Sydney
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Sydney’s bar game is well-known Australia-wide. There are options to keep you covered no matter what sort of vibe you are into. Whether you want dive bars, wine bars, crazy cocktails or a classic pub, there are plenty of spots to choose from.
So how do you choose? Sure, you could spend your time trying them all out to shortlist your favourites, or you could skip all of that and read on for our shortlist below! We’ve tried and compiled the best bars in Sydney so you can skip the line and get straight to the top shelf options.
Bungalow 8 is a tiki-inspired bar that sits nicely along King Street Wharf in the CBD. Does this make it a perfect location for an after-work getaway drink? Yes, yes it does.
Known for their affordable cocktail jugs, the pacific theme runs rife through the drinks and food menus. Accompany your jug of Pimms with classic favourites like tacos or schnitty. At the end of the week, watch the venue transform into one of Sydney’s hottest nightlife destinations.
Whether you’re after a long lunch, a cocktail-filled afternoon, after-work drinks or dancing into the early hours of the morning, Bungalow 8 is an idyllic destination any time of the day, all week long.
Cargo is the Sydney waterside bar influenced by New York City in the 1980s. Two decades of hosting epic parties and memorable weekend nights, it remains a favourite in the Sydney nightlife scene. The cocktails are to die for, served in pitchers for you and a group of friends to enjoy at the same time.
The menu is packed with street-style eats, and we strongly recommend trying out some snacks & shares perfect to enjoy with your friends. The selection of pizza is also a strong standout that pairs perfectly with a craft beer.
After your tum is full, you can order some more drinks, then dance the night away to the regularly featured DJs from Thursday to Sunday. If it’s been a while since you brought the crew together for some fun, Cargo is the spot to do it.
Any bar on a rooftop in the Sydney CBD will provide a specific feel that is nearly unbeatable, and The Rook is no exception. This tucked-away venue is an if-you-know-you-know type of place that locals love to call their own. The graffiti-covered walls and retractable roof house a spot where you can pair sophisticated cocktails with simple burgers.
Why does this combo work? Because this is not the place where you’ll pick up a simple martini. Instead, you’ll find the Spritz Me Baby One More Time (We love Britney. We love Pornstar Martini’s. So here you go: Vodka, Vanilla, Passionfruit, Lime & Bubbles.) or a Sunset Sour (We’re holding on to summer at all costs. Gin, Vanilla Liqueur, Aperol, Lemon, Orange, Egg Whites. Up, Velvety, and Delicious.). The weird and wonderful come to play here.
The burger list will seem a little more familiar with southern fried chicken, or you can opt for lobster rolls. Whether it be lunch, dinner, or an afternoon tipple, you can enjoy delicious eats with a drink or two, and finish up with some donut fries! It’s absolutely a thing.
If you are the type of person who enjoys their cocktails by the beach, Little Peal Bar is your spot. Positioned right next to Manly Beach, this all-day restaurant and bar is the solution for a waterside drink or meal – especially in summer.
Little Pearl Bar is a daily lunch and dinner served daily spot with snacks in between. If you are ready for a fun weekend, we recommend Brunch with Soul every Saturday or live acoustic music on Sundays.
Little Pearl has plenty of entertainment from their live music roster known as the ‘Sunset Sessions’ happy hours that feature $10 wines and spritzes and the very popular $12 meals every Monday to Thursday from 5 – 6 pm.
The menu dishes up a range of Asian cuisines like popcorn bug sliders, sashimi and dumplings and some fantastic Asian-style salads. Of course, you’ll be able to pair this with an extensive cocktail or spritz menu and all of the other required wine, beer, and non-alcoholic options as well. So enjoy the water views and something delicious over the weekend at Little Pearl Bar!
If you are out and about in Surry Hills, The Winery is an impressive restaurant and bar that offers both indoor and outdoor areas for nibbles, meals, desserts, cocktails, and, you guessed it, wine!
While there are plenty of cocktails and beers on offer, the menu is a wine lover’s dream. As an extension to this, The Winery also has a Champagne Room on the upper floor where they host their weekly weekend Bottomless Brunches. It runs multiple sessions both Saturday & Sunday and books out in advance so we recommend planning ahead!
From luxury Champagne to Australian and international wines, you’ll be able to explore them all inside private booths. It’s a fancy affair made even fancier by the food menu of freshly shucked oysters, artisan burrata and more. So if you are feeling boujee, this is the place to go.
Let’s include one more rooftop bar for good measure because, to be fair, rooftop bars are the best bars! In Barangaroo, Untied Rooftop is one of the best and the only rooftop option in the precinct!
This bar mixes fruity cocktails with modern Australian dishes mixing sophistication with some classic Aussie feels & banging plant-based options. The menu is for sharing with a selection of small plates, mains and delicious burgers. The cocktail list is extremely tropical, from which the standout is the Flamin Galah (Gordon’s Gin, Triple Sec, watermelon, grapefruit, coconut) tailored to those with a sweet tooth.
On weekends, Untied brings you a one-of-a-kind Brunch with Soul brunch with roaming singers on Saturdays & a Vegan Bottomless Brunch on Sundays!
If you are looking for an unpretentious spot that looks like it should be, Untied is a lot of fun! Plus, your taste buds will thank you.
While we know there are almost too many bar options in Sydney, our experts have vetted this list to help you head straight to the good ones. Australia Venue Co is responsible for the most popular venues in the country and is continually working to keep them at the top of the list.
Grab your friends, explore the list above and choose your favourites. We guarantee that a Sydney bar you’ll absolutely love is listed in the options above; now, you just have to go out and experience it for yourself.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Australian Venue Co. acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Australian Venue Co. is a place free from discrimination, where everyone belongs. We respect and celebrate the diversity of our communities, including people of all cultural and faith backgrounds, classes, gender and sexual identities, ages and abilities and we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all.
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