Sit in the garden with a bottle of Italian cabernet sauvignon and gooey raclette cheese to share, or perch at the bar with a glass and a plate of pâté for a romantic tête-à-tête.

Take a sip of Charlie’s locally distilled gin, with accents of Kakadu plums, Palmerston rosellas water lilies and native lemongrass, and step out to the outdoor area, lined in southeast-Asia style lanterns. It’ll fast become clear you’ve landed in a far more tropical locale at this bar.

Pub meal deals are available some nights of the week and you can even book a trivia sesh for you and your new travel mates so choose your quiz expertise ASAP.

Willing Distillery is relatively new on the scene and, like many distilleries and breweries, is housed in a light industrial complex on the outskirts of the CBD. Try a Darwin Dry Gin martini at the cellar door, or a ‘bush’ negroni, if more your tipple of choice.

While the restaurant serves up traditional Kimchi and Korean BBQ (think Bulgogi beef or Jaeyuk Gui Spiced Pork Belly), funky TLB has over 20 gins and cocktails on its menu, including smoked rosemary sours and a ‘Bonsoir’ with Korean raspberry wine. Head here for a fun night of experimental cocktails in an intimate space (and the restaurant too, if you want the full experience).

The buzzing Shenanigans in downtown Darwin is easy-going and good value, with specials like curries, Sunday roasts and steak nights, meal choice depending on what day you rock up for a cold beer on their terrace, or to watch a game in the cool of the bar.

There is such a thing as too much of a good time. If you overindulge, you can also stop by Traders for a recovery coffee and fresh croissant in the morning … and perhaps a spiced Bloody Mary, if you’re feeling perkier.

A classic Australian drinking hole with pub meal specials like ribs, steak and barramundi, make some new friends at their regular amateur pool competitions or mingle with travellers and locals alike in the beer garden.

We’re talking disco balls, walls lined with vintage Esquire posters, a dimly lit red interior and a big pair of watching blue eyes, straight out of The Great Gatsby. Settle into the quirky joint with a strong ginger beer, and see who else has come out on the town.

Approach the polished wooden bar of this speakeasy-style watering hole and order a dram of whiskey, or perhaps an item off their extensive martini list: a speciality at Hanky Panky.

The Tap on Mitchell is a city pub not far from the main tourist drag, where you can sit back in the shade of an enormous beauty leaf tree for a feed. Chances are? You’ll be chatting away with Darwin locals and visitors alike within minutes of your arrival.

Dom’s is popular, with frequent live music events in a smallish space, so expect a buzzing atmosphere as you fight your way to the bar to order one of their signature ‘Territori-tinis’ or award-winning ‘Tiger Stripe’.

Think frozen mango daiquiris, dinner steak specials, taco Tuesdays and live music at an air-conditioned bar come Dry Season. A ten-minute walk from the Darwin Waterfront, it is central, pumping with strong party vibes and has cocktail specials: a major win in the heat of the Northern Territory.

It’s also a relaxing place to sit right on the beach’s edge to watch the sunset, perched in prime position on the still, vast waters of Fannie Bay.

Ella – by Minoli promises a well-balanced mix of flavours, which pays homage to Sri Lankan food’s Ayurvedic properties, as well as creative and original cocktails. Pair flavours of tamarind, coconut and spice with a cocktail like none you’ve ever tried before – perhaps a ’Curry Season’ with Colombo gin, curry leaf and watermelon, or an ‘Island Medicine’ with gin, pineapple and jalapeno syrup, lemongrass and fresh ginger. It’s an intoxicating combination, and one of the reasons this romantic restaurant made our list of the best places to eat in Darwin.

We’re talking Coffin Bay oysters served up every which way (natural, Kilpatrick, Thai, with caviar …), house pickled octopus, coconut crumbed prawns, pork belly bites and popcorn crocodile with salad and bush tomato relish. Time your visit with the daily happy hour, and pair it with some rose sangria with rhubarb and ginger gin, or one of their Bloody Marys (oyster addition, optional).

Their specialty is the ‘Blazer’. It’s a cocktail that’s so hot right now, it is literally on fire. Staying off the booze? Non-alcoholic cocktails like their ‘No Tai’ are pretty special too.