The small town of Margaret River is punching above its weight with an eclectic mix of bars, restaurants and taverns.
This small town is renowned for the premium wine, beer and spirits it produces and what better way to enjoy them than by wandering up and down the main street on a self-guided bar-hop?
Leave the car behind and set off on foot starting from the bottom of Margaret River town and making your way up.
Starting at the bottom of town, begin your hop amongst the towering Karri trees at the Margaret River Distilling Co. Choose your adventure and select from MRDC’s award-winning Giniversity gin or Limeburners whisk(e)y ranges. First, taste your chosen spirit neat before adding soda, tonic or distilled water to taste the evolving flavours and if you choose to go down the gin avenue, end with a garnish and enjoy it all together. Just want to get straight to the cocktails? You won’t be left disappointed with MRDC’s cocktail list showcasing their spirits.
Head across the road to Margaret River Brewhouse and dive into their range of locally brewed beers. The team at the Brewhouse regularly changes up their tap lineup with small batch ‘Unearthed’ beer releases weekly while keeping their core range everyone knows and loves flowing all year long. Loved amongst locals for their delicious food menu, watch Brewhouse’s chefs flex their creativity with midweek and weekend specials, using fresh seasonal local produce. Kick back on the sprawling deck and catch live music on the deck every Friday and Sunday afternoon from 4.30 pm.
As you start you make your way into the hussle of town you’ll find Swings & Roundabouts’ Margaret River roots. Enjoy Swings & Roundabouts’ flagship wines on tap as well as access to their premium Backyard Stories label and a carefully curated range of craft beers and WA spirits. The best bit? Purchase takeaway wines at Cellar Door prices and enjoy them at home. Head to Swings between 3 and 5 pm and enjoy one of their famous woodfire pizzas and half a Swings Wine Carafe for just $30.
A must-stop for the wine connoisseur right in the heart of town, Settlers Tavern or ‘The Tav’ boasts an extraordinary wine line featuring over 600 wines. Affectionately referred to as ‘The Bible’, Settlers’ wine list features wines from Margaret River, around Australia and internationally but don’t just take our word for it. Settlers has been crowned the Best Country Restaurant Wine List at Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards for the second year in a row. A hotspot for live music, be sure to check out what’s on at The Tav while you’re in the region and make a night of it.
The authority of burgers in Margaret River, but it is Normal Van’s impressive drinks menu and epic happy hour gaining the spotlight this time. Their beautiful patio is the perfect spot for enjoying their signature Normal Marg, Spicy Summer Marg and Classic Tommy’s Marg. The team regularly creates mezcal-focused specials and other exciting things to accompany their cocktail program. 4:30 – 5:30 pm is your chance to grab $10 glasses of wine and $15 cocktails including a Spiked Sweet Tea, plus Robs’ Crispy Chicken Wings (3 for $12 or 5 for $20). Make sure to factor in Normal Van’s 8 pm closing time. Pop in along your hop or end your evening with one of their famous burgers.
The perfect place to perch and people watch right in the centre of town. Riversmith is getting amongst the late-night bustle of town now keeping their doors open in the evenings. From Thursday to Sunday, look out onto the main street as you enjoy Riversmith’s delicious food menu alongside an extended Happy Hour with beers, cocktails and local wines by the glass for just $7.
An exciting cocktail menu packing unique creations but also the classics you know and love. Think pink peppercorn-infused vodka or pandan syrup plus old faithfuls like martinis and old fashioned. Know exactly what you’re getting with an illustrated book detailing the ingredients, flavour profile and the preparation of your chosen cocktail. For those more inclined to the classics, choose your spirit from Morries’ extensive list and enjoy neat or as the cocktail it’s known for. Enjoy mega hour Tuesday-Saturday 5-6 pm, including but not limited to $10 selected tapas, and two cocktails for $30 plus live music on the second Friday of every month from 7-9 pm.
Take a right at the top of town and make your way to The River. Head inside to the bar then park up inside, find a table in their welcoming open front courtyard or the rear beer garden. Home to a fabulous list of beer and wine from the region and around the world, it’s their whiskey collection carefully curated by the team that The River is famous for. The place to be on Fridays, enjoy mega happy hour from 3-6pm with $5 schooners of Single Fin Pale and $5 house wines. If you’re heading on a Sunday, enjoy $8 pints of Pipe Dreams Lager, $8 Aperol spritz and $8 house mojitos all day. They also boast an impressive live music calendar featuring local and international artists of all genres, be sure to check their website for upcoming shows.
To arrange transport to and from your accommodation, contact South West Taxis on 1300 681 616 or if travelling in a large group, get in touch with the team at the Visitors Centre to arrange group transportation on 9780 5911 or [email protected].
Opening hours for each venue may vary depending on the time of year. We recommend checking each venue’s Instagram, Facebook or website for their most up-to-date trading hours before heading out.
