From whisky menus boasting over 150 blends to a whisky-infused cocktail called the Sakura Sour, Sydney has got its whisky culture down pat. Prepare yourself for hidden dedicated whisky rooms, whisky passports and nightcaps that fuse marshmallow and vanilla.
Whether you're an aficionado or just kicking off your whisky journey, these are the best whisky bars to hit up in Sydney.
The Baxter Inn
CBD
The Baxter Inn really brings the heat with over 150 different variations of whisky. This iconic Sydney bar is easily one of the best, with grain, single pot, bourbon, rye and a whole heap more to sip. Mix it up with an epic basement-styled atmosphere, live jazz music and you have yourself a recipe for a seriously cool signature old-school bar.
Bancho Bar
Haymarket
As a general rule, Japanese whisky varietals should be on your booze hit list. Banchō Bar is for when you’re feeling that little bit extra.
Highlander Bar Sir Stamford Hotel
Circular Quay
Serving up their own branded whisky, the recently refurbished Highlander Bar in the Sir Stamford Hotel should be your go-to bar for a smooth glass of the good stuff. Highlander Bar offers up a solid whisky high tea with a bunch of whisky infused treats (like a Johnnie Walker caramel square) and a flight of three Chivas Regal varieties. The historic bar features a fireplace so you'll feel like you're fireside in the real Scottish Highlands.
Doss House
The Rocks
Another one for your whisky wishlist with over 150 blends is Doss House. Here, you’ll find a mixture of local and global malts all listed on the dedicated whisky menu so your only real challenge is to pick and choose wisely. Hidden in a candlelit sandstone basement in the rocks, stay a while and cosy up with a fine selection of cheese and charcuterie.
Tokyo Bird
Surry Hills
If sitting down at a communal table while knocking back a glass of smooth whisky is your thing, then, by all means, Tokyo Bird is the place for you. This one may be a Japanese small bar but the whisky line-up is big with a huge pool of Suntory, Nikka, Mars and whisky flights to choose from.
Uncle Ming’s
CBD
Head down into this opium-den inspired cocktail, Japanese whisky and dumpling bar for an epic date night location. These guys stock one of the most extensive collections of whisky, specialising in rare and unique blends of the good stuff. Here you’ll also find a bunch of award-winning malts, but high on your bucket list should be the Akashi oak blended whisky, aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks and tastes of marshmallow barrel spices and vanilla.
Eau De Vie
Darlinghurst
Eau de Vie is one of Sydney’s best hidden bars, but if you thought it couldn’t get any better, you’re sorely mistaken. Eau de Vie have a dedicated whisky room tucked away from regular patrons, for all those serious whisky drinkers out there. With over 40 whiskys available, get the bar staff to walk you through each one to pick the perfect taste. And join their whisky club for a 20% discount on all bottles.
Wild Rover
Surry Hills
Straight from the hills of Ireland comes over 40 malts that will bring you to your knees. Expect a whole lot of whisky (obviously), sausage rolls and oysters in a buzzy Irish bar with jungle-themed wallpaper. If you’re an avid whisky drinker, there’s no doubt about having to join up their Wild Rover’s Whisky Co-operative, which will feed you a bunch of tastings and your own "Whisky Passport" that tracks the drams you’ve tasted from the bar.
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Image credit: Miguel Maldonaldo.