The People Have Spoken: These Are The Cultural Icons You Chose For This Year’s U:L 100

Here at Urban List, we’re all about backing real human stories with lasting impact. That’s why we’ve just launched the inaugural Urban List 100 in partnership with Uber One Exclusive Tables, to shine a spotlight on the cultural forces driving what’s new, what’s next, and the people and ideas behind our ever-evolving cities.

And since the best recs always come from our culture seekers on the ground, we decided to pass the mic—the last ten spots in the U:L 100 are informed by two People's Choice picks in each category, and we've finished successfully gathering the results. Presented by Uber One, these selects are the who, what and where of culture in 2026, according to you.

Hospo Legends

These are the local venues delivering seriously good food, genuine hospitality and real value—deeply embedded in their communities and shaping how Australia eats and gathers.

Bar Love

Perth, WA

Bar Love is one of Australia’s finest, the platonic lovechild of industry icons and besties Pippa Canavan and Murray Walsh. While their cocktails are world class, this isn’t a place that takes itself seriously, with 70s-inspired decor crowded with playful kitsch pieces, cool tunes and a martini so dirty they call it “grotty”. 

Corner 75

Sydney, NSW

Corner 75’s new owners have preserved the culture and soul of this 40-year-old icon, while finding fresh takes on tradition. It’s the same humble facade, history-crowded walls and lively crowds, and classics like the enormous schnitzel aren’t going anywhere.

Unforgettable Stays

Design-forward hotels, off-grid escapes and character-rich stays that capture the spirit of a place and elevate the travel experience from check-in to check-out.

Miss Midgley's

Brisbane, QLD

Miss Midgley’s is more than luxury self-contained accommodation. This is one of Brisbane's oldest heritage buildings, a terrace cottage stylishly refurbished by a mother-daughter architect team with a sympathetic mingling of charming original features and a refreshed aesthetic. 

Clifftop at Hepburn

Melbourne, VIC

Precision engineered for romance or get-away-from-it-all escapes, Clifftop at Hepburn offers architecturally designed villas, including converted shipping containers, fitted out with luxurious comforts and unparalleled views over the gorge and bushland. 

Musical Innovators

Artists shaping the future of Australia’s live music scene—influencing sound, venues and the next generation of homegrown talent.

Cooper Smith

Melbourne, VIC

Cooper Smith is an unstoppable musical force. This young Melbourne DJ with Cerebral Palsy is a shooting star blazing a trail for an inclusive future of music. Playing sets at nightclubs and major festivals here and abroad (even the Australian Open), he connects people on the dancefloor with pure joy, sharing his passion and advocating for accessibility in music spaces.

Nazty Gurl

Sydney, NSW

Innovator and tastemaker, Nazty Gurl (Nazlıcan Eren) is one of Sydney’s coolest young selectors and radio presenters. Her sets are packed out and electric, whether at Phoenix Central Park, Dayshift parties, Chinese Laundry or international venues, tapping into genres from hip-hop to experimental rap and alt R&B.

Scene Shapers

The leaders, creatives and activists driving meaningful change—amplifying others, sharing the mic and redefining what leadership in culture looks like.

Shay Leighton

Melbourne, VIC

By creating the Tough Guy Book Club, Shay Leighton is changing the way men communicate and connect. Sure, it’s about reading interesting, thought-provoking books and chatting about it, but it’s so much more than a pub meetup. It gives men a community and a space for stories, tackling loneliness and mental health with friendship and support networks.

Julia Rangiheuea

Sydney, NSW

Creator of the Soberly Speaking podcast, Julia Rangiheuea is giving a new voice to conversations around addiction, helping people share their stories and building a real community of people who connect with these struggles, dark moments and taboo topics.

Unique Experiences

Think one-of-a-kind moments that define how we spend time off the clock—immersive, memorable and culturally resonant long after they end.

Footloose Fun

Brisbane, QLD

Bootscooting is kicking off, big time, and Footloose Fun is at the head of the line. Agricultural journalist and dance teacher Claire Harris has set boots stomping in Queensland since 2024, with beginner-friendly and inclusive line-dancing for all dance abilities. 

High Tide

Melbourne, VIC

Run by couple Paige Aubort and Søren Poulsen, High Tide is a sex shop that feels warm, stylish and, well, pleasurable! Beautifully curated, like a high-end boutique, all the toys and equipment are high quality and thoughtfully selected for a variety of bodies.

To check out the full list of nominees, head here. 

Image credit: Corner 75 | Supplied