Look, we’re suckers for anything secret or remotely hidden, especially when there are cocktails at the end of the rainbow. While most secluded speakeasies in Sydney/Eora are hardly a secret, some are well-hidden, which means they can be tricky to find, especially in the dark.
To save you some time from crawling up and down (and sometimes under) the streets of Sydney, we thought we’d do the hard work for you. After all, that’s what we’re here for at Urban List. Without further ado, here are the best hidden bars in Sydney in 2025.
La Prima At El Primo Sanchez
27-33 Oxford Street, Paddington
Image credit: El Primo Sanchez | Supplied
From the award-winning crew behind Maybe Sammy, La Prima is a bar within a bar—hidden within the walls of El Primo Sanchez. Unlike most of the hidden and secret spots on this list, La Prima is accessed by special invitation only. If you are lucky enough to stumble across it, chances are the team will welcome you in for a drink (or three)—but you can also book it out as a private room.
The candlelit bar is soundtracked with authentic old-school Mexican music and features a special menu of signature cocktails, like the "Perfume de Gardenias" with Patrón Reposado, peach and citrus cordial, and jasmine soda.
Insider Intel:
While in La Prima, you can order from the El Primo menu, including the Guacamole with fermented green tomato and the Blackmore Wagyu Barbacca with salsa roja de miso, burnt onions, and shiso.
The Cumberland
17/19 Central Avenue, Manly
Image credit: The Cumberland | Instagram
The Cumberland is a hidden speakeasy on Sydney’s north side with a Spanish twist. Inspired by the prohibition era, this drinking den can only be accessed through an inconspicuous antique fridge door, tucked into the back wall of a Mediterranean-style deli and charcuterie store called "Cove Deli".
The deli isn't just a front—you'll find actual cured meats and cheese to shop here—but the real action is beyond the wooden fridge door. Descend a stone spiral staircase and you'll feel you've stepped into a bygone era.
Insider Intel:
- Expect a dedicated whisky menu numbering more than 250 bottles, and a collection of signature cocktail offerings inspired by the classics and local botanicals.
Employee’s Only
9a Barrack Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Employees Only | Instagram
Hidden within a heritage-listed basement on Barrack Street, Employees Only offers a little taste of New York City bar culture.
Drinks are well-crafted and include Employee’s Only staples known across the world as "The EO Manhattan" made with Woodford Rye Whiskey and stirred with EO Rosso Vermouth, Grand Marnier, and Angostura Bitters. The theatrical "Playing With Fire" is another higher-order cocktail to hit made with Appleton Estate Signature blend, overproof rum, Chivas 12-year—shaken with cinnamon, pink guava, peach, and finger limes and served in a tall tiki mug.
Insider Intel:
- You’ll find signature elements throughout, torn from its original West Village bar iteration—like the bright red neon "Psychic" sign above the door (yes, you can get a psychic reading here).
Cantina OK!
Council Place, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Cantina OK! | Instagram
From the crew that gave us Tio’s Cerveceria almost a decade ago, Cantina OK! is a pink-hued pint-sized tribute to one of the world’s last ancient spirits: mezcal. Hidden in a very unassuming laneway, what this garage bar lacks in space it makes up for with margaritas and delicious cocktail specials.
Get ready to sample some seriously unique and rare spirits (there are about 100 mezcal and tequila expressions on show). We recommend you order outside your comfort zone, grab a slice of complimentary watermelon, and listen to the owners' epic Mexican travel stories.
Insider Intel:
- Since opening, Cantina OK! has earned a heap of awards, including a place on the World's 50 Best list.
Earl’s Juke Joint
407 King Street, Newtown
Image credit: Earl's Juke Joint | Instagram
Behind the old and worn facade of Betta Meats, you’ll find Earl’s Juke Joint. There’s also something super alluring about any old place in Sydney that takes walk-ins only (like Earl’s does)—an all-or-nothing vibe to say the least.
Every night, Earl's descends into a New Orleans-type bonanza with a nice lean-in towards cocktails, natural wine, and craft beer. Expect cosy booths, a corrugated iron ceiling, brick walls, dimmed lights, and music pumping louder than the last Big Day Out festival.
Insider Intel:
- You won't be able to grab a bite at this spot, so we recommend hitting up one of the best restaurants in Newtown for a feed.
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Love, Tilly Devine
91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Love, Tilly Devine | Instagram
While not really a secret for Sydney locals, you'll find this neighbourhood wine bar hidden down a very unassuming laneway in Darlinghurst. Easily one of the best bars for date night, Love, Tilly Devine has been stocking bottles from Australia’s best winemakers ever since it opened its doors several years ago.
The menu is a haven for snacking with marinated olives, fried halloumi with apple chilli jam, salted cod croquettes, Kingfish crudo, and then some larger plates if you’re that way inclined, like lamb pappardelle or pesto spaghetti.
Insider Intel:
- The focus here is on minimal interventionist wines—if you aren't familiar, it's time to get around it.
Huxley’s
32 Banksia Road, Caringbah
At street level, you couldn’t possibly know that Huxley’s even existed. Everything about its location is reserved—between an Anytime Fitness and an arbitrary car park lives a pizza joint called Ugly Pizza, marked by a red and white awning during the day and a glowing neon sign at night. It’s inside this pizza parlour that an obscure fridge door appears, leaking muffled cheers for UFC showdowns and NFL games.
Taking a leaf from the book of NYC sports bars, Huxley’s offers up an American diner-style feast with a touch of southern flair, perfect for soaking up the suspense come game day. There’s a whole lot of fried chicken, big burgers, ribs, hot dogs, and mac ‘n’ cheese pies.
Insider Intel:
- It’s no coincidence that Ugly Pizza and Huxley’s are so closely intertwined; the two venues are an extension of Highfield, the Shire’s only multi-precinct pub (hence the big focus on sports).
The Rook
Level 7/56-58 York Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Rook | Supplied
Tucked away on a rooftop in the CBD, The Rook is a sky-high hideout worth searching for. Somewhat of a late-night "ginstitution", this hidden bar gives off big New York City loft vibes as soon as the elevator doors open.
As for what's to drink, there are mezcal and honey mixes, Tiki concoctions filled with tropical fruit, a "Spritz Me Baby One More Time", and a "Spaghetti Western" made with bourbon, Amaro Averna and Amaretto. The menu is mostly SoCal-inspired with fish tacos, duck tostadas, fried chicken burgers, and lobster rolls.
Insider Intel:
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You can cop views of the skyline and stars through the rooftop’s atrium-style, retractable roof—which means this bar is a win at all times of the year.
Ramblin' Rascal Tavern
Basement/60 Park Street, Sydney CBD
Hidden in the depths of a Park Street basement, drinking institution Ramblin' Rascal Tavern is a must-do and one of Sydney's great speakeasies. Find it behind a black door marked with three skulls, then descend into a dimly lit den of debauchery.
Here, the focus is on cognac, which is a unique proposition in Sydney. You'll also find a decent selection of whisky, local beers, and Aussie wine. Try a classic Hennessy and apple or dive deeper into your cognac cocktail appreciation with the "Does He F&#k?", which features Hennessy VS, Tanqueray, Cointreau, house falernum, lemon, and bubbles.
Insider Intel:
- They've also got live music, running Wednesday—Saturday every week.
Papa Gede’s Bar
348 Kent Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Papa Gede's | Instagram
Hidden down a CBD laneway, Papa Gede's features a smorgasbord of traditional absinthes, Tiki cocktails, and craft beers, all tucked into what was formerly a mere garage. Signposted only by a flickering candle at night, Papa Gede's is inspired by NOLA, voodoo, and the melting pot of French, Spanish, and American culture.
There’s a tarot menu with rum-infused cocktails like "The Zombie" and "Mental Clarity", an aromatic elixir to encourage less thinking and more drinking (a potentially dangerous but somewhat delicious life motto to live by).
Insider Intel:
- You can also knock back a collection of international and home-grown absinthes or delve into spicy pork crackling, cheese platters, and housemade almond dukkah with olive oil and fresh bread.
The Baxter Inn
152/156 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Baxter Inn | Instagram
The combination of whisky, pretzels, and the blues can never be a bad time so take yourself into the stellar world of award-winning bar, The Baxter Inn. Head into a little laneway, down a fire escape, through a heavy door, and you’ll find yourself within an old Cue Design fabric storehouse turned sports bar (sans the TVs).
From the crew that brought you Shady Pine’s Saloon, The Baxter Inn was conceived from a love of Boston sports bars of a bygone era. This basement bar is one of Sydney's finest whisky bars, with over 700 to choose from and a dedicated whisky room in the cellar for true fanatics. The menu also dabbles in wine, spirits, beer, and classic whisky cocktails.
Insider Intel:
- A classic order here is their whiskey and fresh apple juice mixers, which they'll squeeze out in front of you.
Stitch Bar
61 York Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Stitch Bar | Instagram
Famous for handing out free cocktails and whipping up tasty hot dogs, Stitch Bar has forever emulated the late-night diners found in the back streets of NYC. Hidden behind a faux seamstress and below a big staircase, this vintage drinking den has a mighty food and drinks offering.
Wrap your hands around a spicy pulled jackfruit burger with red coleslaw, pickled onions, cheddar, and homemade sour cream, or dive into the "Mack Ducky Dog" loaded with rich duck sausage and dressed in truffle and garlic mayo plus foie gras. Curly fries, tacos, hot wings, cheeseburgers, and a Snicker’s s'mores sundae (with toasted marshmallow, peanut butter, malt, cream, and bourbon chocolate sauce) also make a cameo on the menu.
Insider Intel:
- As for the free cocktails, be sure to let the bar staff know when it’s your birthday so you can cop a celebratory mixer of the good stuff.
The Barber Shop
89 York Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Barber Shop | Supplied
York Street’s famed gin bar is not so much a "secret" as it is an award-winning bar behind a silver door in an actual barbershop. During the day, The Barber Shop is just as the name describes—a parlour offering grooming services like blade hot towel shaves and beard styling with essential oils.
Towards the end of the day, the faint sounds of cocktail shakers can be heard from the shop’s hidden cocktail bar which houses an impressive collection of over 700 gins from all around the world. The bar has won numerous awards and you’ll be privy to a range of goodies—gin flights, classic cocktails, spirits, and a dedicated gin-inspired food menu.
Insider Intel:
- Work your way through every kind of Martini possible, and don't skip the duck sausage rolls or the truffled three-cheese toastie.
Old Mate’s Place
Level 4/199 Clarence Street, Sydney
It’s home to a mi goreng Bloody Mary and one hell of a Philly cheesesteak, so not only is Old Mate’s Place one of the best hidden bars in Sydney, it’s also one of the best bars in Sydney. Period.
Taking up a 98-capacity venue four levels above 199 Clarence Street (keep your eyes peeled for the green door), this saloon-style rooftop packs in leather booths, wrought iron chandeliers, Narnia-esque walls lined with bottles upon bottles of booze and naturally, what seems like an endless trail of festoon lights. There’s the option to get cosy in some cubicle seating or set your drinks up in the outdoor section of the bar next to an enclosure of tropical ferns.
Insider Intel:
- Downstairs, you'll find their sister bar Old Love's, serving rum, cocktails, and Caribbean-inspired snacks.
Main image credit: El Primo Sanchez | Supplied
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