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 our favourite things, 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.
Menzies Bar
Shell House, 37 Margaret Stree, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Shell House | Instagram
Thought lobster rolls and martinis had to break the bank? Get to Menzies Bar at Shell House, where you can pair a petite lobster roll with a mini martini, for $10 each, between 4pm and 6pm every day. We recommend getting in quick—the rolls can sell out.
Jane
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. 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).
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.
Restaurant Hubert
15 Bligh Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Restaurant Hubert | Instagram
While this one might be the bougie-est happy hour on this list, it's well worth a visit. Restaurant Hubert does a happy hour in its Parisian-style Bar Pincer every day between 5pm and 6pm, with $7 highballs, G&Ts, and house wines or beers, plus $12 Negronis.
For food, there's the insane cult-classic Hubert Burger (with dry-aged beef, gruyere, a dill pickle and house burger sauce) for $18, duck parfait for $6, and a selection of saucisson for $10. Walk in only—and be prepared to queue.
Maybe Sammy
115 Harrington Street, The Rocks
Image credit: Maybe Sammy | Instagram
Australasia's best bar Maybe Sammy is, obviously, pouring some of Sydney's best cocktails—and you can sample them on the cheap during their slick happy hour. Between 4.30pm and 5.30pm daily, drop in to try their mini cocktails (which usually only set you back $13, anyway) for just $7.
If it's a Saturday, you can also cop $2 oysters all day—not bad for one of the best watering holes in the world.
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Tequila Mockingbird
6 Heeley Street, Paddington
Image credit: Tequila Mockingbird | Instagram
A Sunday session is a great way to keep the weekend vibes going—and with $12 margaritas and signature cocktails at this swanky Paddington restaurant between 12pm and 3pm every Sunday, it's a no-brainer.
If you're still sleeping off Saturday night's fun, head in for happy hour $12 cocktails and snacks from $9 between 4.30pm and 6pm, Tuesday–Friday.
Bar Grazie
21 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay
Put an Italian spin on happy hour at elegant neighbourhood spot Bar Grazie, where Aperitivo Hour runs 5pm–6.30pm daily (but check out their Insta—sometimes they start it early or run late).
$10 will nab you a Negroni, martini or spritz (with Campari, Aperol or limoncello), and wines are $8, while snacks like focaccia, anchovy crostini, oysters and prawn cutlets all come in under $10. Small plates of straciatella, peppers and anchovies or prosciutto and melon are also available for $12.
Saké Restaurant & Bar
12 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Level 1, Manly Wharf, Manly and 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.
Fontana
133A Redfern Street, Redfern
Once you're in for Aperitivo Hour, you're probably going to want to stay on for a casual, modern Italian dinner at uber cool Redfern restaurant Fontana.
Aperitivo Hour runs between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, Wednesday–Saturday and offers $12 Negronis, house martinis and spritzes, $10 wines of the day (with the picks changing regularly) and $6 Grifter pale ales.
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.
Hinchcliff House
5-7 Young Street, CBD
Image credit: Apollonia | Supplied
If you're chasing a happy hour with some variety, multi-venue stunner Hinchcliff House is worth a visit, with its happy hour running 3pm–5pm across Grana, Apollonia and Bar Mammoni Monday–Friday, and at Lana on Thursday and Friday.
To drink, every venue does $10 Negronis and mirto spritzes, $10 wines and $10 beers, and each one has a happy hour snack: a $21 Godfather cheeseburger with pancetta, tomato, provolone, broad leaf rocket, special sauce and parmesan at Apollonia, $12 panino fritto with stracciatella, mortadella and red pesto, and $14 crostoli topped with whipped bonito roe and bottarga at Lana.
The Abercrombie
100 Broadway, Chippendale
While it goes big with late-night tunes and parties, The Abercrombie also puts on a couple of banging happy hours. We're talking $3 middies and $7 house beers, wines and spirits between 4pm and 6pm, Monday–Thursday, plus $10 margaritas to start your weekend, running between 4pm and 6pm on Fridays. Gosh, we're glad she's back.
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.
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.
Paski Vineria Popolare
239 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Paski | Supplied
Inspired by the Italian traditions of serving a salty snack with drinks and loading up on a wholesome bowl of past late at night, Paski Vineria Popolare does not one, but two happy hours in its downstairs wine bar.
Salatino Hour runs 5pm–6.30pm, and sees Italian pastry snacks topped with pesto, anchovy, or mortadella on the menu for $4 each, or all three for $10, paired with $10 vermouth of the week, $12 sparkling wine, or a $14 cocktail co-crated with Newtown sake bar Ante.
Following the usual dinner hours, Aglio e Olio Hour is on the cards between 9pm and 11pm, plating up bowls of its namesake pasta for $15, $10 dishes of parmesan drizzled with balsamic, and $8 tiramisu. The after-dark drinks list includes mystery wine for $9, amaro sours for $10, and $12 nips of genepi.
The Paddington
384 Oxford Street, Paddington
This upscale Oxford Street pub is one of the city’s best spots to share a slow-roasted whole chicken with a bunch of mates. If you're saving your pennies, you'll be pleased to know The Paddington is also making sure to keep your attention with a killer happy hour: tap schooners, house wine, spirits, chicken bites and select cocktails for just $7, every Tuesday–Friday between from 5pm and 7pm.
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 $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. Otherwise, you can score a $5 Grifter beer every Sunday, plus, free chilli salt popcorn (which is kind of worth the visit alone).
Speakeasy Bar
83 Curlewis Street, Bondi
While Bondi’s low-key Speakeasy Bar boasts a casual street-dining vibe and an impressive wine list, we recommend heading in before 6pm to nab $7 wines and beers, $9 Aperol spritzes, and $12 margaritas.
Alex & Co
330 Church Street, Parramatta
Alongside the Parramatta River, this open-plan bar and restaurant has kind of become the spot in the Western CBD, and it’s also offering one of the best happy hours around town: pop in Monday–Friday between 4pm and 6pm (or all day Sunday) for $5 wines and schooners, $7 house spirits, and $12 cocktails. And because you shouldn’t down a cocktail on an empty stomach, there's $10 pizzas as well.
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. Read more here.
The Park House
2 Park Street, Mona Vale
A favourite among northern locals, The Park House welcomes neighbours to enjoy house beers, wines and spirits for $6, every Monday to Friday between 4pm and 6pm. Hot tip: go on a Tuesday to score a half-price pizza as well.
Matteo Downtown
20 Bond Street, Sydney CBD
Swing by Matteo's CBD location every Tuesday–Friday between 3pm and 5.30pm for Aperitivo Hour, when a tenner will get you a mini martini, or $12 an Aperol, Campari or Cinzano spritz, Negroni, or espresso martini. Plus, there are free nibbles during Aperitivo Hour to pair with your drink.
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 3.30pm and 6.30pm, 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 whisky apples for $10
Hotel Bondi
178 Campbell Parade, Bondi
Right across the street from one of the world’s most iconic beaches, Hotel Bondi does a bunch of discounted drinks that’ll go down a treat after a long day in the sun. On weekdays, $6 tap beers, house wines and house spirits are on the cards between 4pm and 7pm, while you can get around $5 basics and $12 cocktails between 9pm and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Forrester’s
336 Riley Street, Surry Hills
Though it had a facelift a while back, Forrester’s keeps its old-school pub feel—especially thanks to the $7 drinks on offer, Monday–Friday between 4pm and 6pm.
If you're penny-pinching, there's also a bunch of daily specials like $15 steaks on Mondays, $15 half-chickens on Tuesdays, and much-needed $15 Bloody Marys on Sundays.
Corridor
153 King Street, Newtown
This quaint King Street bar has long been known by Newtown locals as one of the best happy hour spots in the Inner West—with good reason. Because Corridor shares the love with its Newtown institutions, that means Young Henry’s pints for $7 on Fridays between 4pm and 7pm. Fancy a cocktail to kick-start your weekend? You can get those for $14, too.
Babylon
188 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD
Babylon is a sprawling 800-seat Levantine-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant inspired by the once-thriving ancient city. The venue's bars occupy two-thirds of the entire floor space so, naturally, drinks are the main event—and you can score them for a steal on weeknights between 5pm and 6.30pm, with tap beers, tap wines, and sparkling all priced at $8.50.
Coogee Pavilion
169 Dolphin Street, Coogee
Head to the behemoth that is Coogee Pav on a weekday to snag yourself a sweet deal; the ground-floor bar and rooftop serve up $6 pints, house spirits, and vinos from 5pm to 7pm every Monday–Friday.
The Prince
533-541 Princes Highway, Kirrawee
If you live in South Sydney, then you already know that The Prince is one of the area’s best venues. But if you need a few more reasons to visit, they also do a bunch of great happy hours. Go to the sports bar every day between 4pm and 6pm for $5.50 schooners. If you're into craft beer, you can grab a schooner for $6 or a pint for $7.50 every day, 3pm-5pm.
Dove & Olive
156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
If you're looking for a bargain with your crew, Dove & Olive's weekday deal is pretty solid: between 4pm and 7pm, you can head into the Devonshire Street boozer for $6 house beers, ciders, wines, and spirits. Can't make it for knockoffs? Sundays also see $7.90 schooners and $9.90 pints pouring.
Vic On The Park
2 Addison Road, Marrickville
The Vic has always been a local favourite, not least for happy hour, which offers $6 schooners of house beers, plus wines and spirits between 5pm and 7pm, Monday–Friday. If you’re in for a boozy lunch, you can also grab $15 jugs between 12pm and 3pm with main meals on weekdays.
Norton's
1 Norton Street, Leichhardt
We love a late-night happy hour, and Norton's delivers just that (as well as old-school Irish pub vibes). You can grab a wide range of tap schooners, house wine and spirits for $6 from 10pm to midnight, every night of the week, as well as the usual 4pm-6pm window, Monday–Friday.
The Botanical & Huxley’s
32 Banksia Road, Caringbah
If you’re passing through Caringbah, head to Huxley’s for a mix of live sports, delicious craft beers and American BBQ, where you can enjoy $10 cocktails between 6pm and 8pm every single day. As for The Botanical, that’s also where you’ll find $10 standard cocktails from 7pm and 9pm every Monday–Saturday and from 3pm to 6pm on Sundays.
Now check out
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Main image credit: Jane | Instagram
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