21 years, this pub is the place to sit back on the terrace with a pint and watch the world go buy.

On St Patrick’s Day, Shags takes over most of Peel St as well and really becomes the place to be in Darwin.

17. Beachfront Hotel

The Beachfront hotel is included in Darwin's best pubs, Jamie Caloyon-Rogers and Alex Harley kick back and enjoy a few beers. PIC KATRINA BRIDGEFORD.
The Beachfront hotel is included in Darwin's best pubs, Jamie Caloyon-Rogers and Alex Harley kick back and enjoy a few beers. PIC KATRINA BRIDGEFORD.

Marketing itself as one of the best spots to watch any sort of competition in the Darwin, the Beachfront Hotel offers something for those in the northern suburbs.

Often the place to be when the State of Origin is on, the Beachy also has some of the best trivia in the Top End.

With the food now run by Smokey Js, it’s a decent feed too. It has come a long way in sophistication from it’s origins of Lim’s Hotel and the infamous “Rage in the Cage” Sundays.

16. Heartbreak Hotel, Borroloola

The only thing better than a cold beer is a cold beer in the middle of nowhere and the Heartbreak Hotel is of Australia’s greatest watering hole oases.

Like many great pubs, it’s on a corner … sort of.

It’s where the Tablelands Hwy meets the Carpentaria Hwy and bloody miles from anywhere — four hours drive from Daly Waters Pub and five hours from the Barkly Homestead Wayside Inn, making for a epic pub, if not very thirsty pub crawl.

It got its name from a few big fight with punters liking to settle argument with fists.

But don’t let that put you off, there are no grudges held.

15. Cox Country Club

Just you and some beers and the serenity at the Cox Country Club at Wagait Beach. Picture: Facebook
Just you and some beers and the serenity at the Cox Country Club at Wagait Beach. Picture: Facebook

There is no more exclusive place than Cox Country Club Wagait Beach.

And by exclusive we mean collected in the finest mini bus and chauffeur driven from the Mandorah jetty to be plonked under an A-frame roof with no walls staffed by volunteers next an ancient Banyan tree and some grass with a beer and time to think about the suckers stuck in the rat race back in Darwin.

It also hosts the world famous Mandorah Ukulele Folk Festival.

14. Hotel Darwin

The beer garden of Hotel Darwin.
The beer garden of Hotel Darwin.

The winner of many Australian Hotels Association awards, the Hotel Darwin is a staple of Darwin.

The iconic pub dates back to 1940 and has had a recent renovation to its beer garden.

With regular food specials each night, the Hotel Darwin also regularly hosts eating competitions.

Lots and lots of screens showing lots and lots of football and racing.

It takes its named from the famed establishment that used to stand behind it tries to tap into the “Raffles of Australia” charm.

13. The Gap View Hotel, Alice Springs

Who wouldn’t want to be a tradie in the bloody hot Red Centre when there’s the Gap View Hotel. Body Hartwell, Zach Davis, and Rock Davis have a drink there.
Who wouldn’t want to be a tradie in the bloody hot Red Centre when there’s the Gap View Hotel. Body Hartwell, Zach Davis, and Rock Davis have a drink there.

Praised by locals as one of the best pubs in Alice Springs, the Gap View Hotel has a newly revamped outside beer garden.

Built in the early 80s, the hotel has seen many different faces including a medieval and Priscilla Queen Of The Desert theme.

Those days are thankfully behind them and now due to renovations the hotel is one of the most modern and innovative pubs in Alice Springs.

Whether you want a decent meal, catch some sport, a live band or just relax with a cold drink, The Gap View Hotel is a great place to go.

12. Darwin River Tavern

The pub formerly known as the Litchfield Hotel, The Darwin River Tavern is a great place to stop for food.
The pub formerly known as the Litchfield Hotel, The Darwin River Tavern is a great place to stop for food.

If you’re keen to stop and get lunch on your way in or out of Litchfield National Park, the Darwin River Tavern is a great place to go.

Formerly known as the Litchfield Pub, this eatery is situated on 120 acres with panoramic views of the tropical surrounds.

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11. Noonamah Tavern

The Noonamah Tavern offers more than just a good pub experience but a real bucking good time.
The Noonamah Tavern offers more than just a good pub experience but a real bucking good time.

There’s more than just good food on offer at the Noonamah Tavern.

Regularly hosting rodeos and close to Darwin, the Noony is always a great place to stop.

There are also plenty of performers often heading out to Noonamah, with some big names popular to locals and tourists alike.

TOMORROW: WE REVEAL THE TERRITORY’S TOP 10 PUBS AND CLUBS

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/the-northern-territorys-best-pubs-and-clubs-numbers-2011/news-story/d89604147b9cf63201406463c6da4d7f