The first time I tried a Negroni I very nearly spat it back out. It was 10 years ago, and my then-19-year-old palate was more accustomed to sickly sweet cocktails with oversized garnishes and (very cheap) beer. The Negroni in question was, comparatively, the bitterest thing I’d ever tasted. A mix of equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth, diluted just enough to bind the flavours and garnished with an orange peel, the aperitif felt less like a liquid treat and more like an assault on the senses.
Still, my friends and I persisted - mainly because we’d already paid for them, but also because there was something so inherently sexy about the cocktail. We felt mature, cool, ‘in the know’, not the close-to-broke university students procrastinating on a Thursday night that we actually were.
The power of the beverage knows no bounds, and though definitely an acquired taste, the classic Negroni cocktail remains so revered it’s carved out a whole week for itself in the world calendar: Negroni Week - an annual seven day charity event which sees over 10 000 participating venues across the world donating proceeds from sales of the drink to official charity partners. To celebrate this year’s Negroni Week, taking place between 22–28 September 2025, we rounded up the best places in Sydney to enjoy the beverage of the moment.
1. Continental Deli Bar Bistro (Newtown)
If you’d told 19-year-old me that one day I would not only love the taste of Negronis but would highly recommend you try drinking one out of a can, I’d have laughed riotously in your face. The joke remains on me, however, because Negronis from a can are amazing. It’s hard to stop at just one. Pair with the deli’s range of charcuterie or tinned fish and set your phone to do not disturb.
2. Bar Conte (Surry Hills)
Conte prides themselves as the "World's first dedicated Negroni Bar", pouring up 30 different varieties on any given day. The CLASSICO 1919 is A+, but if you're looking to try something a little more left-of-centre, I'd recommend the IL PROFESSORE 1963, which is finished off with a splash of Borghetti Coffee Liqueur. If you need something to wash down, you can book in at their Italian restaurant (the cheese board is a real winner here), or you can walk-in to the neighbouring Negroni bar for bar snack and beverages only.
3. Herbs Taverne (CBD)
The newest haunt from the Cantina OK! team, Herbs is a sleek late-night spot with a heavy European influence and a playful cocktail list. They’re open from 4pm until 2am, serving aperitifs, digestifs and $12 Happy Hour Spritz, with Negronis a permanent fixture on the menu. They use an in-house 'traffic light' system, offering green, gold and traditional red negronis.
4. Frankie Cadillac (Surry Hills)
Frankie Cadillac is equal parts rock’n’roll dive bar and retro cocktail lounge, which makes sipping a Negroni here feel like you’ve stepped onto a film set. Loud music, neon lights, and bartenders who know their Campari inside-out make this a great choice for a more raucous take on the classic.
5. Piccolo Bar (King's Cross)
An icon of the neighbourhood, Piccolo Bar has been slinging drinks since the 1940s and was recently revamped without losing its old-school charm. Their Negroni is unfussy, timeless, and best enjoyed perched at the bar while chatting to locals. You'll be asked to grab a plate of something while you're there, and while their olives and potato chips go down a treat, I'd highly recommend the Piccolo hot dog if you're looking for something to eat with a bit more substance.
6. Fred's Providore (Cronulla)
A breezy neighbourhood favourite, Fred’s balances beachside charm with seriously well-made cocktails. Their Negroni is a standout not only for its flavour profile, but also because it's smoked and served table-side.
7. Cibaria (Manly)
This Italian eatery leans into coastal dolce vita vibes, with a food menu designed for sharing and a cocktail list dominated by bitters. Their house Negroni is strong, smooth, and a perfect companion to plates of fresh pasta or wood-fired pizza.
8. The Dry Dock (Balmain)
As one of Sydney’s oldest pubs, The Dry Dock combines heritage charm with a modern drinking sensibility. Their bartenders are quick to recommend a classic Negroni, best enjoyed in the leafy beer garden as the afternoon sun dips low.
9. Table Manners (Bronte)
A chic little restaurant-meets-bar where the focus is on quality ingredients and fuss-free hospitality. Their Negroni, stirred with precision and served ice-cold, is a natural fit alongside their share plates and ocean-breeze location.
10. Bar Demo (Newtown)
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One of the newest bars to enter the King Street dining scene is Bar Demo, who are slingingi $15 Negronis all night on Tuesday 23 September in celebration of Negroni Week.
Not a Negroni fan but still want a chic cocktail bar rec? Check out our list of the best bars in Sydney right now.
