From thumping dance clubs and historic pubs to world-renowned cocktail lounges, Sydney’s bar scene has never been better.
Sydneyis monumental — like seriously massive . The capital city of New South Wales is place to some 5.3 million multitude circulate over an telling 1,120 square nautical mile of scenic waterfront prospect , sparkle skyscrapers , panoptic fleeceable blank space , leafy residential vicinity , world - class museum , and — of course — a diverse raiment of venue double-dyed for all eccentric of recent - night partying .
For better or worse , live it up until the wee hours has long been an integral part of Aussie cultivation , from therum - soakeddays of the penal colonies and the heavy - drinkingSix O’clock Swilltradition rooted in the First World War through the fabulous exploits of the queer 1990s à laThe Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert . And who could blame them ? In a country where deadly flora and fauna seems to lurk around every bend , everyday life naturally need a littleDutch courage .
“ There is a public house for every discernment and vibration , and we especially attempt out those that have local producers , be it beer , wine , orspirits , ” says Gregg Peek , dispersion manager atDave ’s Travel Group , a turn company that curates and leads regular pub crawls and other booze - fueled jaunts in and around Sydney . Throughout his age guiding curious juicer around some of the metropolis ’s top bars , Peek has look out his metropolis ’s nightlife view acquire at first hand .
The Abercrombie|Photo by Dexter Kim for Thrillist
“ We used to be trounce , and then we had a flow where a good deal was closed down , ” he says , reference a dull period bring on by economical dip and , finally , the pandemic . “ Covid kind of interpose and everyone realized we demand a late dark visitant economy , so there ’s now a real thrust from all walks of living to create something newer and better . We ’re kind of a vacuous canvas with fate of new blood line , musical theme , and reimagining . ”
And all that invention is already give off . Sydney has conjure up its own stripe , so to talk , landing several spot on the covetedWorld ’s 50 Best Bars listover the last few years thanks to the cocktail masterminds behindMaybe SammyandCantina OK ! , among other achievements . answer it to say , there ’s never been a good time to go magnanimous Down Under … and these are the practiced topographic point to do it .
The Bearded Tit
RedfernStashed away on a residential section of Regent Street , this quirky LGBTQ+ community bar and arts infinite stick out like a sore thumb in the rank best path potential . Stroll inside and you ’ll be meet with a family of tchotchkes , a fun - loving crew , boundary - tug artistry exhibits , and some damn good drinks . There ’s never a slow import here , where a put - back good afternoon of classical cocktails in the welcoming courtyard could well slide into a debaucherous queer dance party . Come for yourself to see just how they live up to their motto , “ A place for insurgent and fluro beasts , where hard lovemaking and tender freaks rule . ”
Le Foote
The RocksWine and conversation more your tantrum ? Head down to the Rocks for this latterly converted historic George Street muffin and its curious , multi - structure layout that provides plenty of nook and cranny hone for stealing away with a cocktail and some quality company . Out front , the original Phillip ’s Foote bar , now strewn with period - appropriate nontextual matter and vintage wine-colored bottle , welcomes folks in off the street with the hope of ardent food and good swallow , while a web of garden , dining room , and a disjoined , more intimate taproom await through the back doorway — all of which tend to fill up quickly in the evenings . Make your manner to the back and order a Negroni from one of the doting suited servers to kick off your nighttime in true European Summer fashion .
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
Millers PointThe oldest continuously licensed hotel in Sydney , this iconic pub has been keeping Millers Point in suds since 1841 . What start as a three - story position to dwell your head after one too many has evolved into a cozy hideout where regulars clink theater - brewed pint over pick bites that take pub grub to an entirely unexampled level . As for the vibes , they ’re fittingly former - schooling , the building ’s original arcuate brick and exposed rafters border a stately rectangular bar fitted with a long , shiny bronze rail for easy lean . Speaking of leaning — you may still reserve a room on a higher floor ( fully renovated , of course ) in typesetter’s case you , too , find you ’ve had one too many .
Maybe Sammy
The RocksArguably the most famed cocktail den in all of Australia , this accolade - winning lounge keeps locals and visitors likewise on their toes with a picture - perfect measure program and the staff to pull it off . The interior is clear and swish , with a streamlined back taproom , leather - describe banquette , and engild two - teetotum , but do n’t let the buttoned - up look fool you — This bar is n’t afraid to take risks . take its latest drinks menu , Mirage , which plays on the idea of illusion to deliver 14 experimental concoction guaranteed to push your taste bud to the limit . secondly only to the exquisite cocktails they produce , Maybe Sammy ’s other big draw is the nightly show put on by the barman as they exhibit their skills with theatrical flair .
Cantina OK!
Central Business DistrictWhat bechance when you englut century of bottles of top of the business agave spirits , a handful of crack passionate booze expert , and a whole sight of margarita - crazed Aussies into an back street bar the size of a big sport utility ? This unlikely CBD sweet talker , that ’s what . Since debut in March of 2019 , the little mezcal legal community that could has really polish off its stride , coming in atnumber 41 on this year ’s World ’s 50 Best Bars listand wooing everyone who manages to step through its modest room access with delicious cocktails , an up - for - anything atmosphere , and a bar stave who really know their spirits . Come early , come often , and do n’t be afraid to demand for something limited to sip on .
The Abercrombie
ChippendaleThree unlike lovingly freshen up venues join forces to make this 24 - hour Chippendale insane asylum once again one of the beating hearts of Sydney ’s nightlife scene . Start out in heritage - list Abercrombie , the former underground indie venue plough club , bar , and beer garden , on the flat coat story for felicitous time of day middy , infective dance party , and pizza by the cut . Then steer upstairs to Casa Rosa , a late - nighttime cocktail den with rooftop views and a swanky Italian air . And do n’t leave without pay a visit to adjacent Parisian - style wine-colored bar Lil Sis for a nightcap and a cheeky bottle to go .
Lazybones Lounge
MarrickvilleThis ruby - lit malarkey club in the Inner West suburban area is about as relaxed as they derive , an ideal date night terminus for luscious and imaginative bar collation , spot - on cocktail and craft brews , retro ’ 70s - inspired interior decoration , and a talented roll of jazz , funk , blues , and Afrobeat musician . If there is a cover , it ’s also jolly relaxed ( i.e. $ 10 AUD or so ) , and the medicine manages to reach pleasantly audible decibels without hazard into overpowering , conversation - prohibitive territory . If Sydney ’s top nightlife competition were to race , Lazybones would assuredly be the dour horse .
The Imperial Erskineville
ErskinevilleThis bi - level palace to all things LGBTQ+ has been a community staple since 1983 , even mark some very memorable screen door meter in the Australian cult classicPriscilla , Queen of the Desertnearly 30 years ago . And while Guy Pearce might not be around as much these Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , not much else has exchange . Downstairs lurks the terpsichore story , with its grinding bodies , slick disk jockey , and disco ball overhang , while the more low - key and effortlessly handsome upstairs bar and dining area host regular drag functioning , trivia , and bingo nights . The sleeper hit here is the Imperial Rooftop , a breezy escape where Sunday good afternoon crowd vibe over spritzes and slices backed by the chillest alive DJs .
Home
Darling HarbourWith four rooms propagate across two levels , Sydney ’s only real superclub has music to fit many gustation , whether that ’s thumping EDM and house beats , atavistic hip hop caterpillar tread , bubblegum 2000s pop , soulful R&B singers , or even a homespun male person revue show entitled Magic Men Sydney . Are the drinks anything special ? No , but that ’s not why you impose — You’re here to wile out the hour to your favourite tunes played over pristine sound systems while the illuminated harbor twinkles away in the distance .
Goros
Surry HillsPart after - hours arcade , part karaoke mecca , this atomic number 10 - ignite Surry Hills homage to the Japanese izakaya is 100 % late - night fun . stretch up on dumplings , charr - grilled skewer , and sauce - laden okonomiyaki before trying your hand at Spider Man Pinball assist by a few crispy - cold-blooded whisky highball . After you ’ve had your flipper filling , keep the political party going by toting your sake turkey into one of the colorfully painted ( and free ) karaoke booths for 80 second of nonstop “ Do n’t Stop Believing ” action . What could go awry ?
Maybe Sammy|Photo courtesy of Destination NSW
The Bearded Tit|Photo by Dexter Kim for Thrillist
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel|Photo by Dexter Kim for Thrillist
Cantina OK!|Photo courtesy of Destination NSW
The Imperial Erskineville|The Imperial Erskineville
Goros|Goros
