Knock back a few surrounded by your nearest and dearest. Afterwork happy hours, adorably plated snacks and charcuterie with all the works. A wine bar. A rooftop establishment.
Below, we've rounded up some of the best bars Sydney has to offer in 2025.
1. Herbs Taverne (CBD)
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Best for: everything amari, checkerboard ceilings, concise menus
Open: Every day
A newcomer to the scene, but backed by one of the city's best bar groups, Herbs is an ode to the negroni (my personal favourite cocktail). Situated in the basement of 213 Clarence Street, they serve a trio of spins on the classic cocktail, called their “Negroni Traffic Light” system. Under neon red lights and disco balls, you can partake in some house-made digestifs, on-the-house bags of popcorn, and the best part? They're open till till 2am. Daily.
2. Cantina Ok! (CBD)
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Best for: stand-ups, rare Mexican spirits, home-brewed liqueurs
Open: Every Day
Arguably Sydney's tiniest bar, housed in a garage at the back of a laneway in the CBD, OK! Cantina has standing room for, comfortably, around eight people. But that hasn't stopped it from entering global best bar lists and doing what they do best: rare and specialty Mezcal. Between an ornate Nepalese ice-carving machine and their booklet menu, you'll find one of the most comprehensive and bespoke offerings in the country – and that's enough for us to get in line to try.
3. Poor Toms (Marrickville)
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Best for: wine list takeovers, courtyard raves, gin varietals
Open: Friday–Sunday
This Marrickville warehouse is home to some of Sydney's most popular botanical spirits. Poor Toms is a bit of an institution – the birthplace of one of our favourite pizza pop-ups too: Pizza Oltra (who still do pop ups regularly). Opening their brewery just three nights a week for gin and music-fuelled shenanigans, this spot is also dog-friendly for when you need to nurse a Sunday hangover with your furry friends in tow.
4. Caravin (Potts Point)
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Best for: French wines, French food, French vibes
Open: Wednesday–Saturday
A new favourite on my radar is Potts Point joint Caravin, which boasts some of the chicest interiors and alfresco wining / dining the city has to offer. We'd definitely recommend booking ahead here – especially on a sunny weekend – but their daily Apéro Hour from 4:30–5:30pm is for walk ins only. The snacks are also elite here – we'd side our natural wine with some French fries and salumi.
5. Bar Copains (Surry Hills)
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Best for: apricating, people watching, crisp chilled reds
Open: Every day
This neighbourhood wine bar does it all – and with fish sandwiches, liver parfait, and perfectly cooled orange wines to boot. We'd opt to sit outside on a nice afternoon, under the shade of their neighbouring tree, getting a little winter sun in and indulging in some sourdough and vino as the sun sets.
6. The Levantine (Marrickville)
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Best for: ambient lighting, 5–7pm Happy Hours, Mediterranean share plates
Open: Wednesday – Sunday
The Levantine in Marrickville is your best stop for Levantine delicacies (of course), and hard-to-track-down original cocktails. They also pour some great drops from South Australia's Architects of Wine, as well as some bar-food specials like calamari and anchovy toast.
7. Dear Sainte Éloise (Potts Point)
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Best for: wines, side-walk dining, beef tartare
Open: Monday–Saturday
A place for wine and things to eat. A killer beef tartare. Shoalhaven rock oysters, and an orange wine that's ambrosia laden. DSE is an institution around these parts and for good reason. Tucked into the bustling Llankelly Place (right next to the uber-popular PIÑA), it a full-service wine bar, but also has a delicious food menu to boot. Definitely book ahead if you're keen (but you're likely to get a walk-in 2-top without much struggle early in the evening).
8. Lobby Bar at Ace Hotel (Surry Hills)
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Best for: DJ soundtracks, sunken lounges, interior mood boarding
Open: Every day
There isn't a night that isn't made better by sinking yourself into the deeply cushy conversation pits of Ace Hotel's Lobby Bar – a space where live music from a revolving selection of DJs is always on the menu. The M-O here is cocktails – and you'll find the city's coolest creative types here most nights, knocking off with a couple of them in hand. It's slinky and suave, but not in a formal way. The perfect 'drop-in-for-a-coupla' after work drinks spot.
9. Ante (Newtown)
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Best for: Japanese listening-style bars, vinyl lovers, sake
Open: Thursday–Sunday
Ante is one of Newtown's slinkiest spots on King Street – slinging sake and records, low-alcoholic drinks, and an extensive selection of Japanese cocktails and a sheeny wall of vinyl records. Styled after the jazza kissu or “listening bar” popularised in Japan, there's always something great on air. And alongside one of the finest curations of sake in Australia, you'll find a shifting food menu designed to pair. I wouldn't go past the Wakayama Tommy’s and a Beef tongue katsu sandwich.
10. Bar Freda's (Chippendale)
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Best for: Kick-ons, house-party-meets-wine-bar energy, dancing into the night
Open: Every day
Vale Cafe Fredas – the watering hole for Sydney creatives – but wipe away those tears, because they've reopened as Bar Fredas over in Chippendale, and still have some of the best Tommys on happy hour and a menu of delicious bites. (The jamon and potato chips are a MUST. Trust me.) Their happy hour extends from 5–7pm every day, and most evenings they welcome a disc jockey into the fold, to get bar-goers up and out of their chairs for some good old fashioned dancing the night away.
11. Lottie (Redfern)
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Best for: all weather rooftop drinks, Mezcaleria, spicy margs
Open: Every day
You'll never stumble across this one – mostly because it's located on the rooftop of Redfern's newest chic hotel The Eve. But we'd recommend carving out the time to stop by. The all-weather rooftop Mezcaleria and restaurant is 100% gluten-free with plenty of small plates to share. But their drinks menu is where they really shine: three kinds of margaritas, 20 kinds of mezcal, 40 tequilas, Mexican beers, natural wines and a selection of mocktails for those so inclined.
12. Whisky Thief in Prefecture 48 (CBD)
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Best for: hojicha cocktails, rare whisky, suave cocktail bar
Open: Tuesday–Saturday
This slinky joint in the new Prefecture 48 precinct in the CBD is a real highlight – taking the breadth of Japan’s 47 prefectures and distilling them down into a deeply comprehensive selection of cocktails and rare whiskies. Their signature Thief's cocktail is a winner, as is their Kill Bill Martini with a few matcha drops.
13. Nick and Nora’s (Parramatta)
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Best for: champagne, Art Deco soirees, imported cheese
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Atop the roof of the V By Crown building in Parramatta is Nick and Nora's – a luxurious post-prohibition style bar to enjoy oysters and champagne, terrines, gravlax and caviar. Pick your poison and position yourself on one of their outdoor lounges, their dedicated 2-top 'date space' or their boardroom (which has its own private cigar balcony). And when they say they're a champagne and whiskey bar – they mean it. There are more than 600 bottles of whisky available and 60 champagnes. Choose wisely.
14. Different Drummer (Glebe)
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Best for: $7 sav wines, tables with a view,
Open: Every day
Glebe's best spot for a cocktail and some live entertainment, Different Drummer hosts Jazz on Thursday, DJs on Fridays and live stand-up on Mondays. They have happy hours all through the week (and night) – and with over 120 years of history on their side (it began as a humble cigar and wine emporium), its been a cornerstone of the community for generations.
15. Chez Crix (Surry Hills)
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Best for: French style bistro-slash-pub, brasserie finishes, local art
Open: Every day
No Eastern Sydney suburbs inhabitant hasn't spent a wild night or two at the Cricketer's Arms – and above it on the second floor is its pub-slash-bistro Chez Crix. French fares are their specialty – think Ravioles du Dauphiné and Pâté en croûte – but they also sling a great beverage too, including cocktails, beers and a short list of natural wines.
16. Bar Planet (Newtown)
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Best for: all-you-can-eat popcorn, martinis (duh), bartender banter
Open: Every day
For a martini like you've never had, inner-space retro furnishings, and $7 seltzers during happy hour, head to Bar Planet in Newtown. It's bite-sized but always packed – so definitely grab a table or a seat at the bar if you can find one. Their specialty is martinis – for which they will draw you up their weekly special. As well as a rotating scorpino flavour (sorbet, prosecco, and vodka) – great for those hot summer months. Most importantly though, you'll find yourself supplied by endless bags of moreish popcorn (flavoured with something akin to chicken salt).
17. Bar Elvina (Avalon)
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Best for: seaside, seafood, sea salt focaccia
Open: Every day
Known for: Elvina's seaside, airy exterior and warm service have kept us coming back for more. And with an extensive wine list and a seafood-heavy menu located just up the Northern Beaches, there's plenty to keep us coming around. You can also wrangle a table for their weekly Wednesday trivia night starting at 7:30pm or head to their Sunday Oyster Club. For gatherings, their private dining room is the perfect summer hang that feels like the porch of someone's Majorca home.
18. Centro 86 (CBD)
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Best for: shaved ice, hidden entrances, groovy tunes
Open: Tuesday–Saturday
Hidden down a staircase in a back alley, Centro 86 feels like a subterranean dream as you enter – packed with people, usually playing some funky disco tunes (think Jamiroquai and Chic). Between their plush shaved ice machines, they're serving up some of the city's best margaritas (five different types and 100 hand-selected tequilas) until 2am every night.
19. Piccolo Bar (King's Cross) and Vermuteria (Potts Point)
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Best for: aperitifs, Euro bars, last-minute outings
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Potts Point institution Piccolo Bar and its sister venue around the corner, Vermeturia, are some personal favourite spots for a drink. If you're a negroni drinker like myself, these are your go-tos, with all the Italian herbal liqueurs your heart desires. They've got a daily aperitivo hour that serves $15 cocktails, and discounted small plates – and the food isn't to be overlooked here. Yes, you'll be asked to order at least one dish to go alongside your drinks. If you're feeling hungry you can't go past the LPs hot dog (a top five dish in Sydney IMO), or for something to peck at, a dish of olives or potato chips.
20. 10 William Street (Paddington)
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Best for: experimental wines, trattoria style feeds, skin-contact oranges and chilled vinos
Open: Monday–Saturday
Paddington is a Mecca of wine bars but 10 William takes the cake for many. Tucked into William Street, this two-level wine bar is always the epicentre of something great (maybe the reason why it's the favourite of touring musicians like Tame Imapala and Dua Lipa). Distinctly Italian, their food is rich and comforting – the focaccia and pretzels are not to be missed – and their wine list is excellent and extensive.
21. Lokal (Surry Hills)
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Best for: natty wines , intimate seating, sleek design
Open: Monday–Saturday
This tiny 20-seater bar is just a stone's throw from the old Crix, and while it is pocket-sized it's not to be overlooked. Between their Salt and Vinegar Martini and homemade potato chips, natural wine selection and hibachi-grilled small plates, there's plenty to please. We'd definitely book ahead to secure a group here.
22. The Cumberland (Manly)
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Best for: raclette nights, deli meats, high-flying service.
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
This underground speakeasy with a Spanish twist was named after the Parish of Manly Cove in the County of Cumberland. It was the Australian Small Bar of the Year 2021, hosts Jazz nights every month and serves up a a mean list of cocktails. Hidden behind a deli fridge door in the laneways of Manly, they utilise native ingredients found around Manly for their Foraged and Found menu and cocktails.
23. FAMELIA (Newtown)
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Best for: girls girls, supporting local, corkage
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Famelia is the kind of place you come to for a glass and end up staying for the night. Nestled at the Newtown end of Enmore Road, Famelia is a cosy wine bar and bottle shop by sommelier Amelia Birch, celebrating the craftsmanship of female winemakers through curated tasting flights and rare varietals. Guests can sip through three, six or nine glasses from a rotating list, many of which are poured from under-the-radar labels and accompanied by snacks like truffle salami and caviar-topped egg dip. There’s something intimate and electric about sitting at the rose marble bar while Amelia Birch talks you through a Cabernet Franc that tastes like salt and velvet.
24. The Caterpillar Club (CBD)
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Best for: Fish finger sandwiches, late night swings, an oozing gruyere cheeseburger, excellent daiquiris
Open: Sunday–Thursday
Tucked beneath Pitt Street lies The Caterpillar Club – a moody, maximalist late-night bar from the team behind Le Foote and Restaurant Hubert. It’s part cocktail lounge, part live music haven, and while there's usually a line – it's worth the wait. With a Happy Hour from 4–6pm daily, it's always free entry, and walk-ins only.
For more distilled nonsense, here's our favourite tequilas for any occasion and the summer-drinks we'd all make for the Europe-bound.
