Sydney is filled with underground whisky clubs, decadent 1920s-themed bars, and sky-high cocktail bars, but a new wave of wine bars is entering the scene. The new league of by-the-glass establishments champion wine, and food is secondary. From Pinot Noir to Pét Nat, Sydney’s wine bars offer a refined and sophisticated drinking culture, where everyone can pull up a stool and enjoy a wine tasting in one afternoon.
They’re often diverse in nature, pulling from local small-batch wineries and experimenting with different varietals. Some are hidden, others masquerading as bustling Italian restaurants. The one thing they all have in common, they stock killer drops, offer a relaxed, minimalistic hangout, and are only just getting started.
Step into one of Sydney’s best wine bars the next time you’re looking for a glass of wine or two.
Lil Sis
Chippendale
Settle into this relaxed late-night neighbourhood wine bar and shop, inspired by the charming ‘cave à vins’ found in the neighbourhoods of Paris. Except this one has a DJ spinning French-inspired lounge disco tunes and it’s open until 2 am. Enter the cosy neighbourhood wine shop via the terraces on Abercrombie Street and either pick up a bottle to take away or pull up a chair at the communal tasting table and start sipping. Venture upstairs to the moodily lit wine bar and get comfortable in a booth or at the bar with a glass of wine, curated by head sommelier Zoe Brunton. The grazing-focused bar menu is also served until midnight and features a range of local cheeses; Pino’s and LP’s cured meats sliced to order; Gildas; and Ortiz anchovies and mussels escabeche. For a kick of nostalgia, order one of the jaffles—triple cheese; Heinz spaghetti with cheddar; or pastrami on rye with Swiss cheese, pickles and Russian dressing.
Bar Lucia
Potts Point
Looking for a romantic spot to settle in for date night? Bar Lucia is the seductive new Spanish wine bar, bringing a taste of Madrid to the historic streets of Potts Point. Inspired by the elegant architecture of the streets of Madrid, Bar Lucia, is feminine, with delicate ornamental decor, romantically strewn blooms, candelabras, and art adorning the walls. In the back, find a Spanish courtyard with a glass roof and atrium-style design. As for the menu, expect Jamon Iberico Bellota Pura, roast sea scallops on the half shell with saffron butter, and croquetas. The wine list supports Australian wine regions, particularly quality drops from NSW. There are over 50 drops, spanning the classics to the adventurous. Even the cocktail list has an air of whim, with Lucia’s Cheesecake cocktail—a liquid version of her favourite dessert made with cheesecake-infused vodka, homemade jam and blueberry shrub.
Mille Vini
Surry Hills
On Surry Hill’s coveted Crown Street are Mille Vini, a luxe Italian restaurant and wine bar serving impressive Italian bites and even more impressive wines. The expert team have curated one of the largest ranges of Italian varieties, pulling from Puglia, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Sardegna, and other notable wine-growing regions. The mood is romantic at night, with candlelit tables, dim lighting, and crystal chandeliers. During the day, it’s casual and fun. The sommelier and general manager, Ando, is an expert and more than happy to recommend tipples by the glass according to your taste and preference. Don’t leave without trying the food, either. They have light bites for grazing, or the dinner, many accompanied by a wine pairing, is the ideal date night.
Effie’s
Balgowlah
By day, this neighbourhood hole in the wall is a coffee shop, slinging steaming cups of java and cheese toasties. By night, it’s a wine bar serving up good food and natural wines. The iconic Calacatta viola marble corner shop is one of the most photographed windows in Sydney, and now it’s also a drinking hotspot. You first notice the floating shelves of wine bottles hovering above a bench seat when you walk in. The minimalist design keeps it clean and raw, two components you will find echoed in the food and drink menu. Most wines are local, although you will find a few bottles from Italy and France. To snack on, expect to see stracciatella with cherry tomato and raspberry dressing, enoki mushroom tostada, koji cucumber, and more.
La Salut
Redfern
What was once a former sports bar is now a wine nook inspired by a Barcelona suburb called La Salut. After spending a summer there, owners decided to bring their memories and tastes of Barcelona to Sydney, pouring over 200 bottles from Spain, including the big hitters and shining a light on contemporary winemakers in the region. If you’re unsure which glass to sample, the sommelier is always there to help recommend. They also make cocktails such as a Madeira Spritz and other Spanish-inspired concoctions. As for the food, it’s all made to share, although it’s known to cause fights over who’s going to nab the last croqueta.
Knird
Crows Nest
Living out of sight down an alleyway is Knird, an unassuming wine bar that’s all about good wine and community. You don’t need a reservation here. Instead, they welcome walk-ins and are casual about it. Drop in for a glass of wine and a bite to eat. The wine list features organic, biodynamic, commercial, small batch, single site, orange, indigenous—the list goes on, so if you love your wine, this is the place for you. The food menu is a mix of Australian and European cuisine, with the likes of patatas bravas, Sydney rock oysters, Prosciutto and burrata gracing the menu.
Gildas
Surry Hills
Trust Lennox Hastie to open a bar with lip-licking good food and a wine list to match. Gildas, the sister venue of Firedoor, mimics the vibrant pintxos bars you can find in northern Spain. The menu also draws on its Basque roots featuring Gildas (of course), Jamon iberico, grilled squid, charred leeks in romesco sauce, and fried school prawns. As with Firedoor, the ingredients are all locally sourced, but the flavours are international. The wine list is six pages long and highlights Sherry, a versatile wine with food, whites, sparkling, and reds—organised by region. There are a few rosés to choose from, a small selection of skin contact, and a section of dessert wines and digestive.
De Vine Food and Wine
CBD
As the name suggests, expect to find divine food and wine here. This European-influenced wine bar is small, but its position in the heart of the CBD keeps the stools and tables full weekly. Apart from good Italian food, most patrons come here to explore the extensive by-the-bottle list, boasting tasty tipples from European winemakers and a few cult-favourite Australian producers. To be specific, there are over 400 bottles on the list, so we suggest asking the sommelier for some guidance. They can recommend the best bottle for your taste or occasion. While you’re there, sample a plate of arancini balls or dig into a bowl of beef ragu pappardelle to line your stomach.
P&V Wine and Liquor Merchants
Paddington
Wine is in the name. This cult bottle ship doubles as an intimate wine bar focusing on natural and sustainable sips. The sunny courtyard in the back serves wines by the glass and a few bites from Chef Nicholas Hill (ex-Old Fitz). If you find something you like, pick it up in the bottle shop attached.
Love, Tilly Devine
Darlinghurst
With a 300+ strong wine list, Love, Tilly Devine is for everyone. It focuses on new and bright Australian winemakers, pulling everything from Lo-Fi to Pét Nat, and other easy-drinking wines. The bar itself is small, but the atmosphere is always buzzing with diners sipping and savouring a set menu of kingfish ceviche, pork and fennel sausage ragu, and sourdough from Fabbrica.
Fix Wine Bar and Restaurant
CBD
Situated on a quiet corner, this wine bar is considered an institution and a favourite for office workers looking to unwind at the end of the day. The wine list has over 200 bottles from small, family-run vineyards around the globe, so expect to sip and savour libations you’ve never even heard of. The wall-length blackboards usually tell diners the specials by the glass. Although, you can always ask for advice. The heavily European-influenced food menu is a good place to start if you’re looking to line your stomach.
Bartolo
Surry Hills
Bartolo is another intimate Italian wine bar offering an upscale interior and hearty dishes. The martini hour is always popular, but the wine sings here. The list is long whether you’re looking by the glass or bottle. Find reds from Sicily, rosé from Provence, and whites from the Adelaide Hills—among others. The food is also a popular draw, with gnocchi fritto, kingfish crudo, chargrilled zucchini, and pickled green tomato sitting on a bed of whipped ricotta.
Wyno x Bodega
Surry Hills
When Bodega opened, it quickly became a tapas hotspot; now, it has been reimagined as a wine bar after taking over the bottle shop next door. Combining Bodega’s legendary flavours with Wyno’s tipples, Wyno X Bodega is an unstoppable force of hospitality. The moody bar has an air of romance at night, with couples and friends sharing stories over a bottle of wine. The food menu changes quickly, but it draws on Spanish flavours. Think Gildas, marinated sardines, scallop Crudo, and spicy eggplant with stracciatella. Then, scour through a 17-page global wine list, including tipples from Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France, and of course, Spain.
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