The Best Happy Hours In Sydney Right Now
Is anything in this world more appropriately named than happy hour? It’s that glorious window when bars, pubs, and restaurants invite us to enjoy cocktails, wines, beers and nibbles for less.
With the cost of living increasing faster than we sink a beer on a Friday afternoon, Urban List is loving a bargain now more than ever. From cocktails and craft beers to mini martinis and pizza, these are the best happy hours in Sydney/Eora.
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The Best Sydney CBD Happy Hours
Jōji
Level 5/388 George Street, Sydney CBD
Jōji’s weekday what's on, The Jōji Hour, is your excuse to log off early and settle into a rooftop Nomikai that’s a little less buttoned-up than your calendar suggests. Running Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 6pm, this CBD happy hour brings sub-zero cocktails, sharp wines and ice-cold beers to the table—without the usual after-work price tag.
On the drinks front, expect signature cocktails like the 388 (vodka, yuzu, lemon myrtle, shochu and soda) and the Esca Spritz (marionette plum, lemon myrtle, apple allspice and prosecco) for $18, alongside $12 wines and spirits, plus $10 Asahi Super Dry.
Then there’s The Adulting Meal—a nostalgic upgrade on your childhood order, clocking in at $39. You’ll get a Jōji Burger, fries and a martini made your way, which feels like a fair trade for whatever your 3pm meeting put you through.
Walk-ins are welcome, but as always with a CBD rooftop, earlier is better if you want to lock in a spot.
Shell House: Golden Hours
Shell House, 37 Margaret Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Shell House | Instagram
Shell House isn't just one of our favourite Sydney CBD haunts—they also do one of the best happy hours in Sydney across three venues, every day they're open, between 4pm and 6pm. Start your Golden Hours sipping up in the moody Clocktower Bar where you can nab $15 Tanqueray Negronis Monday–Saturday, or swing in to Sky Bar Tuesday–Saturday to pair $2 oysters with $15 Don Julio margaritas and $15 prawn katsu sandos.
For something a little more jazzy, get to Menzies Bar on the ground floor where Golden Hours offers petite lobster rolls and mini martinis for $10 each Monday–Saturday. We recommend getting in quick—the rolls can sell out.
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The Charles
66 King Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Charles | Instagram
Daily happy hour at The Charles brings together $2 oysters, $16 cocktails and $12 wines—best enjoyed tucked into the softly lit bar with something crisp in hand.
Cocktail-wise, the signature Two-Sip Martini is the move (as the name suggests, it won’t last long), alongside the Guava Tequila Sour for something a little more playful. On the food front, it’s all about elevated bar snacks—think chickpea pannise topped with whipped bottarga, and chicken and truffle croquettes that feel far too luxe for happy hour pricing.
Centro 86
Basement 86/88 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Centro 86 | Dexter Kim
Sydney's underground paradise for all things agave spirits, Centro 86 has introduced a happy hour between 4pm and 6pm, Tuesday–Saturday.
You can get your hands on a spicy margarita (made with tequila, their house-made Rattlesnake spicy spirit, lime and passionfruit) for just $12, or an Angel Oro lager for $7. Pair your pick with a bag (or two) of their free, secret-spiced popcorn, and you're in for the perfect knockoff.
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Bar Mammoni
Shop/2 Loftus Lane, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Bar Mammoni | Supplied
Tucked away in a laneway in Quay Quarter, you’ll find one of Sydney’s best happy hour deals at Bar Mammoni. Between 3pm and 6pm, Wednesday–Friday, snag their $10 pasta of the day, which you can pair with their classic waffle fries or whipped ricotta and ciabatta at happy hour prices.
Celebrate the end of the work day with $10 spritzes, $15 Negronis and $7 wines and beers as you wind down under the umbrellas of theircourtyard. They don’t take bookings, so make sure to get in early or else be prepared to wait for this epic deal.
Rockpool Bar
66 Hunter Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Rockpool | Supplied
Fuelling our love of luxe on a budget, beloved top-tier restaurant Rockpool Sydney has launched RP Hour in its breathtaking, walk-in-only bar space. Swing by between 4pm and 6pm, Monday–Friday to make the most of $12 cocktails including martinis, margaritas, Negronis and a house spritz, a $15 bar snacks menu with a chorizo dog with chimichurri and crispy onions, a fish po' boy with chilli mayo, and a Rockpool BLT, and $4 fries.
There's also a sommelier's selection of $15 red, white and sparkling wines, and $7 beers. If that doesn't sound like a perfect knockoff, we don't know what does.
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Dean & Nancy On 22
Level 22, 2 Hunter Street, Sydney CBD
Nestled among the Sydney CBD's skyscrapers, Dean & Nancy on 22 offers an elegant happy hour with breathtaking sunset views and a chic ambience. Aperitivo Hour runs between 5pm and 6pm every day of the week and offers $15 cocktails ( including 50/50 gin or vodka martinis; the Tramonto with Aperol, raspberry, grapefruit and prosecco; and the Noto Notte with Disaronno, yuzu, Perrier and tonic water) immersing you in the Italian aperitivo tradition.
There's also a mocktail, and wines from $12. We'd recommend ordering a bowl of the truffle fries, too.
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Alfie's
4/6 Bligh Street, Sydney CBD
Steak is the major focus at CBD restaurant Alfie's, but if you're seeking out a knockoff or sip to whet the whistle before your carnivorous feast, the bar also does a cracking happy hour between 4pm and 6pm daily.
Sip a butcher (a 200mL glass of beer) for just $3, or go for a $6 gin and tonic, $10 house wine, $14 Bloody Shiraz spritz or $16 ice-cold house martini, and set your eyes on the hot chip spit roast beef butty; at $17 it mightn't be a bargain, but you're going to want to give it a whirl.
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Employees Only
9A Barrack Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Employees Only | Instagram
A happy hour doesn't come more jolly than this: 50% off food AND drinks, every Tuesday–Thursday. Get to Employees Only and make sure you order before 6pm, with the deal applying to the whole food menu (sans the tomahawk steak—fair) and all house spirits, house beers, house red, white, rose and prosecco, and signature cocktails.
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Matteo Downtown
20 Bond Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Matteo | Supplied
Swing by Matteo's CBD location every Tuesday–Friday between 3pm and 5pm for Aperitivo Hour, when a tenner will get you a Peroni, wine or house gin or vodka. For $15 you can nab a house martini or Negroni, or Aperol or limoncello spritzes are $14.
The Wine Bar at The International
25 Martin Place, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Wine Bar | Instagram
Happy hour at The Wine Bar is coming in hot with their daily Sips and Snacks menu. No need to transfer out of savings for this one—the curated selection of drinks and paired bites are all under $12. Think classics like gimlets, mojitos, and a signature mango and myrtle spritz, as well as $5 pizza romana by the slice and $10 oysters in three’s.
Your post-work ritual is sorted for the foreseeable—Sips and Snacks is running from Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 6pm.
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The Best Surry Hills Happy Hours
Jane: Australiano Hour
478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Jane | Instagram
Don't let looks deceive you—you can visit this stunning Surry Hills spot on a budget. Jane's Australiano Hour includes some of the cheapest (and most delicious) cocktails on this list of Sydney happy hours. Drop in between 5pm and 6pm Monday–Thursday, and 4pm through 6pm Friday–Sunday Sunday to sip $8 Australianos, $10 Jane martinis, and White Possum G&T's, chilled reds, VBs and yuzu vermouth and soda for $6.
Snacks are as fancy as they are affordable too: $2 Sydney Rock oysters with desert lime and chardonnay mignonette, duck croquettes with mustard and tarragon ($6 each), and kangaroo tartare with pickled cucumber, bush tomato harissa and potato ($15).
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Armorica
490 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Armorica | Supplied
Crown Street's elegant Parisian brasserie, Armorica, does a slick happy hour every day of the week. Swing in between 4pm and 6pm to graze the afternoon away on $6 glasses of rosé paired with charcuterie items from $6.
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Butter
6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Butter | Instagram
There’s a good chance you already know Butter is slinging some of the best fried chicken in Sydney. But you might not know there’s a delicious reason to get in there between 3pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Pop in during Butter Hour and cop some of their crispy and golden wings for just $3, plus $6 beers, and boozy slushies and whiskey apples for $10.
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Tio’s Cerveceria
14 Foster Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Tio's | Instagram
It's no secret that Sydney loves a margarita, but your lime and tequila habit can get a little costly when a cocktail sets you back at least $20. Don't stress though, because Tio's does $12 frozen margs every day—you just have to get in before they sell out—in a new flavour every week, and $12 classic margaritas all night on Wednesdays.
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Ace Hotel Lobby Bar
47/53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Ace Hotel | Supplied
Whether you are a curious passer-by looking for a drink and a boogie, or a paying guest with an evening to fill, the Ace Hotel’s Lobby Bar happy hour is sure to impress. Grab a full size margherita’s or Four Pillars olive leaf martini for $12, craft beers for $6, and house wines sitting at $8 a glass. Something to line the stomach? Sydney rock oysters with white pepper and coriander mignonette are just $2 a pop—finish things off with a $16 Lobby cheeseburger, and you are looking at a seriously budget friendly night out.
Post-happy hour, the bar transforms into a late night dancefloor, with monthly rotating DJ residencies and surprise events popping up throughout the week. The Lobby Bar is open 12pm—1pm daily, with no bookings required.
More Of Sydney's Best Happy Hours
Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
8-12 Sydney Street, Marrickville
Image credit: Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre | Supplied
While you might be rocking up to Marrickville staple Bob Hawke's for a bev in the new beer garden, their stellar Chinese food or house brews, this weekday happy hour makes a case of its own for an afternoon visit.
From 4pm–6pm, Monday through Friday, grab $5.99 schooners and $8.99 pints, as well as $7.99 wines, $14 aperols, and their cult-fave dim sims for just $2. So basically, there's something for everyone.
Soluna
168 Walker Street, North Sydney
Image credit: Soluna | Supplied
Soluna’s Aperitivo Hour is bringing a slice of Italy to your midweek and weekend evenings, running Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 7pm.
Drinks are tight, punchy and perfectly sized—think $12 Mini Tommy’s Margaritas, Classic Margaritas, Mini Martinis and Mini Negronis, or go the full spritz moment with a $15 Aperol Spritz. There’s also $7 beers and $12 wines if you’re keeping things easy.
On the food front, expect snackable hits like fried lasagne, herbed falafel with cream cheese and chilli, and pressed prawn toast—this is aperitivo done right.
Coco’s On The Beach
Corner of Princess Street and, The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands
Image credit: Coco's On The Beach | Supplied
At Coco’s On The Beach, weekday happy hour runs Monday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm, serving up easy, breezy drinks just in time for sunset.
On the menu, you’ve got $6 house schooners, $8 pints and wines, plus $12 cocktails pulled straight from the full list—meaning you’re not stuck choosing between the “happy hour version” and what you actually want to drink.
Bombies
Level 1, 1/29 Moore Road Freshwater
Image credit: Bombies | Supplied
Golden hour hits a little different at Bombies, where Margy Hour brings $12 margaritas to the rooftop every Friday to Sunday from 6pm to 7pm. It’s short, sharp and very worth timing your arrival for.
Whether you’re kicking things off before a night of live music, settling into a sunset session, or just chasing something easy on a Sunday, Bombies has your marg fix sorted. Expect classic pours, ocean air and a crowd that knows exactly why they’re there.
Get in early—one hour goes quick when the margaritas are this good.
Arms Length
7 Kellett Street, Potts Point
Image credit: Arms Length | Instagram
Cute courtyard cafe, restaurants and bar Arms Length does a primo happy hour to enjoy under the fig trees behind the action of Kings Cross. Swing in daily between 4pm and 6pm to order a spread of $8 wines, beers or G&Ts, $12 spritzes, sours and blue margaritas. They also do a happy hour combo of a glass of wine or beer and cheesy jaffle for $15.
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SoCal
1 Young Street, Neutral Bay
If you’ve already taken the stairs up to SoCal, then you know the Neutral Bay joint has an extremely inviting and relaxing Cali beach vibe. The only thing that could possibly make that better is chilling out after work with a $12 frozen cocktail slushie, or $5 house wine, prosecco, or beer on offer for knock-offs between 5pm and 6.30pm, Monday–Friday.
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Saké Restaurant & Bar
12 Argyle Street, The Rocks; Level 1, Manly Wharf, Manly; 33 Cross Street, Double Bay | Monday–Friday, 4pm–6pm
Image credit: Saké Restaurant & Bar | Supplied
Slip into Saké Restaurant & Bar's Saké Hour to say hai to a knockoff jaunt to Japan. Happy hour specials here include fun drinks and bites like $5 sashimi tacos, $10 chicken karaage, and a daily nigiri pick for $5.
On the happy hour drinks menu, there’s $7 Roku gin and tonics, Toki highballs and Asahi beers, $10 Miss Wednesday cocktails (shochu, rose and lychee liquor shaken with vanilla and fresh lime), $12 martinis, Negronis and Old Fashioneds, and $10 glasses of wine. Saké Hour is walk-in only.
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Main image credit: Ace Hotel | Supplied
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