Places to Be

Now you can choose your bar wisely.

When Friday night comes around, the last thing you want to do is spend your night unwittingly queuing up at a no-go bar. Lucky for you, Virgin Members have done some research for you. So now you can go straight to the top picks of bars in your city.

The Grace Darling is a favourite in Melbourne. This historic building features cosy open fires and leather lounges, a playroom with snooker and arcade games, an upstairs bandroom and a gothic-inspired basement.

Up north, the people who brought you Brisbane Family have recently opened super-club Cloudland. With four levels and a retractable glass roof, this definitely isn't your average beer garden.

Sydney's Pocket Bar is one of the star players of the city's recent Small Bar revolution. Set in a quiet Darlinghurst side street, the shabby baroque furniture and excellent martinis will have you settling in for a lazy drinking session.

And for old-style comfort and charm, Perth's new Andaluz Bar features a laneway courtyard, secluded stairways and exposed steel beams.

The Grace Darling, 114 Smith St, Collingwood, Melbourne (03) 9416 0055
Cloudland, 641 Ann Street Fortitude Valley, Brisbane (07) 3872 6600
Pocket Bar, 13 Burton St, Darlinghurst, Sydney (02) 9380 7002
Andaluz, Basement, 21 Howard St, Perth (08) 9481 0092