Candy Bar

In the afternoon, lounge chairs spill out onto the footpath, offering an all-too-easy spot to relax with an icy beer. Carefree drinkers also fill the rear courtyard, lazing in the warmth of the cocktail-hour sun.

As dark closes in however, the laidback sippers don their party hats in anticipation of Candy Bar's lively after-hours vibe. Candy is always teeming with a perky and delightfully diverse crowd of bar-goers. Here, nine-to-fivers rub shoulders with drag queens, and young urbanites dance alongside buff-bodied boys.

A smattering of events is held throughout the week, including Monday's Drag Bingo. Choose a meal from the $10 bingo menu, and be entertained by hostesses Slash Darling and Dot Com.

Snap.Crackle is held every Saturday, offering up a hard house soundtrack and massive party vibe. Meanwhile, Sunday is Candy Bar's official gay night; a pumping evening of commercially leaning hard house tunes.

If the heat on the dance floor becomes too intense, slide up to the bar and order a pot of Carlton Draught or Stella Artois. A range of nibbles is also on hand, with snacks including grilled Spanish chorizo and fried potato skins.