Bars & Pubs

The 29 Best Bars In Sydney Right Now (Updated 2024)

By Sammy Preston
16th Feb 2024

Vermuteria bar, one of the best bars in Sydney

Sydney/Eora has really upped its bar game in the past few years. We’ve embraced creativity, luxury, and the best ideas from abroad to create a cosmopolitan bar scene that feels elevated from the days of yore. We’re now home to some of the most exciting bartenders and bars in the entire world—with a few placements on the World's 50 Best bars list to prove it.

From garage bars dedicated to ancient spirits to hidden wine bars with Midnight in Paris vibes and hotel lobby bars guaranteed to take your breath away at sunset—if you're thirsty, Sydney's bar scene is here for you. Without further ado, here’s Urban List's pick of the best bars in Sydney right now.

Apollonia

5-7 Young Street Basement Level, Sydney CBD

best bars in sydney apollonia circular quayImage credit: Apollonia | Supplied 

Taking the top spot on our list is Apollonia. Hidden in the basement beneath Hinchcliff House, the four-storey Italian-inspired mega restaurant, this moody underground bar is inspired by Michael Corleone's Sicilian wife in Mario Puzo's book The Godfather.

In fact, nearly every aspect pays homage to the romantic but tragic love story between him and Apollonia, from each menu chapter to the bar's decor. There's even a nightly midnight toast to Michael's love at first sight "thunderbolt" or "colpo di fulmine".

You'll find Italian and Australian Amari, bitters, whiskies, and gins, with plenty of cocktails on offer. And don't worry if you're hungry late, with the bar serving rotating Sicilian-style late-night snacks available every night until 2.30am.

Cantina OK!

Council Place, Sydney CBD

best bars in sydney cantina ok cbdImage credit: Cantina OK! | Instagram

In the year Sydney discovered mezcal, tequila's smokier, sexier sibling, Cantina OK! led the charge. The self-described “micro mezcal mecca” is tucked away at the end of an otherwise suspicious-looking laneway—as many good bars are these days. Cantina OK! is one of only two Australian bars currently on the World's 50 Best Bars list—so yeah, you need to visit. 

If you’re not into mezcal yet, go to Cantina Ok! with the goal of learning from the highly knowledgeable staff. This is a space for drinking and learning about a spirit that is still fairly underappreciated.

Maybe Sammy

115 Harrington Street, The Rocks

best bars in sydney maybe sammy the rocksImage credit: Maybe Sammy | Supplied 

If you've done some research about bars in Sydney, chances are you've already heard about Maybe Sammy. Let's just say, this bar deserves all the hype—it even holds a spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.. The interiors are inspired by the glamour of a 1950s Rat Pack-era hotel bar (which is arguably the best era of cocktails).

Maybe Sammy’s greatest claims to fame are the award-winning cocktail shakers behind the bar: co-owner Martin Hudak and bar manager Paolo Maffietti. These guys whip up a string of signature cocktails that are a little left of centre (in the best way possible), with an immersive service style and plenty of fun and whimsy.

Bar Conte

340 Riley Street, Surry Hills

best bars in sydney bar conte surry hillsImage credit: Bar Conte | Supplied 

Love a Negroni? Say hello to Sydney's first-of-its-kind dedicated Negroni bar, with over 20 iterations on the cards. Yes, Bar Conte is an ode to one of our favourite neon red cocktails and to Count Camillo Negroni—the count, adventurer, and lover of gin.

Negroni enthusiasts are a special bunch, and Bar Conte's co-owner Raffaele Lombard counts himself among them. A dedicated Negroni and aperitivo bar for Sydney has been a dream of his for over a decade.

"The Negroni is my drink of choice," he explains. "And [it] has been since I was a young man growing up in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. It's bitter, strong, and clean—the ultimate pre-dinner drink. We felt it deserved its own dedicated bar.”

Ante

146 King Street, Newtown 

the bar at ante one of the best bars in sydneyImage credit: Ante | Instagram 

Vinyl tunes, sake sips, and excellent snacks. Ante is a special spot and one of Sydney's few bars paying homage to authentic Japanese listening rooms. 

The drinks list includes 65 sake varietals from 21 different makers across Japan (as well as alternatives and low-alcohol options), with a seasonally changing menu designed to complement the sips on offer. 

Expect to leave Ante with a newfound appreciation for sake (and, perhaps, a jazz artist to pursue at home—the records that line the walls form the venue's suave soundtrack). 

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Ace Hotel Lobby Bar

47-53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney CBD

Image credit: Ace Hotel Sydney | Instagram

With sunken leather lounges, olive leaf martinis, and a roster of some of Sydney's coolest DJs and live music on weekends, the lobby bar at Ace Hotel Sydney is the place to be on a Friday night. 

The hotel's drinks program has been put together by P&V's Mike Bennie and the lobby bar serves up everything from Mecca Coffee to wines by the glass, craft beer, and a neat list of signature cocktails.

At the lobby bar, you can tuck into snacks picked from the menu at LOAM, the hotel's ground floor restaurant, while you sip Pet Nat or chilled red and soak up the slick vibes of this effortlessly cool spot. 

Sky Bar At Shell House

37 Margaret Street, Sydney CBD

the bar at Sky Bar Shell House, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Shell House | Instagram 

Perched on top of the stunning heritage building at Wynyard, Sky Bar is one part of the three-venue dining experience at Shell House.

There's a stunning outdoor terrace space, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors throughout which help give this rooftop bar a desirable inside-outside vibe, and the drinks list is packed with signature cocktails and premium wines available by the glass and bottle.

Bar snacks from culinary director Joel Bickford and head chef Aaron Ward will set the mood and keep you satisfied, with options like raw tuna, rock oysters, pickled mussels, and coal-roasted quail. Honourable mention also goes to Shell House's downstairs drinking spot, Menzies Bar, which is an excellent spot to sink a few martinis (especially when their $10 during happy hour).

Re

Shop 8/2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh

best bars in sydney re eveleighImage credit: Re | Supplied 

"Re" made an immediate impression as the world's only permanent establishment to operate almost entirely off of waste products and recycled materials.

From award-winning bartender Matt Whiley and restaurateur Maurice Terzini, the bar's focus on sustainability is a major drawcard, and guarantees a few unexpected elements.

With uncompromising quality, everything is considered for the absolute least amount of waste from glassware and garnishes to the recycled bottle and Tupperware-made table and food menu from restaurant food waste.

El Primo Sanchez

27-33 Oxford Street, Paddington

the bar at El Primo Sanchez, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: El Primo Sanchez | Supplied 

Maybe Sammy, but make it Mexican. With three entries on this best bars list and a stack of awards, it's safe to say the Maybe Sammy Group is pretty good at bars.

El Primo Sanchez is where the crew flexes their skills with Margaritas, mezcal, and an authentic Mexican menu. Here the vibes are always high, the Margs are served cold in custom glassware, and the De Pastor tacos with pork belly cooked over coals are legit.

There's dancing on tables, crazy coloured lights in the ceiling, and a two-person karaoke room with a "push for tequila" button. There's even a secret hidden bar within El Primo Sanchez called La Prima serving special cocktails and rare Mexican spirits—you just have to know where to find it. 

SPON

256 King Street, Newtown

Best bars sydney - Spon NewtownImage credit: SPON | Instagram

The concept for SPON is simple and refreshing—and yet totally unique to Sydney: a bottle shop where you can try before you buy.

From the Odd Culture group, expect to see a strong edit of natural wine filling the aisles and fridges. You can shop wine to take home, or stay a while and try SPON's unique by-the-glass concept. Select a vino from the chalkboard menu of opened bottles—If the bottle of your favourite style has run dry, it's up to you to select the next bottle to pour. 

Simple snacks from the Odd Culture kitchen like charcuterie, cheese, and tuna crudo with potato chips are on the menu to pair with your wine and enjoy at the bar, the French oak communal table inside, or in the front window overlooking King Street.

Bar Besuto

3 Underwood Street, Sydney CBD

top-shelf whisky at Bar Besuto, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Bar Besuto | Jude Cohen

Bar Besuto is a shrine to top-shelf Japanese whisky—and an extension of the experience of one of Sydney's best omakase, Besuto. Owner and keen collector Joel Best has essentially opened the doors to his coveted whisky collection. 

Sample a few single malt sips from the award-winning Yamazaki distillery in one of Bar Besuto's special whisky flights, while venue manager Jake Errey schools you on everything from Mizunara oak casks to whether or not to water down your nip.

If you're not here to mess around, Best has ultra-rare bottles from the likes of Chichibu Distillery and excellent tales to tell on how he managed to acquire them. To eat, the snack menu is akin to what you'd find at Besuto proper: the "steak frites" is a delightful square of miso potato topped with wagyu and caviar.

best bars Sydney quote

Bar Planet

16 Enmore Road, Newtown

best bars in sydney bar planet newtown martini barImage credit: Bar Planet | Nikki To

If you thought martinis were having a little renaissance these days, you'd be absolutely right. Proving the point is the dedicated martini bar from the Mucho Aloha hospitality group, the award-winning team behind Cantina OK! and Tio's. 

Called Bar Planet, here the team is shifting its focus from margaritas to martinis, expanding out from their original city and Surry Hills haunts into the beating heart of the Inner West. At Bar Planet, you can expect your martinis to be nothing short of intergalactic.

To craft their signature Bar Planet martini, the team collaborated with Marrickville distillery Poor Tom's to create a "living" base spirit. The resulting house martini is smooth, theatrical, and dirty AF—served with both lemon and olive, giving this timeless cocktail the luxe treatment it deserves. 

Eau De Vie

285 George Street, Sydney CBD

The red lamplit bar at Eau de Vie, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Eau de Vie | Supplied 

Eau de Vie is one of Sydney's most-awarded cocktail bars. Once a secluded Darlinghurst drinking hole, the bar has since changed addresses, opening up in the basement of a heritage building in the CBD for a new era of late nights and whisky flights. 

Expect a dimly lit and jazz-soaked atmosphere, the signature whisky room, and private whisky lockers. A few of the OG cocktails have made it back onto the menu—like the EDV take on the Espresso Martini. Dubbed "Espresso Zabaione", it comes with your choice of vodka, rum, or whisky. It's stirred down with cold drip coffee and a touch of maple syrup before being topped with a saffron and vanilla mousse that's chilled and frozen with liquid nitrogen. 

We also recommend trying the EDV Blazer (an Old Fashioned). It's made with Diplomatico Mantuano rum, whisky, scotch ale, and PX syrup—and comes either blazed and hot or served chilled over a hefty chunk of ice. 

Piccolo

6 Roslyn Street, Potts Point 

best bars in sydney piccolo potts point kings crossImage credit: Piccolo Bar | Instagram 

Bathed in cherry red neon light, Piccolo Bar is as jam-packed with charm as she is with guests eagerly sipping aged Amari, snacking on anchovies, and soaking in the iconic setting.

This Potts Point bar is all about aperitivo, so you can be sure there’s a strong selection of spritzes, Italian classics, and Negroni twists, but there’s also a solid whiskey list. Swing by between 4pm and 5pm for $13 cocktails.

As for a go-to order? These guys were stirring up Negroni sbagliatos well before Emma D’Arcy's moment.

Enmore Country Club

182 Enmore Road, Enmore

best bars in sydney enmore country club enmoreImage credit: Enmore Country Club | Instagram

Do you like  piña coladas? Served icy cold and topped with maraschino cherries, Enmore Country Club does this vintage cocktail justice, nailing the 70s dive bar aesthetic at the same time.

Perch at the toffee-coloured resin bar or grab a table along the timber-clad walls for larger groups. Then, settle in with the short but punchy drinks list—cocktails are listed on the back of coasters, and natural wines and beers are projected onto the wall above the bar.

From the duo behind The Sunshine Inn, The Little Guy, and The Golden Gully, with some help from the Doom Juice crew, Enmore Country Club is high energy and lots of fun. And if you don't like piña colada for us, the spiked cherry cola is also a vibe. 

Vermuteria

60 Kings Cross Road, Darlinghurst

Image credit: Vermuteria | Supplied

Described as an aperitif wine bar and delicatessen, Vermuteria follows the style of its iconic sibling Piccolo Bar, this time in the site that housed the 24-hour Hernandez Café for 50 years.

Naturally, vermouth features, available from the barrel or on tap, as well as a selection of sherries, classic cocktails and spritzes, and a few wines and beers. The Vermuteria martini is a must, served with a ludicrously capacious green olive.

On the snacks front, there are simple and satisfying nibbles like anchovies with baguette and butter, gildas and charcuterie plates, plus warm bites like four-cheese toasties and a bougie hot dog with LP's Quality Meats chorizo (everything is begging to be paired with vermouth, basically). 

Hickson House Distilling Co.

6 Hickson Road, The Rocks

The large bar at Hickson House distillery, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Hickson House Distilling Co. | Instagram

From Mikey Enright and Julian Train (The Duke of Clarence and The Barber Shop) and Tim Stones (Manly Spirits), Hickson House Distilling Co. took over the old Saatchi & Saatchi garage and has been shaking up The Rocks drinking scene ever since.

Sit in sight of the distillery's custom-made copper stills and order from the martini menu or the range of rare whiskies, or head upstairs to the more intimate mezzanine High & Dry Bar and grab a bite from the locally-sourced, botanically-inspired menu with share plates like kangaroo tartare or salt-roasted split prawns.

From the five-part martini menu, we love the Pearl, made with oyster-infused Hickson Harbour Strength Gin, nori vermouth, Acqua Bianca liqueur, and samphire.

Little Felix

2a Ash Street, Sydney CBD

best bars in sydney little felix cbdImage credit: Little Felix | Supplied 

Little Felix is the moody cocktail bar in the heart of Merivale's Ivy Precinct. “Our aim at Little Felix was to take the opulent hotel bars of early 20th century Paris and bring them into the modern-day,” Bar Manager Joseph Stephens explains.

“We’ve based our cocktails, food, and spirit offering on what would not feel out of place if served at the Ritz bar during that legendary era.” As the little sister of Felix restaurant next door, you’ll recognise that French elegance runs in the genes.

As for what to order, Little Felix does one of the best Penecillins in town. The Laphroaig float is poured tableside for effect. 

Old Mate’s Place

 Level 4/199 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD

best bars in sydney old mate's place cbdImage credit: Old Mate's Place | Rocket Weijers 

This Clarence Street institution puts hospitality first, making it one of Sydney's most popular city drinking spots. 

“Our philosophy is pretty much making sure that the person in front of us, and anyone that comes in, feels welcome and has a great time,” co-owner Dre Walters says. “Bars are meant to be fun and a place to go to relax so if we can facilitate that then we go home at the end of the day happy.”

For an establishment that lacks pretension, it boasts a pretty impressive pedigree, with Dre hailing from Kittyhawk and Lobo Plantation, and fellow cocktail connoisseur Daniel Noble grooving in from Ramblin’ Rascal. Oh, and did we mention it has a rooftop? You'll want to plan ahead for this one and get in early too—the queues can be wild. 

PS40

40 King Street, Sydney CBD

A cocktail from PS40, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: PS40 | Instagram 

PS40 is a remarkably niche idea that somehow works, due to the quality and creativity of what is being served; this is a bar that's dedicated to bottling, selling, and serving sodas.

“PS40 is dedicated to just being a good bar at its core, offering the best hospitality every day while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary drinks and experience,” bar manager Peter Seabrook says.

The team has a soda bottling area on-site and is focused on concoctions crafted from Australian native ingredients. They’re also free of preservatives and refined sugars! The menu literally changes daily—try your luck with what's on offer.

Employees Only

9a Barrack Street, Sydney CBD

the emerald bar at Employees Only, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Employees Only | Instagram

This New York City icon was originally intended as a bar for those with a vested interest in the hospitality industry.

Employees Only was founded on the philosophy that there's no better clientele for your bar than those who work in service in the hospitality industry,” Bar Manager Robert Kreuger says.As it turns out, it’s not just hospo folks who appreciate a top quality night out.

Find the neon red "Psychic" sign and head downstairs (yes, there is a real psychic in the bar). Those who stay long enough will witness the casual evolution of the venue throughout the evening: the after-work crowd will drop in for a Manhattan, then maybe a dinner with a bottle (or three) of wine, followed by more fun and festive drinks well into the night.

Tio's

4/14 Foster Street, Surry Hills 

Margaritas lined up on the bar at Tio's, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Tio's | Instagram

Tio’s from the Mucho Hospitality Group began life as a rough-and-ready, anything-goes type place, with no official drinks list, no food, and free popcorn for all. It really is a legend on the Sydney bar scene—being the place of many a tequila-soaked evening (and subsequent sore head the next day).

These days, they’ve refined things a little and offer loaded nachos, which are great for soaking up their highly moreish classic margaritas. The popcorn is here to stay. 

Head in for fun vibes and the $10 frozen margarita specials—flavours switch up weekly.

Shady Pines Saloon

4/256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst

Image credit: Shady Pines | Instagram

From the Swillhouse Group, Shady Pines is a bar that doesn’t need to do much in terms of self-promotion. Just off Oxford Street, you’ll have to search for a door with no sign.

Once you’ve found the secret door, you’ll descend into a wonderful whirlwind of country music, antique furniture, peanuts, and taxidermy animals.

The subterranean joint doesn’t concern itself with time; it’s always packed and vibing and does $5.50 lager tinnies and house wines or $6.50 spirits between 4pm and 6pm every day. The house-spiced whisky and fresh apple juice is a must. Don’t go asking for Fireball (because you won’t find it here).

Dean And Nancy On 22

2 Hunter Street, Sydney CBD

best bars in sydney dean and nancy on 22 cbdImage credit: Dean and Nancy | Steven Woodburn

From the award-winning Maybe Sammy team, Dean and Nancy is a sleek hotel bar in the heart of the city. A gleaming brass staircase ascends to the 120-seat bar, where there's more jaw-dropping brass, a baby grand piano, and a view of the twinkling city skyline that, come nighttime, feels like a scene from Lost in Translation

To drink, it's the same fun-meets-polished antics we've come to expect from Maybe Sammy's creative director Andrea Gualdi. There are 15 signature concoctions written into a journey of a menu, including some high roller cocktails made with super-premium spirits and non-alcoholic cocktails too. To eat, a menu of divine bar snacks has been pieced together by chef Jane Strode. 

As with all Maybe Sammy venues, the menu switches up regularly with a new whimsical theme and equally whimsical cocktails. Ask the staff for a top pick. 

The Baxter Inn

152/156 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD

best bars in sydney the baxter inn cbdImage credit: The Baxter Inn | Instagram

Yet another entry from the talented Swillhouse crew, The Baxter Inn changed Sydney's drinks scene for the better when it opened back in 2010. This intimate, hard-to-find whisky bar also signalled the early beginnings of a new era for the Sydney CBD, as a more exciting drinking and dining destination.

Over a decade later, this is still one of Sydney's greatest bars—and one of the city's best whisky destinations too. It's dark and moody, just like a whisky bar should be, and the collection of amber spirits on offer here is second to none—ticking off the Highland, the Lowland, Speyside, the islands, and everything in between. 

Alongside all the whisky, there are complimentary pretzels, live jazz bands, and an epic list of whisky cocktails to try too, shaken and stirred by some of Sydney's best bartenders. Let the bar staff take you on a whiskey journey and step outside your comfort zone. 

Fortunate Son

105 Enmore Road, Newtown

At Fortunate Son, you can expect a Southern-style Mississippi River rock vibe. Just a stone’s throw from the Enmore Theatre, owners and bar legends Jason Crawley and Dylan Howarth have built a neighbourhood bar concept based on the romance of great music.

You’re in for a 300-strong collection of mezcal, tequila, and whisky, as well as proper champagne and a lengthy cocktail menu. The cocktail menu is divided into three parts, including a first section titled "Fortunate Ones" that features Crawley and Howarth's renditions of classics.

"Fortunate Sons" is the signatures section, where you'll find the Insomnia, which is a tequila espresso martini, made with Herradura Blanco, cold drip coffee, ristretto liqueur, and agave. Finally, there's a selection of spiked fresh juice highballs. 

Jacoby's Tiki Bar

154 Enmore Road, Enmore 

Tiki cocktails at Jacoby's, one of the best bars in SydneyImage credit: Jacoby's Tiki Bar | Instagram

A bar inspired by David Lynch's iconic and mysterious Twin Peaks? Sign us up. This Enmore Road establishment delivers fun vibes and funky cocktails often served out of coconuts and retro fish vases with proper cocktail umbrellas.

Guests will find the warmth and joy (with a dash of rum and lime) that fits right into this corner of the city. “We are most proud of how we’ve become a part of this wonderful and eclectic community,” director Adrian Sanchez says.

“I love walking around the suburb and seeing all of our regulars going about their lives and then seeing them later in the evening for their nightcap. The best compliment we can ever hear is the one where people think we’ve been here longer than we actually have.”

Double Deuce Lounge

6 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD

bars in Sydney double deuce loungeImage credit: Double Deuce Lounge | Instagram

Double Deuce Lounge is the retro-style watering hole with a self-described “'70s porno chic" aesthetic. The décor alone is worth a visit. With timber-panelled walls and bulb-framed mirrors, elements of the design are destined to return to homes in no time.

Double Deuce also has a great cocktail menu to back it up, serving modern Australian spins on the classics. Order the Dealer's Choice—this isn't a cocktail as such, but a chance for the skilled bar team to show off their chops based on what you tell them you're vibing.

Earl’s Juke Joint

407 King Street, Newtown

If you walk past what looks on the outside to be a closed butcher shop, but hear a roaring good time inside, you’re probably on South King Street, strolling past one of the Inner West’s most beloved bars.

Since 2013, New Orleans-inspired Earl’s Juke Joint has been offering Newtown locals a seat at the bar and a bloody good cocktail for their troubles.

Here, it’s all about candlelight, a beautiful wooden bar nearly stretching the length of the places, a spirit-stacked back bar, and old-school photos framed on the wall. Drinks range from Resch’s on-tap and natty wines to some out-of-this-world cocktail concoctions.

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Main image credit: Vermuteria | Instagram

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