Nightlife & Entertainment in Hobart

As the capital of Australia’s island state, Tasmania, it’s no surprise that Hobart has a bouncing nightlife full of diverse entertainment, whether your tastes run to head-banging live music, cultured cinema, or relaxed cocktail bars.

 

Bars

 

Hobart boasts a wide range of bars, from chic candle-lit lounges to laid back pubs. But whatever style of drinking den best suits you, one thing’s for sure - you’ll always find a decent wine list.

 

 

Situated in the refined nightlife hotspot of Salamanca, this historic Hobart establishment offers an upscale night out. The warm but dimly-lit interiors, paired with the stripped-back bare sandstone walls and sleek modern decor, create a ritzy atmosphere, ripe for an evening of fine wine and rapport.

 

27 Salamanca Place, Hobart TAS 7004.  

 

Live music

 

Hobart has been a thriving live music centre for decades, hosting dozens of jazz, classical, and folk outfits, but also riveting rock bands, hip hop groups, and grungy punk stars. It carries this love for music into its nightlife, be it at bars or concerts.

 

Republic Bar and Café

 

The city’s flagship live music bar, the Republic puts on shows every night of the week, with no particular genre bias. One evening you’ll catch hard-hitting blues tunes, the next evening the crowds will be jumping to dance tracks or the poetic stylings of rap legends. With a huge beer, wine, and food menu, as well as a spacious, social beer garden, the Republic is one you’ll keep coming back to.

 

299 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart, TAS 7000.  

 

The Lark Cellar Door

 

Based right beside Hobart’s shimmering aquamarine waterfront, this bar is the home base of Hobart’s live folk, blues, and bluegrass music, putting on live gigs several nights a week. Part of the Lark Distillery - a leading local Tasmanian spirit distillery - the Lark Cellar Door has an extremely broad whisky list. The free gigs generally attract a slightly older crowd, but the friendly atmosphere welcomes any lover of traditional acoustic music.

 

14 Davey Street, Hobart TAS 7000.  

 

Cinemas

 

Not everyone feels like hitting the town hard on a night out. If you prefer a quieter evening of entertainment, head to one of Hobart’s cinemas. While there are plenty of mainstream cinemas in the city, push the boat out and try something a little different.

 

 

For film fanatics and those fed up with chain cinema multiplexes, the State Cinema is perfect. This indie and art-house cinema shows foreign language films, documentaries, and lesser-known Hollywood gems, as well as live satellite showings of operas and ballets. During summer, keep your eye out, as the cinema often shows last-minute rooftop screenings, where you can relax in a deckchair with a drink in hand.

 

375 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart TAS 7000.  

 

Performing arts

 

Hobart also takes its performing arts scene seriously, so why not dress to impress, book tickets, and catch a show at this grand theatre?

 

 

The Theatre Royal, located in central Hobart, is Australia’s oldest continually operated theatre, established as far back as 1834. After a renovation campaign by Laurence Olivier, the theatre shot-up in local and international acclaim. Now, it has a proud line-up of performing arts events, from touring theatre productions and ballet recitals to live music and comedy - which you’ll watch from its regal red and gold stacked seating area.

 

29 Campbell Street, Hobart TAS 7000.