The Australian Open 2026 is set to turn Melbourne into the tennis capital of the world for two weeks every January. But you do not need a ticket to Rod Laver Arena to feel the electricity. From the riverside terraces of Southbank to the cocktail lounges of the Sydney CBD, here is your definitive guide to watching every ace, break point, and five-set thriller from the best bars in Australia.

Melbourne: Ground Zero for Australian Open Fever

During the Open, Melbourne's CBD becomes a tennis fan's paradise. The 388 Sports Bar on Lonsdale Street sets up dedicated viewing zones for every court, with the main draw matches projected on a 4K wall that takes up an entire side of the venue. The cocktail program shifts to a tennis-themed menu — try their "Deuce Spritz" with elderflower and prosecco. Across the river in Southbank, the promenade bars set up outdoor screens so you can watch the match with the Yarra River sparkling behind you and the Melbourne skyline lit up as the night sessions begin.

Quick Insider Tip

During the second week of the Open, many Melbourne CBD bars offer "quarter-final packages" — a reserved seat, a meal, and a drink for a fixed price. Book ahead through the venue's website as these sell out by the first weekend.

Sydney's Best Tennis Viewing Spots

Sydney may be 900 kilometres from Melbourne Park, but the city takes the Australian Open seriously. The Fortune of War in The Rocks runs a "Tennis Tuesdays" promotion throughout the tournament, with $10 pints and a free meat pie with every drink during the night sessions. The Golden Sheaf in Double Bay sets up its beer garden with a massive outdoor screen specifically for the men's and women's finals, creating a garden party atmosphere that rivals anything you would find in Melbourne. For a more intimate experience, the CBD sports lounges along George Street offer private booth seating with table service, so you never have to leave your seat during a crucial rally.

  • 4K screens with dedicated tennis audio feeds
  • Tournament-themed cocktail specials
  • Match-day menus designed for long viewing sessions
  • Outdoor screening for finals weekend

The Finals Weekend Experience

The men's and women's finals are the pinnacle of the Australian Open, and both Sydney and Melbourne pull out all the stops. In Melbourne, Bridge Road in Richmond becomes a walking precinct, with pubs spilling onto the street and big screens set up in the car parks. In Sydney, the Darling Harbour precinct hosts a free public viewing area alongside the waterfront, with the nearby bars offering premium seating for those who want table service. Wherever you choose to watch, the key is arriving early — by 6 PM on finals night, the best venues are at capacity and the wait can stretch to an hour.

"The Australian Open is the one time of year when every bar in the country becomes a tennis court. The atmosphere in a packed pub during a five-set final is something you simply cannot replicate at home."

— Lead Sports Editor

Planning Your Australian Open Bar Crawl

For the full experience, plan your viewing schedule around the tournament's rhythm. Week one is perfect for venue-hopping — matches run all day, so you can start at a Southbank terrace for a morning session, move to a CBD lounge for the afternoon, and finish at a Richmond pub for the night session. By the second week, pick one venue and settle in, as the matches become longer and the stakes higher. Most importantly, check each venue's social media before heading out — the best bars post real-time updates on seating availability and which matches they are screening on which screens.