While it's easy to assume that the CBD is awash with great spots to sink a beer, clink a cocktail or wind down with a wine, it can be a challenge to settle on a bar when you find yourself smack-bang in the middle of Sydney/Eora.
Urban List has sipped through the Sydney CBD to uncover the best cocktail spots, basement boozers and sleek wine bars worth visiting when you're a little thirsty in the heart of our fair city. For everything from knockoffs to kick-ons, here are the best bars in Sydney's CBD.
Maybe Sammy
115 Harrington Street, The Rocks
Image credit: Maybe Sammy | Supplied
Having been named the #29 bar in the world, the best bar in Australasia and the most influential bar in the world, Maybe Sammy is a standout among Sydney CBD bars. Decked out with a '60s Palm Springs aesthetic, including bartenders in white jackets with a single red carnation, this spot's all about the glitz and glam.
The details change regularly, but you can expect bubbles, foams, washes and more on the cocktail menu that's centred around themes and developed by the whole team. Maybe Sammy also does $7 mini cocktails (including martinis, jasmine Negronis and eucalyptus gimlets) 4.30pm–5.30pm every day and $2 oysters on Saturdays.
Shell House
37 Margaret Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Shell House | Instagram
This isn't just one, but actually three Sydney CBD bars: Clocktower, Sky Bar and Menzies Bar. On the ground, Menzies Bar is a Euro-inspired bistro with a striking marble bar and $10 mini martinis and lobster rolls between 4pm and 6pm.
Upstairs Sky Bar offers panoramic views, a breezy terrace and rich '70s-inspired decor, while Clocktower is an intimate, timber-lined space for after dark. Each bar has its own individual vibe—so you'll just have to plan a visit to all three.
Cantina OK!
Council Place, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Cantina OK! | Instagram
Set up in a single garage space that’s now shades of lemonade pink, mauve, gold and emerald, Cantina OK! is a small (seriously small) spot with a passion for agave-based spirits that makes it a must-visit in the Sydney CBD—just don't expect a seat.
There are about 100 mezcals and tequilas expressions on show, including rare and vintage selections and the menu changes often, but if you're not sure where to start, we love the house staple Margarita OK! with both tequila and mezcal, lime and orange oil.
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Jacksons On George
176 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Jacksons on George | Supplied
The revamp of the notorious nightlife spot has turned it into a multi-level, multi-format affair—but if it's just a drink (and maybe some nibbles) you're chasing, we suggest you head up to Jacksons On George's open-air terrace/rooftop bar.
The breezy spot has a cocktail list developed in collaboration with renowned Sydney drinks creator Matt Whiley with sips like the Summer Negroni (white rum, coconut, Campari, Dolin Rouge, and strawberry) and plenty of wines perfect for your sunset moment. On the food front, it's elevated bar bites like a Spencer Gulf king prawn cocktail, jamon and manchego croquettes, and fancy burgers.
Alfie's
4-6 Bligh Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Alfie's | Supplied
Home to Sydney's frostiest martini, Alfie's is a fast-paced, energetic steakhouse that hasn't slept on its bar offering. Hovering over Bligh Street, the dedicated bar does a daily 4pm-6pm happy hour and one of Sydney's best snack menus. Think beef nuggets with brown sauce, juicy charred beef skewers, and a rotisserie beef hot chip butty with burger sauce and pickles.
During happy hour, work your way through a menu of cocktails, wines, and snacks where everything is under $20—including the sub-zero Alfie's Martini and the chip butty. You can even get a $3 butcher of Grifters, making this one of Sydney's best spots for knockoff drinks. And, if you love a martini, here's where you'll find more of Sydney's best.
Employees Only
9a Barrack Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Employees Only | Instagram
A sibling to the New York bar of the same name that consistently places on the World's 50 Best Bars, Employees Only is a fab underground haven for late-night fun, with burlesque performances on the bar, tarot readings and energetic routines from the bartenders.
The drinks are world-class and include a large selection of signature cocktails, but the bistro menu (with dishes like spanner crab tostadas, tableside steak tartare, and scallop and prawn dumplings in lemon butter emulsion) is worth a visit too. For all the fun for half the cash, go Tuesday–Friday for 50% off food orders placed between 5pm and 6pm, and 50% off house spirits, house beers, house wine, and Employees Only classic cocktails. Love a bargain? Check out more of Sydney's best happy hours.
Bar 83
Entry via Westfield Sydney, Level 4/108 Market Street, Sydney CBD
Sydney's highest bar—enough said? Bar 83 is a retro-futuristic dream 245 metres above the ground with an unmistakable red and white interior, 260-degree view of Sydney, and a cocktail and food menu that features Australian ingredients.
Try the sunset-hued Aurora, with gin, rockmelon, vermouth, native bitters, lemon, salt and Peychaud’s paired with nibbles like steak tartare with lemon myrtle crackers, or tempura zucchini flowers with yuzu kosho.
Double Deuce Lounge
6 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD
Double Deuce Lounge is the retro-themed watering hole that is self-described as '70s porno chic—with timber-panelled walls, leather booths and bulb-framed mirrors—so the décor alone is worth a visit.
Cocktails are the main event at this Sydney CBD bar and continue the retro theme, with picks like the Full Bush blending Maker’s Mark, yuzu, grapefruit, rooibos and maple. There's also a snack menu with house-made French onion dip and Jatz. '70s goals.
Centro 86
86-88 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Centro 86 | Dexter Kim
Centro 86 is a basement tequila bar, inspired by a fancy Mexican cantina, from the award-winning crew behind Cantina OK!, Bar Planet and Tio's. It's all about agave here, with a 100-strong selection of rare and delicious tequilas, including a couple you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Australia.
Dressed in green waistcoats, the team delivers their signature low-key cocktail theatre, pouring drinks over fresh fruit and shaved-to-order ice. Grab a bag of complimentary popcorn laced with a new secret spice (yes, different to Bar Planet and Tio's) and order a few of our fave: the Royale, with Herradura Plata, champagne, lemon and yuzu.
Apollonia
Basement, Hinchcliff House, 5–7 Young Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Apollonia | Instagram
Hidden in the basement beneath Hinchcliff House, the four-storey Italian-inspired mega restaurant, Apollonia is a moody bar inspired by Michael Corleone's wife in The Godfather.
You'll find Italian and Australian amari, bitters, whiskies, and gins, with plenty of cocktails on offer like the Polka Dot Dress with pear vodka, eucalyptus, fino sherry and rhubarb, and the signature Apollonia Negroni, which comes off tap to impart a silky mouthfeel. There's a menu of Sicilian-style snacks available until 10pm, with a smaller offering through until late.
Little Felix
2a Ash Street, Sydney CBD
Little Felix is a moody cocktail bar in Merivale's ivy Precinct, inspired by Paris in the roaring '20s. As the little sister of Felix restaurant, you’ll recognise that elegance runs in the genes, with opulent interiors, a large selection of wines poured from magnum bottles, and indulgent French snacks.
Cocktails like the Red Cap Paloma (reposado tequila, passionfruit, red capsicum, grapefruit, lime and soda) pack big flavours and plenty of personality, and we can't go past caviar (or trout roe) blini, dainty prawn sandwiches and perfect French fries.
Vinabar
332 Kent Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Vinabar | Instagram
Hidden behind a decoy banh mi shop frontage, Vinabar is a small CBD bar that packs big Vietnamese-inspired flavours, a gorgeous interior thanks to 60 handmade silk lanterns from Hoi An, and the cutest baby banh mi in Sydney.
Cocktails look like a Vietnamese iced coffee martini with Viet coffee, vodka, condensed milk and shaved coconut, the Vinagroni with smoked pecan, gin, Campari and vermouth, and a signature rambutan martini with vodka, rambutan, lychee and forest fruits. Best of all, Vinabar stays open until 2am, every night of the week.
Dean And Nancy On 22
Level 22, 2 Hunter Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Dean and Nancy on 22 | Instagram
From the Maybe Sammy team, Dean and Nancy is a sleek and stylish bar that positions you eye-to-eye with the Sydney CBD skyscrapers. Expect a black and gold palette, a baby grand piano, low leather banquettes, intimate lamp-lit tables and world-class cocktails.
There are signature concoctions written into a journey of a menu, including some high roller creations made with super premium spirits, and non-alcoholic cocktails too. The dining menu is generous for a bar, with nibbles like oysters, caviar, and truffle fries through to plates of mafaldine pasta, lobster rolls, and a brisket burger.
The Doss House
77/79 George Street, The Rocks
Image credit: The Doss House | Instagram
Sydney has its share of fabulous whisky bars and The Doss House is the perfect home for this dark spirit; the historic basement has been a bootmaker's, boarding house, doctor’s surgery and opium den, and retains a lot of the intrigue and charm of the dockside precinct's original life.
Whether you opt for a cosy spot surrounded by sandstone and flickering candles or head up to the courtyard on the significant Nurse's Walk, you'll want to settle in and explore the spirit collection while grazing over a charcuterie board. Head in from 6pm on Sundays to experience solid craic with live traditional Irish tunes.
Eau-de-Vie
285 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Eau-de-Vie | Instagram
One of Sydney's most awarded cocktail bars, Eau-de-Vie relocated to the CBD from Darlinghurst for a new era of late nights and whisky flights.
Led by the Speakeasy Group, the new space doesn't reinvent the wheel; instead, you'll find a similar dimly lit and jazz-soaked atmosphere, the signature whisky room, and private lockers for keeping your precious bottles. Cocktails are creative and extra, with favourites from the past lineup still hitting hard, like the Espresso Zabaione blending your choice of vodka, rum, or tequila, with cold drip coffee and a touch of maple syrup topped with a saffron and vanilla mousse, super chilled and frozen with liquid nitrogen—basically the best espresso martini... ever.
Rockpool Bar
66 Hunter Street, Sydney CBD
While Rockpool Bar & Grill is an iconic Sydney restaurant, the attached walk-in-only Rockpool Bar is also well worth a visit for a knockoff, luxe bar eats, or nightcap in an elegant CBD setting.
Signature cocktails (we are big fans of the martinis), a neat selection of wines by the glass, plenty of whisky and a few beers are on offer, plus Rockpool's extensive bottled wine program, plus the full restaurant menu and dedicated bar snacks. Rockpool Sydney also offers one of Sydney’s best happy hours; swing by between 4pm and 6pm, Monday–Friday for $12 cocktails, a $15 bar snacks menu and $4 fries.
Mary's
7 Macquarie Place, Circular Quay
Waving the grimy-but-great Sydney CBD bar flag since Frankie's closed, Mary's is a dive bar that turns everything up to 100, with cold beers, a selection of whisky and satisfying cocktails, including $10 margaritas on Thursdays.
Food looks like the iconic dirty burgers, buttermilk fried chicken pieces or nuggets, fries, mash with chicken gravy, and a huge selection of completely vegan offerings of the same ilk. Downstairs, you've got live music space Mary's Underground, where you can expect touring artists, appreciation nights and special events.
Looking for more? Check out
- The Best Wine Bars In Sydney
- Barangaroo's Best Restaurants Right Now
- The Best Bottomless Brunches In Sydney
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