Smash Palace

Smash Palace serves as a reminder of why bars and pubs were created in the first place. From the outside, it may blend into the surrounding garages and scrap yards, but it's soon clear that this is no man's junk but rather a whole community's treasure. For over 30 years, this venue has provided a gathering place for the community to connect and feel part of something special.

Alongside the live music, the calendar is filled with a weekly lineup of free events such as the Pub Choir, Handle Club Draw, and Build-a-Band. The Handle Draw is something else. Each week, the team spins the jackpot wheel, which lands on a number assigned to one of the locals' handles. If the winner is in the room, they win the prize pool – but if they're nowhere to be found, then another $100 is added to the jackpot and the cycle is repeated. And if you think you can just waltz in for a weekend and claim a handle, think again. You've got to earn your handle around these parts.

When it comes to filling your glass, beer is the standard order here with several local brews on tap. Smash burger pop-ups take place on Fridays and Mexican kitchen takeovers happen every Sunday, with great pub food available every other day. We recommend the signature flame-grilled pizza, rather dramatically finished off with a fiery blowtorch.

There aren't many empty pockets or walls here, and you could spend hours marvelling at the repurposed furnishings, quirky knick knacks, local art, and endless street signs and beer logos that have been accumulated over the years. The huge garden space is unbeatable on warm evenings, with festoon lights strung above and – most noticeably – a DC3 suspended overhead. We're not sure how it got here, but it certainly adds character to the place.