Funky Restaurants, Shops and Hotels

There are so many funky restaurants, shops and hotels opening up around Australia. These places are quickly becoming popular as they are more than just a location - they are an experience.  With quirky décor and funky design here are some of our favourite ones found in Sydney and Melbourne.

Funky Restaurants

York Lane – Sydney

York Lane is a funky inner-city venue that is an espresso bar by morning and licensed restaurant and bar at night.  Walking off the back lane in Wynyard, Sydney, you step into another world with vinyl records playing and split level seating. Grab a coffee in the morning, a fresh sandwich for lunch or enjoy drinks and tapas at night. 

Cookie – Melbourne

Cookie somehow manages to effortlessly combine a beer hall, cocktail bar and modern Thai restaurant into one floor. Located on Swanston Street in the city, this quirky venue offers up fantastic Thai fusion food in a tapas style menu. There is a large range of wines and beers to choose from and is open for lunch and dinner all week long.

  

Funky Shops

Blueprint – Sydney

This concept store is full of the world’s most unique and inspired gifts & homewares. The store is designed with colourful, free flowing interior and stainless steal walls lined with colourful shelves. Located in the new POST building in Potts Point's Macleay Street, this Australian first store will showcase products that can’t be found anywhere else.    

Genki – Melbourne

Genki located in Cathedral Arcade, Swanston Street, Melbourne, has obscure and desirable Japanese, European and US labels and accessories. This funky boutique shop is designed like an eight year olds bedroom and is full of clothes, accessories and bits and bots.

Funky City Hotels

The Cullen, Melbourne

The Cullen - Melbourne

This new concept in boutique hotels is located in Parham only 5kms for Melbourne CBD. The hotel has been inspired by one of Australia’s exciting contemporary artists, Adam Cullen and his funky artwork is displayed throughout. There are 133 rooms comprising of deluxe studio suites and luxury one bedroom suites, each with all the amenities you would need.

  

Blue Sydney, A Taj Hotel

Blue Sydney A Taj Hotel – Sydney

Blue Sydney is a stylish hotel full of personality and leisure, located on the historical Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Each one of their 100 guest rooms, including loft rooms offer modern contemporary décor.  This hotel is the perfectly situated to explore the city and surrounds. After your day of exploring enjoy a drink in the hotels recently refurbished and award winning Water Bar. 

qualia - Hamilton Island

Located on the secluded and breathtakingly beautiful northern-most point of Hamilton Island is qualia. This beautiful resort has been named Best Australian Island Resort by Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2012 Travel Awards and it is easy to see why. 

Set amongst native Eucalypts, and with breathtaking views of the luminous Coral Sea and neighbouring Whitsunday islands, the 60 luxurious pavilions with a sundeck or private infinity edge plunge pool provide the perfect space for guests to unwind in.

 

Outlook - qualia Resort

 There is plenty of space to soak up the island atmosphere in your personal pavilion which has all been designed with ocean views. Before you know it you will be relaxed from your head to your toes. 

The resort features two tranquil infinity-edged pools, two bars and exclusive restaurants, a private dining room, library, fitness centre and Spa qualia.

Spa quale is an award winning spa that offers you a completely unique sensory experience. The spa features an extensive range of luxurious local and international treatments.  

As you are so close to the Great Barrier Reef you can spend a day exploring above or below the surface. For the keen golfers, you can get picked up by helicopter and taken to Hamilton Island Golf Club. Take a cruise to the beautiful white sands of Whitehaven Beach or the Whitsunday Islands. 

Whitehaven Beach

How to get there? Hamilton Island has its own commercial airport with flights arriving daily from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. When you get off the plane there will be VIP transport that will take you to your pavilion at qualia which is just minutes away.

Gold Coast - Top 5 hottest bars & restaurants

Choosing from the many bars and restaurants available on the Gold Coast can be hard - so we've made picking easier by sharing the top 5 hottest bars and restaurants on the Gold Coast.

1. Stingray Lounge – QT Gold Coast

Discover Californian cool, in this classic timber bar sprinkled with designer furniture and the sounds of soul and Latin beats coming from all corners. There are plenty of delicious cocktails on the menu, wine, beer and over 50 in house tequilas. If you get peckish there is a delicious Mexican inspired bar menu. We suggest sipping on orange sherbet mojito while waiting for your angus beef slider to be cooked to perfection.

2. Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill - BroadbeachMoo Moo is no ordinary steakhouse, offering a choice of over 350 wines. The menu celebrates fresh seasonal flavours from family farms and steak from the best breeders in the country. The service here is definitely first class, ask your waiter for a recommendation of which wine to pair with your meal.

3. FIX Bar – Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences
Enjoy this fashionable bar that has been designed as a 1930s cocktail bar. With sophisticated vintage style interior and views of the glistening Surfers Paradise this is where you can find the in-crowd. You can sip on a vintage wine or sample a cocktail designed by the mixoligist Grant Collins and sway to the smooth grooves. 

Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel & Residences

4. Justin Lane Pizzeria & Bar – Burleigh Heads

Justin Lane is soaked in atmosphere, as the restaurant is split over a narrow arcade with the bar on the one side, kitchen on the other side and tables in-between. It has quickly become the hottest place to be from Wednesday to Sunday nights. With a simple, authentic Italian inspired menu the food is fresh and tasty. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine at the bar before your meal and enjoy the laid back surroundings.

5. Skypoint Bar – Q1 Towers Surfers Paradise

Skypoint Bar is located on level 77 of the world’s tallest residential tower - Q1 Towers. Visit of a Friday or Saturday night and you will get to experience the electric atmosphere as the locals arrive to enjoy the smooth beats and cocktails. If you prefer a quiet drink then visit on a weeknight and slowly take in the 360 degree views of the Gold Coast.

Q1 Resort & Spa

Where to drink and dine in Northern Territory

For a restaurant with a difference try Overlander Steakhouse in Alice Springs. Enjoy their large selection of steaks including buffalo, kangaroo, crocodile or camel.

Cullen Bay Marina in Darwin offers alfresco harbourside dining from breakfast till late. There are many different cuisines to choose from. 

The Sounds of Silence is a unique dining experience located at Ayers Rock. Enjoy an award winning dinner in the middle of the dessert while enjoying the sunset over Uluru.

Sound of Starlight Theatre in the heart of Alice Springs. Sit back and enjoy spellbinding music and a visual journey of the Australian Outback. Open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday Nights.

Enjoy the best cocktail in town at The Cavenagh in Darwin. This swanky lounge with an outdoor bar is the perfect place to relax, nibble and sip some drinks.

Lasseters Hotel Casino is the centre of entertainment in Alice Springs with an international standard casino, four restaurants, two bars and a sports lounge. Another casino is Skycity in Darwin offering many entertainment options too. 

To book your Northern Territory holiday visit http://www.sunloverholidays.com.au/ or call 13 88 33. 

Perth - 5 Hot Bars

1. 1907 Restaurant and Cocktail Bar

Set in a trendy former factory in the heart of the city, you can enjoy great food while embracing the old-world charm of this 100 year old building. 

2. Andaluz Bar and Tapas

Tucked in the basement of the 104 year old Parker & Parker building on Howard Street is a cosy tapas bar full of Chesterfield couches and mood lighting. When the weather is great enjoy al fresco dining in the bar's elegent courtyard. 

3. Belgian Beer Cafe

Replicating the 1930s beer lounges, this cafe offers a range of Belgian beers and menu of hearty treats. 

4. The Cheeky Sparrow

Found on Murray Street this cafe offers a warm and friendly to share a coffee with friends or catch up with a loved one over shared plates. 

5. The Conservatory

If you want to enjoy panoramic views of the city then head to The Conservatory at 256 Murray Street. Here you will find Perth's original roof-top bar with cutting edge design and a retractable roof.

Click here to discover Perth hottest hotels.

Gold Coast - Top 5 Restaurants

1. Il Barocco at Main Beach’s Palazzo Versace offers one of the best seafood buffet in Queensland. The seafood on offer includes Australian Crystal Bay prawns, Sydney Rock Oysters, local Spanner Crabs and Balmain Bugs. Staying for dessert is a must with an internationally renowned array of delicate desserts.

2. Hilton Surfers Paradise is home to the Salt Grill. Offering the finest and freshest local produce, this exclusive restaurant managed by celebrity chef Luke Mangan offers glamorous décor, surprising menu and extensive wine cellar.

3. Enjoy a unique, interactive dining experience at Bazaar, QT Hotel Surfers Paradise. It is a buffet with a difference, offering world cuisines and chefs preparing your dining selection right in front of your eyes. Don’t miss the incredible desert bar including the colourful macarons.

4. Four Winds revolving restaurant at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise magnetizes diners with a unique multisensory dining experience of captivating views, sumptuous seafood buffet and friendly service.  

5. Seaduction Restaurant + Bar in the new Sea Temple Surfers Paradise overlooks the Esplanade and Surfers Paradise beach offers fine dining with a modern Australian menu mixing international and local flavours.

Four Winds Revolving Restaurant

Tasmania's Top 5 Cafes and Restaurants

1. Launceston is home to the award wining restaurants of Stillwater, one of Tasmania’s most talked of and rewarded restaurants. Stillwater features modern Australian cuisine in a beautifully restored 1830’s flour mill beside the picturesque Tamar River in Launceston. For more information visit their website here. 

2. Recently nominated in the top 100 restaurants in Australia by Gourmet Traveller is the fashionable Garagistes wine bar and restaurant, in Hobart. Garagistes regularly change their menu as they source their produce from many local growers, fisheries and farmers to accompany internationally sourced wines from small artisan growers. For more information visit their website here. 

3. For a more simplistic meal indulge in Fish Frenzy on the Hobart and Burnie Waterfront’s for fabulous fresh seafood and chips. For more information visit their website here. 

4. For some of the best pizza in Australia visit the Italian Pizza House on George Street. This small, family owned café and take away store was created by two Italian immigrants and offers fantastic Tasmanian ingredients plus home made gelati.

5. Dine at the Gorge Restaurant in Launceston and you will enjoy fantastic surrounds. In the colour months the restaurant sets up a log fire for a wonderful atmosphere and summer sees the diners spill outdoors across the deck. This restaurant is extremely popular for romantic rendezvous and is regarded as a top wedding venue.