Are you longing for a little mid-week fun? How about a memorable Friday night with your buddies or a great spot for a first date? Then you have to check out Sydney, Australia. A hub of well-known attractions, architecture, and culture, Sydney’s CBD is also known for some of the best bars.
But before you grab your coat for a night out, you’ll want to pick the right venue. Make sure you pick a watering hole that will offer you more than just a good drink — find a spot guaranteed to give you a good time. You don’t want a place that’ll break the bank, but some quality entertainment wouldn’t hurt either.
Thankfully, Sydney NSW doesn’t disappoint. You’ve got great options around every corner of King Street, Pitt Street, Clarence Street, the Sydney CBD, along Sydney Harbour, and other parts of the area. Here are some of the best places for happy hour or drinks out with friends around Sydney!
Have Endless Fun at Hundreds of Bars and Pubs in Sydney
Because most people’s idea of fun usually involves a good bottle of natural wine, beer, or other some great cocktails, here’s a little refresher on some of the coolest bars in Sydney. Once you check these out, you’ll know exactly where to go to enjoy a tasty cocktail or delicious drink in the city.
You can have your weekend schedule all mapped out and, at the same time, learn about the best Sydney bars and hangouts in the Northern Beaches and hipster hotspots tucked in the inner-city hideaways.
Learn about Sydney’s hole-in-the-wall CBD hangouts, the best rooftop bars with the city skyline as a backdrop, as well as the city’s bistros that serve strong drinks and include a panoramic view of the local life.
1. Switch on the Reveler’s Button at Sydney’s Rock N’ Roll Button Bar
Consider the Button bar and its great selection of drinks and food. This establishment has been uniquely described as a trendy, pirate-themed enclave. Tucked behind a modern wooden door, the Button Bar is the ideal place for those cherished weeknight dates.
On Saturdays, the Button bar comes alive with exciting cocktail sling stations that are the experience of a lifetime. Guests are even invited to join in on a thrilling sing-a-long to great music, following the 10:30 pm rock n’ roll classics. Now, who could ask for anything more from a bar night?
Address: 65 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
Phone Number: (02) 9211 1544
Website: houseofpocket.com.au
2. Taste Sydney’s High Spirits at the Stillery, Double Bay
Stillery Double Bay is a five-star Intercontinental hotel which is located in Double Bay. The joint was recently renovated and now features modern upgrades that make it so attractive. Moreover, Double Bay recently inaugurated a lavish new gin palace where you can enjoy more than 60 local and imported gin varieties.
Each drink in the rich Double Bay cocktail menu features a different type of gin, served with complementing botanical ingredients. You can actually sample the various components, including thyme, strawberry, fresh lemon, sage, pink grapefruit, basil oil, and blackberry. You won’t believe how well-balanced and incredibly refreshing these medleys are.
You can even sample some rare, vintage bottles too. Whether you’re a gin virgin or the finest connoisseur in town, visit Double Bay — it’ll open your eyes and your taste buds. There’s a definite guarantee that you’ll be dancing by the end of the night.
Address: InterContinental Sydney, 33 Cross St, Double Bay NSW 2028, Australia
Phone Number: (02) 8388 8388
Website: doublebay.intercontinental.com
3. Get Your Feet Wet and Sample the Fugitive Life at Sydney’s Stowaway Bar
Stowaway Bar is widely considered to be the evergreen watering hole. It’s located strategically at the heart of Manly, which is the name given to the neighbouring Freshwater suburb. Here, visitors are welcome to enjoy the tapped Four Pines local brew. They can also sample a fantastic wine spread and lots of cocktail bar goodies. You’ll find all your classic cocktails here.
At Stowaway, you have the chance to taste the Northern Beaches lifestyle. The exciting description of the menu offered at Stowaway includes the Vodka Cocktail, Fireball Whiskey, Campfire Louie, Smoked and Lemon Cinnamon, Applewood Okar, and Mango Puree.
By the end of your visit to Stowaway, you should be prepared to have your hair salty and your feet wet from those ocean vibes. Oh and the live music too!
Address: 18/1-3 Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096, Australia
Phone Number: (02) 9905 2038
Website: stowawaybar.com
4. Sample the Incredible Menu and Drinks at Koi Dessert Bar, Chippendale
Reynold Poernomo, who was a 2015 Masterchef contestant, opened the long-awaited dessert bar, which he named Koi. This small bar is a great place with glass paneling and an excellent food menu. It’s a popular establishment in the Chippendale dining and drink culture.
The Bar has an excellent bar snacks menu. While at Koi, you can enjoy their staple of delicious dishes. And the game-changer here is the restaurant’s dessert menu. Along with its unusual drinks, Koi offers other delicacies. You’ll find raspberry gel, chocolate almond soil, consomme jelly, chocolate almond soil, strawberry ganache on their peculiar list of ingredients.
Unless you’re careful, you might just find yourself ordering virtually every item in the Koi bar’s delicious menu.
Address: 46 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia
Phone Number: (02) 9212 1230
Website: opentable.com.au
6. Visit the Unicorn, Paddington; Aussies’ Top House of Revelers
The popular Unicorn Pub, Paddington, has now been renovated and brought back to life. It was not, however, meant to be merely a small hipster bar. Why, with sumptuous dishes like chips and burger, mash with schnitty, and steak, the Unicorn still retains its trademark appear as a local Aussie alehouse.
The Unicorn also offers a wide variety of drinks in its reliably down-to-earth atmosphere. While here, enjoy the music of legendary Resch’s and Coopers as well as the popular XXXX and VB. The Unicorn has lived up to its billing as Sydney’s foremost house of revellers, complete with top-notch Aussie craft beers, a robust wine list and cocktail list, art, music, and food.
The establishment owes its resurging fame to the exceptional management of Kenny Graham. He is co-owner of the famous Mary’s entertainment spot, Oscar McMahon of Young Henry, and Elvis Abrahanowicz of the popular Porteno’s.
Even More Australian Bars
- Baxter Inn (with its great New York style vibe)
- Shady Pines Saloon
- Lobo Plantation
- Bulletin Place bar
Address:106 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021, Australia
Website: deliveroo.com.au
Honourable Mentions
Already visited all the options on the list above? Here are some other places for signature cocktails with your friends!
- Grandma’s Bar
- Door Knock
- Bar Conte Surry Hills
- Cantina OK CBD
- The Blind Bear Speakeasy Bar
- Shell House
- Wild Rover
- Old Mate’s Place
- Sky Bar CBD
- Jacoby’s Tiki Bar
- Maybe Sammy
- Bar Planet Newtown
Conclusion
Thousands of local and international tourists flock to Sydney every month. This city’s famous hot spots are perfect for anyone who wants to follow the latest in trendy culture.
But nothing makes you feel quite at home like meeting up for a drink at the local pub. Luckily, Sydney features hundreds of top-class bars, pubs, and restaurants that cater to every taste. Stocked with high-value local and international gins, wines, beers, they have everything a drink enthusiast could crave.
Many of these venues cater to rock-n-rollers and RnB fans. And they have limitless room for a rambunctious crowd looking to have a good time and a few drinks. Make a point of visiting Sydney’s top-class bars and pubs.
