At night the city bursts into life along Mitchell Street, the heart of Darwin’s restaurants, pubs and clubs. Harbour-side entertainment can be found on the stylish boardwalks of Cullen Bay Marina, Skycity Casino, the legendary Mindil Beach, and quirky Ski Club or Sailing Club which boast spectacular sunsets.

Local restaurants and markets offer a variety of cuisines and atmospheres, but make sure that you tuck into some authentic Territory fare like mud crabs, Barramundi, buffalo, kangaroo and crocodile.

With more than 50 nationalities making up its population and the proximity of South East Asia, it is no surprise that Darwin serves up a rich diversity of culinary experiences. Fresh produce abounds, with Top End fare offering visitors a truly unique fusion of contemporary Australian, Mediterranean, Indian and South East Asian cuisine.

From Thai paw-paw salad, Malaysian laksa and Indonesian satays, to the traditional Greek baklava or char-grilled octopus, Indian mango lassi and quintessential Australian steak; Darwin’s taste for the exotic delivers an array of gastronomic choice.

Much of the city’s social activities take place at open air markets, outdoor festivals, in parks and reserves, by the beach or on boats down on Darwin Harbour. Even movie buffs prefer to enjoy their films under the stars at the famous Deckchair Cinema.

Take time to indulge in the open air Asian-style markets at Parap, Nightcliff and Mindil Beach. Relish the flavour of five continents, browse locally made arts and crafts, and watch local entertainers perform. No holiday to Darwin in the Dry Season is complete without a visit to the charismatic Mindil Beach Sunset Markets every Thursday and Sunday night.

At some stage you probably will visit Mitchell Street, Darwin's tourist strip, that is lined with travel agents, cafés and bars, and the place to find budget and backpacker accommodation. However, be careful in the wee hours as this nightlife strip is notorious for alcohol-fueled loutish behaviour, especially around the clubs at the lower end. It's also not the place to stay if you want a good night's sleep.

Some of the best pubs to visit are Irish: Shennanigan's and Kitty O'Shea's are quite popular - you can catch a live show or just sit back and relax with a pint.

Besides the pubs and clubs on Mitchell Street, there are venues in the city where you can catch theatre, comedy and even opera. If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at the craps table at the nearby casino, too. One of the coolest clubs in town is the Discovery Nightclub - they've got live bands, DJs and all sorts of goings-on here that will keep you partying into the wee hours of the morning.

Top Ten Night Spots

1. Wisdom: built on the site of a former dental surgery, Wisdom stands out as one of Darwin’s newest bars, and it’s not just due to the bright blue exterior. Opening early and closing late, Wisdom offers al fresco dining all day and plenty of standing room inside the bar as the night rolls on. 48 Mitchell St.

www.wisdombar.com.au

2. The Deck Bar: sip a G&T or icy cold beer in the shade on the enormous deck perfect for people watching. NT House, 22 Mitchell St. 

www.thedeckbar.com.au

3. The Tap: set beneath a huge melaleuca tree this beautifully landscaped alfresco beer garden is the perfect spot for a drink with friends. Try their signature cocktail ‘The Fishbowl’ and be sure to check out the interesting taps in the bathrooms. 58 Mitchell St. 

www.thetap.com.au

4. Shenannigans: get up to some monkey business as Shenannigans entertains you with live music and DJs. There’s a la carte dining to tempt you away from the bar…and a 2am bar license to lure you back again. 69 Mitchell St. 

www.shenannigans.com.au

5. Happy Yess: small, funky and retro, Happy Yess is Darwin’s favourite arts and music lounge – a not-for-profit venue that caters to the emerging alternative arts scene in Darwin. In addition to regular karaoke nights, poetry readings and film screenings, local and interstate bands perform an eclectic mix of tunes. Open from 8pm Thursday to Saturday. Smith St and Harry Chan Av (Brown’s Mart Building).

www.happyyess.com