Less than a decade ago, Sydney’s bar scene sorely lacked the hidden haunts that other cities like New York are known for. Now, thanks to a boom in the booze industry Sydney is filled with underground whisky clubs, decadent 1920s-themed bars and the classy joints you would take your mum to.
However, the best part of Sydney’s bar scene is the people behind the bar, serving, mixing, and shaking the drinks. They’re always up for a chat or have wild anecdotes to share. Here are my favourite Sydney bars for the best company and concoctions.
Bar Messenger
Circular Quay
Nothing gets me more excited than a speakeasy that actually feels like a speakeasy, so when I heard about Sydney’s newest clandestine wine bar, Bar Messenger, I rushed over there. The bar pays homage to its base, the historic Transport House, and the Roman God Mercury, also known as the messenger of the Gods. The entrance is via a buzzer and a pull of a wall-size painting, which is actually the passageway into the Art-Deco-inspired bar. Once inside, a wall of disturbingly yet, cool paintings of people with animal heads welcomes guests, leading them to the open space, where one side houses lounges for a more casual affair and the other tables and stools. The wine menu is as adventurous as the experience, with tipples from New Zealand, France, and of course, an impressive collection of Australian favourites. No speakeasy is complete without a list of classic cocktails, including a Negroni and a Tom Collins. For something to bite, the bar keeps it simple and casual with gruyere cheese toasties, a selection of salumi, and smaller share plates, including a must-devour housemade taramasalata.
Maybe Sammy
The Rocks
The Rat Pack era influence at Maybe Sammy continues to waft out a cocktail list paying tribute to Sammy Davis Junior’s 1977 performance at the Sydney Opera House. So, if you’re wondering what effect porcini mushroom distillate perfume will have on your cocktail quaffing, whether red bell pepper juice and palo santo are both necessary in a twist on a margarita or if mini cocktails can get any more fun (they can), then a visit to this bar should be on top of your list. It is also the first Australian bar to crack the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
Cardea
Barangaroo
In Barangaroo, a slice of old-world European glamour sits among the restaurants and gelateria, where chandeliers, velvet red booths, and a striking white piano take centre stage. The bar is connected to Bottega Coco, the neighbouring Italian restaurant, by a grand wooden door and a shared miniaturised food menu focused on grazing and Italian classics, like focaccia with an Asian twist of dumplings and sticky beef ribs scattered throughout the list.
The main event is the cocktails. They’re not your average cocktails; they’ve been altered in the best way possible. Take, for instance, the negroni, which uses a strawberry liqueur and balsamic vinegar — the best negroni I’ve had in Sydney thus far. They experiment with savoury ingredients like parmesan to create a gin-based cocktail or the Dorothy, a delicate balance of Pinot Grigio, elderflower liqueur, honey, aloe vera juice, and lime juice, resulting in a smooth, slightly sweet libation.
If you are craving something classic, they have a dirty martini, Paloma, margarita, and more. For entertainment, there’s always someone on stage, be it on the keys or guitar.
Vinabar
CBD
Vinabar, sandwiched between two hidden bars on Kent Street, has a deceptive façade of a fake Bahn mi cart. Despite not being authentic, its uncanny appearance has successfully fooled many passersby. Inside, the dimly lit space has only a handful of seats, including at the bar, and unlike other bars, the music is set to a low level, encouraging conversation.
The cocktail menu is small, but there is a rotating fortnightly special, and the signature libations include a Vinagroni, a robust pecan-wood smoked negroni, and a Vietnamese coffee-infused espresso martini. While the food options are modest, with a baby Bahn mi and a fruit plate, this bar is the ideal place to escape from the bustling streets, inviting you to enjoy laid-back conversations and sip on uniquely crafted Vietnamese-inspired cocktails.
Frank Mac’s
The Rocks
This little gin bar is home to Sydney’s largest botanical collections. The 80+ juniper blends have been sourced from all corners of the globe and will sit alongside a wine list of old and new-world wines. The cocktail, gin, and wine list is the result of a collaborative effort led by the venue’s beverage manager, Daniel Strahan, and general manager, Alex Rogerson. The original sandstone walls of Frank Mac’s will become home to the 120-person capacity bar, which flows from outdoor seating on George Street across two levels and into a back courtyard. The downstairs space feels cosy and intimate, with vintage leather banquettes, lounges, low tables and a fireplace.
El Primo Sanchez
Paddington
The legendary team behind The Maybe Group brings the same energy and quality of Maybe Sammy to their new vibrant tequila bar, El Primo Sanchez. Cocktails are served in traditional handmade clay jarrito jugs, while Mexican and Latino produce shines through each drink. There is a decent selection of agave spirits, mezcals and tequilas—some Australians have never heard of before. The food menu skews more traditional Mexican than contemporary, ranging from lighter snacks like tacos to more substantial but still informal dishes. The two-person karaoke bar in the corner is funky and oh-so-fun. I’ve never had a bad night here, and I guarantee you won’t either.
Four Pillars Lab
Surry Hills
Iconic gin brand, Four Pillars opened a lab steps away from its gin shop and distillery in Surry Hills. The destination cocktail bar is accessed via a discreet door that opens to a slightly dim-lit room, with a juniper blue 20-stool concrete bar taking centre stage. The moody vibe goes hand in hand with such a classy spirit such as gin. The menu showcases the entire range with classics such as a G&T or gin fizz and some inventive concoctions. During summer, you can pick up a paddle for $16, which includes a flight of gin and a bottle of quality tonic.
Rekōdo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar
Barangaroo
A nod to Japanese listening rooms, Rekōdo (Japanese for ‘record’) blurs the line between food, drink and music to create an immersive restaurant and vinyl bar with a Japanese bent. Expect Japanese-inspired food, sake, cocktails, and wine—all set to a killer soundtrack curated by a collective of tastemaker artists, played by vinyl DJs, and amplified through a Klipsch La Scala sound system. Each month a guest vinyl Selector curates tunes.
Old Mate’s Place
CBD
This bar is undoubtedly one-of-a-kind. Firstly, it’s set within a run-down office building. Secondly, it’s hard to find, and once you do find it, four flights of narrow stairs await. Although, once you get to the top, a drink is always waiting for you. The menu is ever-changing, but right now, you can get a Bakers Dozen, which is butterfat-washed whiskey, roasted walnut, and croissants with bitters, garnished with a housemade mini croissant.
Cantina OK
CBD
Tequila lovers, assemble. Cantina OK is a micro mezcal mecca hidden in a back alley on Clarence St, but is easy to see from the street. The pink brick wall stands out, but the crowd gives the location away. The tiny bar is the place you would find in Mexico: unassuming with quality spirits. Here, shelves are stocked with imported handmade agave spirits, which are used to make their world-famous margaritas with shaved ice and hand-pressed limes. If you don’t know much about mezcal, the bearded bartenders have recommendations.
Little Felix
CBD
Little Felix takes you back to 1920s Paris, where you would likely run into Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald sipping champagne in crystal coupes. Tucked alongside its predecessor Felix Restaurant, this moody bar has a cocktail list inspired by 20th Century Parisian hotels, using mainly top-shelf spirits and classic French flavours. The food menu is also heavily French, with a range of cheeses, hors d’ oeuvres, and charcuterie to pair with any beverage.
The Barber Shop
It doesn’t get any more nostalgic than a barbershop. Here, at The Barber Shop, revel in a bygone era, where taverns were called parlours, and murky lighting was a necessity. Enter via a functioning barbershop on York Street to find a tavern housing over 700 gins and slinging world-class cocktails in a simple setting. If you’re peckish, they have a small selection of share plates, including duck sausage rolls, truffled three cheese toasties, cheeseburgers, and meat and cheese board to pair with their international wine list.
Shaffa
Venture down a narrow alleyway between a 120-year-old church to find this slice of Tel Aviv culture. While their food is definitely worth a try, if you keep walking, you will find a bar enclosed in a brick cave, channelling a middle eastern aesthetic. On the menu, find cocktails like you would in the motherland, including Layla Lavan, which uses arak, macadamia liquor, coconut milk, and coconut and halva cream. Other intriguing cocktails include the Levantine Sour, a gin and pear juice drink with tonka bean syrup, and the Dafna, with vermouth, fino, sage, and pomegranate seeds.
The Baxter Inn
For most Sydneysiders, The Baxter Inn is as old school as it gets. Good-looking fellas pour the whiskey behind a fairy light-lit bar when you walk in. With over 1,000 whiskeys to choose from, they boast the biggest collection of single malt in Australia. The basement-level bar is a great place to hide from the city bustle for a few hours after work. The decor is old school. Think of low ceilings, brick walls, dark wood, and soft carpet. The bartenders can whip up pretty much anything you ask for, although you would be a miss to leave without trying a dram of whisky or two.
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