Where to Drink Champagne on Global Champagne Day in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth

October 3, 2024|Sara Underdown.

Elegant champagne bar interior with arched windows, marble tables, and brown leather chairs

Champagne Bar, Sofitel Darling Harbour

Level 3, 12 Darling Drive, Sydney

Sydney’s premier champagne bar seems right at home alongside the city’s picturesque harbour. Situated on level three of the five-star Sofitel Darling Harbour, its contemporary French design is impressively refined – as one might expect – but it’s not without soul.

The bar is home to around 100 different cuvées by the bottle, 10 by the glass, sourced from several champagne portfolios. Whilst its philosophy is to provide enough brand reference to speak to customers, long-term plans suggest the bar itself may become the reference point for those seeking something more in-depth.

Delicious appetisers temp with every glass, then finish on one of the Bar's signature champagne cocktails.

The Sofitel Champagne Bar’s human connection makes the tasting experience more than just about the bubbles. It’s a beautiful bar, with some exceptional cuvées, and passionate staff. A visit late at night, with the beauty of the lights from the harbour, is a must when in Sydney.

Visit: Champagne Bar Sofitel

Bibo Wine Bar

7 Bay Street, Double Bay, Sydney

As far as neighbourhood wine bars go, BIBO is about as bona fide as they come. Its discreet entrance leads to a place of moody vibes, after dark, and immediately transports you to seductively warm nights in the Mediterranean.

If it’s a good recommendation you’re after, you’ll be looked after by their award-winning team. BIBO's wine list includes champagne by the glass and bottle. Bottles are divided by region – Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte des Bar and Coteaux du Petit Morin – and demonstrates a nice balance between growers and Champagne Houses.

BIBO’s relaxed elegance will want to make you stay all night, the champagne even moreso. Pair yours with BIBO’s Portuguese-inspired fare. Black grape dominated grower champagnes, with their fuller-bodied and spicier profile, handles this kind of food well.

Whether you’re a neighbour – or just in the neighbourhood – BIBO Wine Bar offers that something special, within something that seems familiar.

Visit: Bibo Wine Bar

Reign at the QVB

7 Bay Street, Double Bay, Sydney

Reign is as pretty as a picture. Nestled into the grand architecture of Sydney's imposing QVB building, your senses will come alive with its light and bright decor, soft salmon tones and copper highlights. The venue stakes its claim on being Sydney's best champagne bar - and it does put up a serious offering. Take the time to experience a vintage flight of top cuvées, very reasonably priced, or be led through a grower champagne discovery. By the glass, there's an impressive list spanning leading Maisons, some growers, and even Dom Pérignon.

There are two solid pages dedicated to champagne bottles, organised by region and then by vintage or non-vintage. Pair with delicious small plates that are fresh and light, making them the perfect compliment for your glass of bubbles.

There is something for everyone, and every budget at Reign.

Visit: Reign

Shell House

7 Bay Street, Double Bay, Sydney

Shell House boasts a restaurant, three bars and a rooftop terrace, so you'll have plenty of options to raise a glass. With its oversized furniture, light-filled rooms and creamy hues, the restaurant is a glitzy choice to snack on a range of well-considered starters, shellfish and grilled meats.

Pair yours with an impressive list of Maisons and Growers. Whilst Maisons are represented by the usual suspects, you'll be impressed by the list of growers at remarkably accessible prices. Jerome Prevost's unicorn 'La Closerie' - with varying base vintages, Jacques Selosse, Egly-Ouriet, Federic Savart, Ulysse Collin, Suenen and Pascal Agrapart are all represented alongside others.

Visit: Shellhouse

Lui Bar

Level 55 at Rialto Towers, Melbourne CBD

When celebrating career success, a birthday, or any day, there's only one place to go: Lui Bar in Melbourne. Situated in the Rialto Towers in Melbourne CBD, it offers special pours like Bonnaire Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru from Cramant by the glass—an undeniably sophisticated and elegant choice that sets the perfect atmosphere for raising a glass.

Visit: Lui Bar

Ritz-Carlton

650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

At the Ritz-Carlton, the Cameo Bar provides an exclusive setting to indulge in a glass of Delamotte Blanc de Blancs. Take in the breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay and bask in the captivating light reflections of Docklands.

Visit: Ritz-Carlton Melbourne

Yugen Dining

605 Chapel St, South Yarra

When I want to enjoy a cheeky glass of champagne, I head straight to Yugen Dining in South Yarra. Its six-meter-high stone wall and refined industrial interiors make it the perfect spot. I'm a fan of Charles Heidsieck champagne—it's classic, well-balanced, and rich, making it the perfect complement to pan-Asian cuisine!

Visit: Yugen Dining

Arkhé

127 The Parade, Norwood, Adelaide

Open flame cooking on a two-tonne wood oven wouldn’t normally inspire gastronomic thoughts with champagne, but at Arkhé, you’ll find Adelaide’s most extensive list of grower champagnes.

The restaurant boasts an impressive list of champagne according to varietal and region. The food and wine offers a 'sense of adventure' which attracts people back time after time.

The open flame nature of the menu is no challenge when it comes to finding its champagne compliment, if nothing else, it makes it particularly exciting to pair.

Blanc de blancs styles go with Arkhé’s oysters and crumpets, whereas pinot-dominant champagnes have greater structure and work well with Ocean Jacket cheeks and bone marrow.

With more than 150 champagnes by the bottle, and a menu just as diverse, the adventure trail is long at Arkhé.

Visit: Arkhé

Mt Lofty House

1 Mawson Dr, Crafers, South Australia

It may be part of the Sofitel group, but Mt Lofty House couldn’t be more boutique, tucked away from it all, as a five-star escape, touting a three-hatted restaurant. It is ensconced in timeless refinement, complete with characterful stonework and deep-seated leather chairs; moody by day, and just a little Agatha Christie by night.

The property’s restaurant, Hardy’s Verandah, is responsible for organising its wine list and special events, which extends to exclusive wine dinners for the property’s six-star luxury lodges, Sequoia.

The hotel has increased the diversity of their champagne offering according to sub-regions and has included growers on the rise and smaller negociants. Styles of champagne are also highlighted according to varietal and house philosophy including R.Pouillon, Jacques Selosse, Cédric Bouchard and Nicolas Maillart amongst favourite growers, alongside Louis Roederer and Salon as preferred Houses.

The appeal of Mt Lofty House may be in its unashamed decadence, but there is also a lot of heart and soul that comes through its finer details. Champagne lovers will find their retreat here.

Visit: Mt Lofty House

Magill Estate Restaurant

78 Penfold Road, Magill, South Australia

What many don’t realise - or expect - is the excellent champagne list offered by Penfolds’ fine dining restaurant at Magill Estate in South Australia – just a stone’s throw from Adelaide’s CBD. From Krug’s 1979 vintage to some of the hardest to source single vineyard grower champagnes, the list is perhaps the most exclusive in South Australia.

It may seem an odd coupling, having champagne in the spiritual home of Australia’s most iconic red wine producer. The restaurant cellar boasts the finest collection of Penfolds' wines dating back to the creation of the first experimental Grange in 1951. The diversity of South Australia’s terroir provides the restaurant with a rich palette of regional produce to pair with its wines.

What started out as a handful of House champagnes offered as an apéritif, has grown into a list boasting more than 55 different labels comprising Houses as well as top growers. Three champagnes are poured by the glass, which changes weekly.

From Pierre Gerbais, Christophe Mignon, Cédric Bouchard and JM Sélèque, to Dom Pérignon, Salon, Bollinger and Ruinart – and others in between – the range caters to those seeking a brand reference but also for people looking to explore. The latter, he says, forms the majority of patrons walking through the door.

Discerning palates seeking something more might opt for a bottle tucked away in their extensive cellar and not on the list.

Visit: Magill Estate Restaurant

2KW

2 King William St, Adelaide CBD, South Australia

2KW may boast one of the best vantage points in town, set high upon Adelaide’s skyline, but its charm is in the people who work there, the dynamic wine-focused program and delicious menu designed for sharing. It has a sense of community about it, where drinks on the terrace with friends over long afternoons morph into modish dinners by night in the restaurant.

A 68-page strong beverage list is the backdrop to anyone’s experience here, thoughtfully compiled by 2KW’s long-standing and characterful Head Sommelier, Dan McEvoy.

Dan’s dream is to ‘create a beguiling page turner, with a chapter, a page and a paragraph that can resonate with every reader.’ Indeed it does. Cast your eye to the champagne list, it’s particularly good. Organised by region and then by style, you’ll find a fair balance between Maisons and growers. There’s even rare finds like Salon.

Whilst 2KW offers a serious list, you won’t be at all intimidated.

Visit: 2KW

Cru Bar Cellar

1/22 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD

This institution in Brisbane is remarkable, not only for the vast offerings of champagne, from small producers to Grandes Marques, but also for the passionate and sincere team that excite and fulfil your curiosity for the Champagne region. Retail Manager, Chris Walker, meticulously crafts the list, regularly receiving industry accolades including Best Wine List in Queensland, Australia’s Best Champagne List and Gourmet Traveller WINE’s Hall of Fame.

After a refresh earlier this year, the rejuvenated interior design is stunning, more vibrant than ever, where the effervescent bead of each champagne vibrates within the soul of the venue.

Visit: Cru Bar

La Cache à Vin

215 Wharf St, Spring Hill QLD

If you love France for its people, the food, the wines and the culture, this is the place in Brisbane to label your second home.

Just as their ancestors did centuries ago, this hand-converted bistro and cave, in Spring Hill, makes you feel a little like you’re in one of Champagne’s caves. The venue’s champagne list is impressively extensive and boasts everything from grower producers to Champagne Houses and rare gems. Visit for a glass at the bar or share a bottle with friends, but whatever the reason, you are always welcomed with sincerity to experience seasonal and uncomplicated dishes which pair beautifully with the superb array of champagnes available.

Visit: La Cache à Vin

Wineism

Albion Fine Trades, Tenancy 1C and, 1D/97 Sandgate Rd, Albion

The famed and well-seasoned sommelier behind Wineism, Ian Trinkle, quenches your thirst and excites your palate with every sip at this cosy and charming boutique wine bar in Albion. Drop in for a glass, a snack, or just a friendly chat. This extraordinary destination is devoted to your discovery of hand-selected champagnes from exceptional champagne vignerons.

Visit: Wineism

Wildflower

COMO The Treasury Level 4, 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth

Quite possibly the prettiest venue in Perth, Wildflower occupies the stunning rooftop space of COMO The Treasury, serving lunch and dinner against a backdrop of sweeping views across the Swan River and city. Contemporary dishes revolve around the indigenous ethos of six seasons with farmer and forager-driven menus.

On the champagne front, you can indulge in pairing experiences or purchase by the bottle. Though a relatively modest list, there are some excellent champagnes on offer that will suit any palate.

Visit: Wildflower

The Shorehouse (and Gibney)

278 Marine Parade, Swanbourne, Western Australia

The Shorehouse, with its seaside location sprawling across 1900m², offers commanding views from end-to-end windows and a sun-drenched deck, if you really want to mark the occasion.

The Shorehouse (and sister venue, Gibney) have an amazing array of ‘big boy’ and grower champagnes, the latter features an impressive list of Egly-Ouriet. There’s also some value for money Jérôme Prévost La Closerie, but now that the secret’s out, you may not find it there for long.

Visit: The Shorehouse

Lamonts

Cnr Spring Street and Mounts Bay Road, Perth

Lamonts is a long-established wine institution in Perth, with a particularly fascinating and deep slant towards champagne. Between the manicured, heritage listed gardens, you’ll enter a brick archway and a timeless space that is styled with hardwood timber floors, a fireplace and flickering candles.

Take your pick from the ample wine list with its dynamic champagne selection and enjoy.

Visit: Lamonts

Cherubino City Cellar

171 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, Western Australia

Cherubino is a wine bar and bottle shop, considered to be a hidden gem, tucked away above Simon Johnson on Rokeby Road. This gorgeous space goes beyond being a wine store, providing a cosy atmosphere that is perfect for date night.

Among its world wine offer is a small but solid choice of House and Grower champagnes that are not excessively priced (provided you stay away from the Krug and Jacques Selosse).

Visit: Cherubino

Rockpool

Crown Casino, Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood

Rockpool offers elegant dining and superior service, featuring a wood-fired grill and the finest Australian produce. Here you will find mostly House champagnes but you can also discover some good growers and boutique producers, including in large format. There’s a good list of blanc de noirs, also, which pairs well with your grilled steak.

Visit: Rockpool