One of Sydney’s newest suburbs Barangaroo is growing exponentially, with restaurants, cafés and shops opening every month. And when it comes to bars, you’ve got every style — from pubs ideal for a quick after-work drink and speakeasies only the locals know, to sprawling rooftops where you can watch the sunset over Sydney’s skyline.
So, where to go? Ahead, we share some of our picks for the best bars in Barangaroo. Visit these on the weekends, after work or, if you need to let off some steam, during.
Status Co.
Status Co. on Barangaroo Avenue is part bar, part hair salon, co-owned by former ‘Married At First Sight’ star Jules Robinson. Order a cocktail or French Champagne at its marble bar before heading to the basin for a shampoo and rinse-off, followed by a blow-dry in your styling choice, including Straight Laced, Bigger The Better and Off Duty. The venue hosts events, like hens parties, birthdays and team gatherings, too.
CIRQ Bar and Lounge
CIRQ Bar and Lounge is one of the many venues within Crown Sydney. It’s located on a terrace, twenty-six levels up. To give you an idea of how exclusive it is, reservations open two months in advance, and to book, you must accept a minimum $75 spend per person. Cocktail highlights include The Earl of Calabria, with Tanqueray no. 10 and condensed milk, Copa de Clavos, with Don Julio Blanco, mandarin and clove, and Springtime Calling, with Grey Goose, Aperol and strawberry.
NOLA Smokehouse and Bar
At NOLA Smokehouse and Bar, the food and drinks were inspired by New Orleans, Louisiana, dubbed NOLA, with influences from Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as Southern BBQ. Cocktails include Cyclone, with Southern Comfort, triple sec and passionfruit, My Dear Lafitte, with prosecco, absinthe-infused lillet and bitters and Bohemia, with vodka, Aperol and apple. Come from 4pm to 6pm, and you’ll be treated to happy hour prices.
Tequila Daisy
Colourful Mexican restaurant and bar Tequila Daisy sits right on the waterfront on Barangaroo Avenue. Its cocktail list features margaritas and a selection of ‘daisy’ drinks, including Gin Daisy, Pink Paloma and Blue Daisies Bloom. The restaurant has wines, beer and soft drinks too. If you’re here on the right now, you may even be treated to live music by a mariachi band.
Untied
Untied takes over a rooftop on Barangaroo Avenue and is dotted with trees, greenery and colourful tables and chairs. It’s best known for its frosé machine with all different flavours and your choice of sugary toppings. The venue hosts DJs Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm, and hosts set menu brunches on the weekends. Every Sunday from 12-9pm, you can score cocktails for $12.
Smoke Bar
Smoke Bar is one of the venues within futuristic build Barangaroo House. Located on the top floor, it was modelled after bars in Los Angeles and New York, and looks out over the city skyline. DJs play Thursdays to Sundays. Sip cocktails like Pick Me, made with absinthe, blackberry and Monkey Shoulder whiskey, Chicken Salt Martini, with Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, chicken salt and koshihkari rice.
Cardea
Cardea on Barangaroo Avenue is a speakeasy cocktail bar, named after the ancient Roman goddess Cardea, who protected families from evil spirits. Once you’ve found it, you’ll spot red velvet booths, chandeliers and vintage furniture. Cocktails by award-winning bartender George Bekarian have cute names like Forget Me Not, which features Bombay Sapphire gin and butterfly pea flower tea, and Dorothy with Pinot Grigio, honey and elderflower liqueur.
Related: Make Believe You’re in Morrocco at This Sydney Rooftop Bar
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