What do the locals recommend to the visitors in Kiama for nightlife and a good night out? 

In alphabetical order, here are ten hidden gems of Kiama’s nightlife which locals recommend to visitors. 

Cedar Cutters Sports Bar

Did you know Kiama has a sports bar? We do now! Opened November 2023, the Cedar Cutters Sports Bar is a sports paradise with high-resolution screens and an immersive sound system. Whether your passion is cricket, or all the football codes, you can have a great meal in a private space and enjoy those great scoring moments in classy and sophisticated surroundings.

Sports bar culture is embedded in many countries, especially in Europe and the USA, to sit and have a beer and watch the game on the big screen. 

The Cedar Cutters bar is also starting to offer live music from local artists every Friday night. Starting from Friday 17 January at 7pm, there will be live music from James Ebden, front man of Elton Joel, who will bring that cheery piano bar vibe. Why not try its current Cedar Cutter Special Cocktail, the classic Amaretto Sour as seen in Cocktail starring Tom Cruise?  

Kiama Leagues Club also does free live music on Saturday from 8.30pm and from 2.30pm on a Sunday afternoon. 

You will be able to watch the American Gridiron Playoffs at Cedar Cutters leading up to the Superbowl on 11 February in Las Vegas.

Cin Cin Wine Bar

Cin Cin (pronounced Chin Chin) Wine Bar has that traditional wine bar feel with local wines, cocktails, grazing boards and a mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean meze plates as well as sharing meals. These can include chess boards, charcuterie boards and the old school ploughman’s platter. 

It is that smaller, intimate space that people like in a wine bar, and Cin Cin is all that.

Little Betty’s

Little Betty’s is a low-lit cocktail bar with proud middle of the table styling on 1/ 55 Collins Street.

Happy hours at Little Betty’s are on Friday and Saturday evenings from 4pm to 6pm. It is open Friday to Saturday from 3pm to 12am but also open on a Monday for the same hours. A good local tip when most venues are closed on a Monday! 

Try Little Betty’s speciality (which means fun) cocktails or explore a local craft beer or small production run local wine. On Sunday, there is a rotating roast with all the trimmings, or maybe even try the Sydney Rock Oysters with added spicy nam jim dipping sauce.

LBs prides itself on banger tunes, great company and friendly and fun staff. When locals mention Little Betty’s they always add the word ‘fun!’ 

The Hill Bar and Kitchen

The Hill Bar at 98 Fern Street in central Gerringong is open seven days from 11:30am until late, which usually means if it's a busy night they stay open a bit longer.

It has one of the best views in Gerringong towards the southern end of Werri Beach. Why not sit out on the terrace in the evening light and have an Espresso Martini on the terrace? Drew Pash Me More Spritzers with freshly shucked oysters are another great favourite as is a light meal like fish tacos.

The Hill Bar loves to offer specials such as $6 pale ales during its happy hours from 3pm to 5pm. One popular special is the $14 Tommy’s Marg Marguerita and the $6 Stone and Wood Pale Ale. 

It stocks Pacific Ales from 3pm to 5pm every day and it is a great spot to hang out for a meal and a drink while overlooking the sea.

Next door to the bar is the Gather by the Hill restaurant doing modern Asian cuisines, and the Hill Kiosk known as Fern Street Espresso and Gelato. 

Miss Arda

The big news at Miss Ardas is that it is changing to open seven days a week from Monday 22 January 2024 with new opening hours of 11:30pm to 10pm. Former head chef at Ottolenghi in London, Emily started Miss Arda after the success with Otis in Kiama up the road.

Miss Arda is a Mezes bar with Middle Eastern influences, celebrating all the cultures of the Middle East, offering sharing plates and cocktails. These can include potato latkes and the prawn and chorizo dumplings are worth a try.

Happy hours are Friday/Saturday 3pm-5pm where martinis are $12, and margaritas are $10.

They even stock selected beers from Stoics in Gerringong who brew all their own beers on site. The menus change weekly and so get in touch with Miss Arda to see what is on offer this week.

Stoics at Gerringong

Stoics is a well-known local brewery in Gerringong and has been hosting Trivia at the Brewery on Wednesday night from 6:30pm to 8pm. On Australia Day, Stoics will host live music from 1pm to 4pm.

It will also have a New Brew Launch Party on Friday 9 February with live music from 5pm to 8pm, where you can meet the Head Brewer, Brent.

Check out its guided tours from grain to glass, where you can check out where all the Stoic brands of beer are made right on site. The latest beers made on sitw include the Triple Red IPA and the Stoic Society. 

Open from Wednesday to Thursday from 7am to 8pm and Friday and Saturday from 7am to 9pm with coffee from opening and beers from 10am.

Sea Shanty Club at Kiama Inn Hotel

The Sea Shanty Club meets every Wednesday at Tory’s from 7:30 pm for group singing of old classics and favourites at Kiama Inn Hotel (Tory’s to locals) on the corner of Terralong Street and Shoalhaven Street. Dressing up as a pirate is recommended but not required. 

Being a good singer is also not required but enthusiastic singing is. This form of group pub singing has become wildly popular ever since “The Wellerman” song cover by Nathan Evans became popular during the Covid lockdown.

The Kiama Sea Shanty website has many lyrics you can print out or read off your phone if you want to sing along!  And of course, Tory’s also does $18 frozen cocktails.

Karaoke at the Bowlo 

The Karaoke Night at the Kiama Bowling Club on a Friday night has been a staple for locals for a long time and is hosted by Mel Funktion Entertainment from 7:30pm every Friday night. Bring the shenanigans and cheer on your mates and remember it's all about having fun.

The Bowlo offers a free courtesy bus home for patrons from 5 pm. 

Jamberoo Pub Open Mic Thursdays

Jamberoo Pub hosts its classic Open Mic Night every Thursday from 6:30pm at Jamberoo Pub with the first Open Night on 1 February. The Pub is at 12 Allowrie Street in the heart of Jamberoo, which also has the great Johnny Warren Museum full of classic Aussie soccer stories.

The $15 Monday Night Schnitzel (with complimentary drink) is always a popular choice.

Jamberoo Pub also has live music on Sunday afternoons with Mark Dabin from 1pm on Sunday 28 January. The Butter Trackers are musicians who play traditional Irish sessions regularly at the Jamberoo Pub, often inviting members of the audience to join them on stage, and have a craic, and many well-known musos have played the Jamberoo Pub in the past, such as Pat Drummond.

Yves at The Sebel 

Yves is a cocktail bar at 31 Shoalhaven Street in central Kiama, and is The Sebel Hotel’s  bar and bistro. It has stunning views over the harbour, and the menu is inspired by the seaside location in order to drive a modern coastal vibe. The lights of the harbour make for a memorable night out.

Try the beef ribs or seared salmon. According to the staff they are so “boujee” (ask them about it when you arrive).

For the Australia Day long weekend, Yves will have live music all weekend, with local muso Joe Mungovan returning on Friday 26 January from 7pm, Emma Jones on Saturday 27 January from 7pm, and Giles Robinson from 7pm on Sunday 28 January. 

Happy Hour is 4pm to 6pm so $6 selected beers and wines, and $12 pizzas. Try the Mango Matcha Marguerita $18 and ask about their summer spritz menu. 

Those are our ten hidden gems of Kiama’s nightlife. If you are a local, feel free to contact The Bugle with your own recommendations and tips for future hidden gems articles, where locals recommend the best hidden spots only we know.