Nine to Try: The Not-So-Standard Happy Hours of Byron Bay

Forget the stock-standard pub specials of schooners and house wines – many of the best restaurants and bars in Byron and the wider region offer their own happy hours. Most of which are far from ordinary.

From a woodfired pizza slice and glass of wine for $14, to a winning combo of craft beer and a smoky skewer straight from a hibachi grill, here’s where to park up in the Northern Rivers.

The Salty Mangrove, New Brighton
The Salty Mangrove is the new and already-adored “community meeting place” in New Brighton, 20 minutes north of the Bay. It’s from chef David Moyle, of Melbourne’s Longsong and Hobart’s now-closed Franklin, and it’s easy to see the influence on the menu. There’s a signature grilled fish-dumpling salad and Med-leaning snacky plates celebrating local ingredients.

Every Friday, the High Tide Happy Hour offers $15 carafes of Natural Order Wine, $15 jugs of Earth Pale Ale, and $12 plates of dip‘n’bread. Salty Sundays are also a hit: $14 Margs and a chef’s special.
High Tide Happy Hour: Fridays from 4pm–6pm
Salty Sundays: 2pm–5pm

Saint Maries, Brunswick Heads
Saint Maries in Brunswick Heads is classic Italian with a twist. Woodfired pizza, ice-cold Margs and funky wines are the venue’s speciality, along with DJs and vinyl.

Drop in between 3pm and 5pm Monday through Friday for $7 house wines and house schooners, $14 classic Margs and Negronis, and $18 pizzas. On Mondays Saint Maries pops off with a pasta and jazz night: live bands, $20 pastas and $14 Negronis all night.
Happy hour: Monday to Friday from 3pm–5pm
Jazz and pasta night: Mondays

You Beauty, Bangalow
This is the bustling side-street hangout in Bangalow where you can find Matt Stone’s share plates and a tight drinks list that includes a constant rotation of boutique wines from across the globe. The food is all good, and the specials shouldn’t be missed. They join local favourites such as the salted snapper fried potato, and sesame-topped croc toast.

On Sundays, Sydney rock oysters with a mignonette – normally $6 a pop – fly out the door for $3, until sold out (which they always do).
Happy hour: Monday to Friday from 3pm–5pm
$3 oyster Sundays

Bay Pizza Lab, Byron Bay
Bay Pizza Lab in the centre of town is a no-fuss fully licensed Italian restaurant by the pizza chefs from Roadhouse.

In the late arvo the restaurant becomes the perfect pit stop for a quick snack and drink post-swim. Find $7 margherita slices and a few hot combos: slice and beer ($12), slice and Aperol Spritz ($14), or a slice and glass of wine ($14).
Happy hour: Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm–5pm

Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, Byron Bay
This breezy venue is above Lawson Street and offers both a prime posi for people watching and a shady spot to sip on a cocktail – which’ll taste even better half price.

Happy hour is daily here, and includes $14 cocktails, $8 wines and spirits, and $10 pints. Head in on a Wednesday to pair your bargain bev with half-price oysters – that’s $18 for six – or on a Tuesday for a $35 bowl of garlicky mussels with bottomless fries.
Happy hour: daily from 4pm–6pm
Oyster hour: Wednesdays from 5pm–6pm
Moules frites: Tuesdays

Moonlight, Byron Bay
This Japanese hibachi grill and wine bar, from the team behind Light Years, offers flame-licked snacks, fresh raw fish and larger plates at dinnertime. The biodynamic wine list changes according to the lunar cycle, along with a selection of sake, Japanese whiskies and cocktails.

But head in for Golden Hour for a bargain: a $20 drink and snack. In your glass may be a local or imported beer, or a drop from a small winery. Bites will likely be skewers, hot off the hibachi.
Golden Hour: Monday to Friday from 5pm–6pm

Shelter, Lennox Head
This Lennox Head bar and restaurant – just south of the Bay, and well worth a visit – uses sustainable and seasonal produce from hyperlocal suppliers for their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus – which are best enjoyed from the balcony overlooking the water.

Find your spot surveying the surf on three select days each week to order from the happy hour menu that o ffers $7 tap beers, $9 wines and $12 cocktails, along with $12 small plates.
Happy hour: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm–6pm

No Bones, Byron Bay
No Bones is one of the few vegan kitchen and bars in Byron, but it’s not simply veggies on the menu. Clue up on well-done plant-based fakes – like kung pow Crispy Chick’n with chilli miso aioli and peanuts – from chef Ben Streater.

The daily happy hour includes $14 cocktails, $9 wines and $8 pours of both beer and cider.
Happy hour: daily from 5pm–6pm

Luna Wine Store, Byron Bay
This boutique wine store stocks an impressive selection of natural wines – the very same that can also be found at Bar Heather, an excellent wine bar from the same team. At Luna, expert staff will help you pick out a bottle based on even the most obscure taste, which is what makes it a local favourite before heading off to any dinner party.

While it’s not technically a happy hour, from 4pm every Friday, Luna hosts a free wine tasting to showcase its favourite winemakers – a host will talk you through each grape, note and tannin.
Free tastings: Fridays from 4pm