Great — here are practical, stylish options and tips for going straight from the beach to a bar in Australia (warm-climate, casual-to-smart-casual sensibility).

Quick principles

• Layers: lightweight cover-up + a small evening layer (shirt, jacket, or light cardigan).
• Fabrics: quick-dry, breathable natural blends (linen, cotton) or technical blends that look good wet or dry.
• Footwear: bring one pair that’s beach-friendly to the bar (or an easy swap). Avoid sandy shoes inside.
• Accessories: let them dress the look up — jewellery, a belt, a hat removed at the bar.
• Respect venue: beach bars and pub beer gardens are casual; rooftop/inner-city bars may require smarter shoes or collared shirts.

Women — outfit combos

• Swim + breezy midi dress (linen/viscose) over swimwear + flat sandals or espadrilles. Remove beach hat, add simple jewelry for evening.
• High-waist shorts + lightweight button-down shirt worn open as a cover-up + slide sandals or clean sneakers. Swap to heeled sandals or wedges for a smarter bar.
• Swimsuit + sarong/wrap + cropped top or camisole and ankle wrap sandals. Add a denim jacket for cooler nights.
• Jumpsuit or playsuit in breathable fabric (easy to throw on over swimsuit) + strappy sandals or block heels.

Men — outfit combos

• Swim trunks + short-sleeve button-up (linen or cotton) worn open over a tee or bare chest + leather sandals or canvas espadrilles. Button up for smarter bars.
• Swim trunks + lightweight polo or plain tee + clean sneakers (salt-friendly) or slip-on loafers.
• Swim shorts + linen trousers (pulled on over swim) + short-sleeve shirt + casual leather sandals.
• If heading to an upscale bar: swap to chinos, a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, and closed shoes.

Footwear specifics

• Sand-friendly but presentable: leather or faux-leather slides, espadrilles, Birkenstock-style sandals, slip-on espadrilles, clean canvas sneakers.
• Avoid: beach flip-flops in smarter bars (unless waterfront casual); wet leather that can be damaged.

What to pack/bring

• Light cover-up (shirt, sarong, kaftan, button-down)
• Second pair of shoes (compact sandals or espadrilles) or foldable flats
• Small towel or microfibre towel (dries fast)
• Lightweight jacket or denim for cooler evenings
• Small toiletries: deodorant, dry shampoo, face wipes, sunscreen (reapply before going in)
• Zip-lock bag for wet swimwear or sandy items

Grooming & styling tips

• Towel-dry hair and use dry shampoo or leave-in spray; tie hair up for a polished look.
• A quick layer of SPF-free face powder keeps shine down in photos and under lights.
• Minimal jewelry and a watch/bracelet instantly elevate a beach look without bulk.

Weather and venue cues

• Coastal towns (Byron Bay, Bondi, Noosa): very casual — swim + nice cover-up usually fine.
• City rooftop bars (Sydney, Melbourne): aim smarter: collared shirt or a neat dress + closed-toe or smart sandals.
• If unsure, opt for “smart-casual”: clean shoes, neat top, and a lightweight outer layer.

Examples (one-minute decisions)

• Woman: black one-piece + printed midi skirt + leather slides + hoop earrings + denim jacket.
• Man: patterned swim trunks + white linen shirt untucked + slip-on espadrilles + watch.

If you tell me the city (e.g., Bondi, Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Sydney CBD) or the type of bar (casual beachfront pub vs rooftop cocktail bar), I’ll give 2–3 targeted outfit combos.