Best Bars in Sydney

Forty-seven floors above Sydney is one of Sydney’s best bars offering sweeping views of the city, harbour and beyond. O Bar is Sydney's loftiest landmark, but with neighbourhood warmth. While the world's best panoramas roll by, friends and colleagues gather at the fabulous bar to enjoy shared plates and creative cocktails. Dazzling and intimate; buzzing but private; hedonistic yet healthy.

Restaurant and Lounge Bar open for lunch Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm and dinner daily from 5pm

Tucked away in a hidden Sydney laneway is the trendy and cosy Esteban. Inspired by Mexican and South American flavours, this isn't your everyday tacos and cocktails. Crafted by a creative team who have lived and travelled throughout South America, this is where you will find original dishes that hail from their homeland. The moody dark timbers and warm lighting create an opulent space that's perfect for celebrating with someone special or sharing with a close group for a good time.

Lunch Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm and dinner daily from 5pm

Hickson House Distilling Co is the latest venture from the team behind The Barber Shop and The Duke of Clarence, a soaring brickwork building which was the former Saatchi & Saatchi garage.  Hickson House Distilling Co is creating  gins, aperitifs, whiskies and specialist spirit that you can enjoy with a complementary kangaroo dish; all crafted with locally-sourced ingredients, such as native botanicals from The Loch farm at Berrima in the  Southern Highlands.  Experiential tours, culminating with tastings, a spirit store and private dining experiences; with a mezzanine lounge sitting above an expansive bar, serving bespoke cocktails alongside a botanical-inspired menu are all part of this exciting new destination in The Rocks.

With striking views overlooking Sydney's CBD, Dean & Nancy on 22 is a swinging hot spot on, yes, you guessed it, level 22 of the ultra-luxurious A by Adina Hotels. There's a New York vibe; maybe it's the chic interior that spares no expense with its inviting leather banquette seating on the opulent cocktail menu that covers all flavour bases. The menu designed into sharing plates is a mix of classics like a chicken parfait, flame-grilled scotch fillet and a cheeky dessert of chocolate truffles.

Jump in the glass elevator and escape the hustle and bustle of George Street at Hilton Sydney's glamorous Zeta Bar. Stylish, sleek and sophisticated, Zeta Bar is a progressive cocktail bar with a European-inspired décor. Bringing the most prominent global bar trends to Australia, Zeta's experienced mixologists consistently drive Sydney's cocktail culture forward with fresh, innovative cocktail concepts that push the boundaries.

Housed within a heritage-listed building in Sydney’s CBD, Bridge Lane has launched as a luxurious, design-driven private bar and event space that remixes lavish speakeasy with old-world charm. Bridge Lane  space has a lingering sense of indulgence with Italian marble, lush copper accents, customised velvet lounges and custom-built bar. Bridge Lane is reserved for exclusive use and offers both corporate and private catering styles, including interactive grazing stations, curated menu packages, world-class cocktails, and wines. With pops of regal colour and textural opulence, Bridge Lane offers a myriad of possibilities whether intimate or extravagant. Privately owned and closed to the public, exclusive use of the entire venue is guaranteed.

Menzies Bar & Bistro is located in Shell House right near Wynyard Station in Sydney's CBD.

The bar and bistro menu features snacks, smaller and larger plates, along with a stunning cocktail selection and wine list, available all day and late into the night. 

Tuesday-Friday from 12pm-late and Saturday from 4pm-late

Situated within the luxurious InterContinental Sydney - Double Bay, The Bar is a dream come true for cocktail connoisseurs, inspired by the great bars of New York, London and Paris with an extensive list of beverages infused with local ingredients. The food menu showcases the best of local produce influenced by Italian, Australian and European cuisine. The Bar also boasts an impressive range of wines, ciders, beers and other spirits to suit everyone. A traditional Afternoon Tea is also hosted in The Bar, a perfect way to celebrate an occasion with fiends over a selection of sweet and savoury bites presented on Wedgewood. The Bar is the ideal place to relax day or night and promises an experience like no other. 

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cabana Bar is positioned perfectly in Sydney's Martin Place, bringing a little summer holiday vibe to patrons.

A place for cocktails, great food and good times and an escape from the everyday.

Open Monday-Saturday 11.30am am-late

Take a moment to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney's CBD with a visit to Highlander Whisky bar, located in the Sir Stamford Hotel in Circular Quay. This bar is one of the city's hidden gems, welcoming both hotel guests and those looking for a place to relax and unwind with a drink or two. Decked out with the old world charm of polish oak and marble, sample one of the many drops from all corners of the world. For something different, why not try one of the high tea whisky experiences

Dynamic duo Anton Forte and Jason Scott from Shady Pines have yet again succeeded in creating one of the hippest drinking joints in town. There are 360 premium whiskies sitting in neat rows behind a fairy-lit bar and a fantastic Australian wine list boasts a whole lot of Shiraz. Hidden in a nondescript laneway off Clarence Street, this secret basement-level bar should be on everyone's must-visit list. *The Baxter Inn does not serve food.

Walk ins only.

The Rover (formerly The Wild Rover) has returned with the charm of the old and the classy feel of a New York cocktail bar. The  dining area has been expanded allowing diners to enjoy dinner and drinks that include a choice of over 60 wines list packed with organic and bio-dynamic drops, cocktails and of course a good selection of whiskeys. Sit up at Rover's  dimly-lit copper bar and order a cocktail and a plate of freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters or take a seat for dinner and settle in for a few hours of good food and drinks.  The Rover is the best bar for a casual tipple or for a night out with drinks, dinner combined with great atmosphere. 

The Waratah is a Darlinghurst neighbourhood bar, downstairs is for walk-ins only and upstairs opens out on to a vibrant terrace bar , rooftop and wrap around Verandah serving cocktails and great food

Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-late
Saturday-Sunday: 12pm-late

Photography: Courtesy of Pollen Hospitality

Maybe Sammy is a serious cocktail bar on Harrington Street in the Rocks. A throw back to old school Las Vegas, the bartenders don pale pink dinner jackets and the drinks are named after iconic locations on the Vegas strip. Fun aside, Maybe Sammy’s reputation is thanks to the group’s creative director, Andrea Gualdi, who took out the 2017 Australian Bartender Of The Year award at the Diageo Reserve World Class Competition. Maybe Sammy does not take bookings except for groups of 10-25

Just like stepping back in time to the era of hidden and mysterious speakeasy's, Old Mate's Place in Sydney is full of old world charm and character. Make yourself at home with one of the many signature cocktails, while nestling in among the library of bookshelves and potted palms and ferns. The food is casual with a mix of toasted gourmet sandwiches, deli meats and cheeses, of course! No bookings required.