Is there anything better than happy hour? It’s that glorious time of the day when bars, pubs, and restaurants invite us in to enjoy drinks and food at mates rates prices. After a long day at work, a spritz or two is definitely on the cards.
Although, happy hour in Sydney is different to other cities because we have some of the world’s best bars right on our doorstep. Whether the bar is underground, in the sky, or sitting in a heritage sight just off a cobblestone street, Sydney’s happy hours are legendary.
Here are the best happy hours in Sydney to take advantage of.
Alibi Bar and Kitchen
Woolloomooloo
Situated on the Finger Wharf within Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Alibi focuses on ethical conscious eating, offering plant-based cuisine. Try our Arancini and Adonis $20 special—Safron Arancini with Bolognese and Truffle Pecorino paired perfectly with an Adonis cocktail curated with Fino Sherry, Regal Rogue Bold Red and Orange Bitters.
Beast & Co
Surry Hills
Beast & Co is your little European holiday in the heart of Surry Hills. Dig into the famous Beef Tartare or Ceviche or Beetroot Tartare with a glass of beer or wine for $20. Available Wednesday to Sunday 5-6pm.
Butter
Surry Hills
Drop in during BUTTER hours (3-6 pm) and put together a $20 selection from ice-cold beers, slushies and chicken wings. Expect $3 Fried Chicken Wings, $10 Boozy Fresh Apple Juice, and $10 Henny Cherry Cola Slushies or $5 Cherry Cola Slushie (non alc).
Surlys
Surry Hills
Every Thursday from open til close, get 1kg wings with a schooner of beer for $20.
Giul’s
Surry Hills
Giuls is your neighbourhood casual Italian diner that is all about homemade pasta. You can enjoy a truffle and cream pasta with pecorino cheese and a glass of house wine for $20.
Eileen’s Bar
Surry Hills
This November, round up the gang for happy hour at Eileen’s Bar where you can sip on a delicious Highball and nibble on a cheesy, gooey jaffle, all for just $20.
Maybe Sammy
The Rocks
Maybe Sammy is the 11th best bar in the world, shaking and stirring impressive cocktails that aren’t always cheap. Although, if you go between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm daily, you can get your hands on $5.50 mini martinis. They’re basically half pours of their normal martinis and are just as good. Besides, this way you can try all the flavours, from the mini negroni to the mini dean.
Sammy Junior
CBD
Sammy Junior, Maybe Sammy’s more responsible sibling, is best known as a cafe and specialty espresso joint, but they also serve cocktails, because why not. By day, the bespoke coffee blends satisfy office workers, and by night the calm cafe turns into a mid-city cocktail spot. Every day from 4 pm to 5 pm, you can get $7 mini cocktails including a martini australiano, coffee negroni, espresso martini, and more.
Cartel
Chippendale
As far as margaritas go, Cartel serves some of the best in the city. Instead of sticking to the usual flavours, they shake it up with a Nitro Infused Habanero Spiced Tequila Blanco-Agave margarita rimmed with worm salt, a coconut margarita with coconut washed tequila, and a take on chips and dip, which uses a cactus infused tequila with housemade guac and served with a taco salted smoked corn chip. They also have a margarita tasting platter or the margarita tree is always a showstopper. While there is no set happy hour, they always post on Instagram the deal of the day. Most of the time it’s $15 margaritas and of course taco Tuesday.
Dundee Arms
Darling Harbour
The Dundee Arms is a piece of history and one of Sydney’s oldest surviving pubs. Way back in the 1840s when it first opened it was a warm place to shelter, drink ale and eat hearty pub fare for the sailors and working men who once populated the area. Now, if you visit between 4 pm to 6:30 pm on Tuesday to Friday you can get $5 house beer and wine to go with your pub grub.
Harpoon Harry at Hotel Harry
Surry Hills
Happy hour isn’t just limited to the afternoon hours at Harry. Instead, you can pick up $10 burgers and $10 cocktails all day every day.
The Taphouse
Darlinghurst
|There are over 400 beers on tap at the Taphouse, and they love a Sunday roast, but to get more bang for your buck, visit from 4 to 6 pm Monday to Friday to get $5 house beers and wines.
Restaurant Hubert
CBD
Sometimes happy hour isn’t just about the drinks. At this French institution, you can save some serious cash from 4 to 6 pm Monday to Saturday with $5 G&T’s, $10 negronis, $5 glasses of wine, $10 burgers, $5 Croque monsieur, and $5 parfaits. Given the reputation and quality of food, there’s no reason not to go.
Butter
Surry Hills, Parramatta, and Chatswood
Head down to your local Butter between 3 pm to 6 pm on Monday through to Friday for numerous happy hour deals. These include $6 Pabst beers, $10 alcoholic slushies, and $5 non-alcoholic slushies, $10 boozy fresh apple juice, $3 wings and $6 Bopoeyes spicy mini sandwich (or 6 for $35).
CicciaBella
Bondi and Parramatta
When it comes to aperitivo hour, head to CicciaBella for $10 spritz, $10 mini cocktails or $5 wine and beers. Available every day between 5 pm and 6 pm, it’s a great spot for after-work drinks. They even run a special $4 snack menu, which includes prosciutto and melon sticks, crispy polenta, pizzette, and more.
Mary’s
Newtown and Circular Quay
Mary’s is an iconic Sydney venue that is known for its affordable drinks and infamous Mary’s burger. Although things can always get cheaper, which is why if you visit from 4 pm to 6 pm every day, you can get $5 lagers, $5 jack daniels, and $8 natural wines.
Carbón
Bondi
Carbón is known for its South American dishes and the make your own tacos, but if you visit from 3 pm to 5 pm on Fridays they have $14 margaritas, including frozen mango, classic and jalapeño.
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