Sydney – one of the world’s great cities. A bustling place full of fun, good times, laughter and beauty. What’s more, it’s a city that is teeming with great watering holes.
Looking for a great night out in magical Sydney? Then let us help you find a gem of a drinking venue in a city that is awash with them.
There are a few key factors that come into consideration when narrowing down the best bars and we’re here to take you through them. We’ve also added in a few pubs that are worth a visit too.
Not only do you want access to fab food and drink, but a great venue also delivers atmosphere and comfortable vibes. You’ll also want friendly bartenders, perhaps music and dancing too, value for money and oodles of fun and frivolity. So, let’s dive in!
Here’s our guide to the best bars and pubs in Sydney.
We’re kicking the list off with this little 1920s themed bar located on Ash Street. As it’s such a small space, it’s perfect for date nights rather than big night-outs.
You’ll find a range of traditional cocktails on the menu, as well as an array of their own creations exclusive to Little Felix. You’ll also find an exhaustive wine list with a range of champagne, white wine, red wine, rose, and vins prestiges.
What’s more, they offer a delightful little snack menu with hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie, and fromages (cheese). They’re open till late through the week and on weekends and you can reserve a table up to 3 months in advance.
Not to worry if you haven’t booked however, as walk-ins are always welcome.
Serving combinations you can only dream of from a Breakfast Negroni infused with banana bread, to a Rye Whiskey spiked with sage and sweet potato, PS40 promises to provide its customers with a unique concept combining experience, flavour, and great service all night long.
Bookings are advised. We suggest you get your name down for their recently launched Takeover Tuesday, where local chefs plate up menus with matching cocktails.
You’ll find this themed bar on Abercrombie Lane and it is easily one of the best bars and pubs in Sydney. The inspiration here is prohibition, and for those who are unsure of this term, that means lots of jazz and funky 1920s costumes, all within a gorgeous space with a vaulted ceiling.
They offer live music, an electric atmosphere, and a full food menu that specialises in melted cheese. So if you fancy a cheese-dipped pretzel with your cocktail, look no further than Palmer & Co.
You honestly can’t talk about the best bars and pubs in Sydney (if not Australia) and not mention Maybe Sammy.
Multi-award winning for its menu, drinks, staff and general fabulousness, this chic, sleek venue is setting the standard for fashionable cocktail bars.
The vibe is very much 1950s and you could almost imagine Frank Sinatra sat at a table, sipping one of the 14 bespoke cocktails that the clearly talented team have dreamt up. As beautiful as they are clever, the cocktails at Maybe Sammy’s are world class. And they taste divine too!
If you think putting cucumber in your gin is the height of sophistication, you can take the veggie content up a notch with the superbly named You Don’t Win Friends With Salad ($24). A stunning tipple of Hendrick’s Gin, Olive Oil Tio Fino Sherry, Empirical Spirits Helena, Olive Oil, Basil, Watermelon & Tomato Soda and Olive Oil Air.
Incidentally, the furore around the libations at Maybe Sammy is such that their mixologists have put together an evolving menu of Maybe Sammy Cocktails that can be bought online. Hit the link for more info.
This neighborhood bar located on Kent Street offers cocktails with a twist. Named after the voodoo spirit of lust and laughter, you’re guaranteed a fun night out.
Infused with the spirit of witch-doctor apothecary, classic and tiki cocktails, homemade elixirs, absinthes, and beers, the drinks will never disappoint. They’re all served up with plenty of soul and rituals of relaxation.
Booking is advised but for smaller groups, Papa Gede’s does hold tables every night for walk-ins. So if you forget to book, don’t be afraid to try it out anyway. You can even bring along your pooch.
And having enjoyed a couple of drinks here on our last trip up the the Harbour City, special mention has to go to the awesome bar staff, who were both welcoming and fun when we popped by.
Located in Newtown, in Sydney’s trendy inner west, this bar is well the short hike across the city. This is a favourite with those wanting a taste of the Deep South, as it tips its hat to New Orleans and salutes the juke joints of the city.
This is a friendly neighbourhood haunt. Here, you’ll receive a warm welcome and get to experience the great atmosphere so loved at Earl’s Juke Joint. Whether you’re after a fancy cocktail, a tall glass of wine, or a fresh craft brew, look no further.
The bartenders are more than happy to recommend their favourites and you won’t find more accommodating staff elsewhere in the city.
It does however get busy quickly. With that in mind, we recommend avoiding it on the weekend if you don’t want to stand in line for hours. But its popularity can only be a good thing, right? We feel it’s proof that this is one of the finest bars and pubs in Sydney.
This delightful bistro can be found in Newtown. And yes, as the name says, it is both a deli and a bar.
Don’t be put off by the ‘canned’ beverages. From canned margaritas to canned cosmos all of the drinks are freshly made and canned on-site. Even better, to go with your tipple there’s some of the greatest antipasti in Sydney, killer cheeses, and fish – tinned, of course.
This bar offers a unique twist and an old-world atmosphere and we promise you’ll end up going back for more.
Offering a wide selection of cocktails from a Jimmy Jazz Bellini to a Bambi Woods, this lounge bar in Sydney was named after a dive bar in a cult Patrick Swayzee flick and promises a good time as you boogie down to Boogie Nights with all your friends and favourite drinks.
They even offer the chance of a dealer’s choice. This is where you tell the bartender what you feel like and they’ll mix you up something based on their expertise.
This bar takes you back to 18th century London and resembles more of a traditional tavern. In the winter, they offer seats right by the fireplace where you can sip on a pint and get cozy with your loved one.
They have all the brews you’d expect to find in a pub in Britain as well as a few great cocktails if you feel like going fancy. Their food menu represents traditional British ‘pub grub’, and includes items such as fish butties and Sunday roasts.
Located in Redfern, an inner-city suburb, The Bearded Tit has a huge community feel and values inclusivity. The stereogamous spinning tunes, drag shows, and crazy decor are just some of the reasons why it’s so great.
But more than this, the Bearded Tit is also a dynamic arts space for locals and the LGBTIQA+ community. As such, there’s always interesting going on within it’s walls.
Whatever, your reason to drop by, you can kick on all through the night and you know you’re in for a wild time. Flying the free-spirited flag and promising a warm welcome to everyone, The Bearded Tit is the place to be.
Editor’s Update: We are truly sad to learn that The Bearded Tit served its last Cocktail on 1 November 2025. We wish everyone involved in this fabulous venue all the best for the future.
Interestingly, the name Love, Tilly Devine comes from one of the country’s foremost crime bosses.
Happily, their food is just as good as their drinks selection.
A firm favourite to pair with that long glass of wine is the Japanese vegemite on parmesan toast. This winner brings a fusion of flavours you never thought you needed until now.
If vegemite isn’t your thing, the Sydney Rock Oysters are also incredible, as well as the fried halloumi with chilli jam.
Old Mate’s Place is arguably one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets. Navigate the flight of stairs and find the warm and welcoming staff at the door ready to help you have a great night out.
Embracing a love of tiki bars and the many attractions of a good rum, Old Mate’s Place has a unique charm.
They’ll be able to offer either an upstairs or inside table. Which spot should you choose? Well, we like the upstairs, where you’ll find one of Sydney’s favourite rooftop bars. It’s a great place to sip cocktails, dine on great food or celebrate with some champagne. Get there early on a sunny weekend afternoon and soak up the sun as you chill.
Like your wine? Head to Poly and you won’t be disappointed. With an extensive wine list and knowledgeable staff to guide you through it, you’ll be sipping it by the glass all evening.
However, the excellent drinks list isn’t the only attraction at Poly – the food is next level. In fact, we are obsessed with their Crispy Fried Potato, Salted Egg Yolk & Chives ($18). That – and a good glass of Pinot – and we’re very happy campers.
No need to worry if wine isn’t your thing as a range of cocktails, beers, or non-alcoholic drinks can also be found on the menu. But we seriously recommend to book in for dinner as well.
Nestled in the heart of Sydney CBD, this leading cocktail and wine bar is more than worth the visit. Hidden below the busy life above, this bar offers everything from biodynamic wines to fancy cocktails such as a Cantaloupe Island or a Chloe Amour.
It’s a great place to impress a date, being all moody, dark and intimate. However, if you fancy a cocktail night at home, they even offer delivery so you can get their great tasting food and drink delivered right to your door. What more could you want?
There’s a also a great selection of Sakes. A yummy Yakitori-based menu – the Crispy Cauliflower with Lime Miso Sauce is utterly addictive ($14). Plus a good range of Beers, including a number of Japanese imports.
But personally, we’re here for the Cocktails. And they don’t disappoint. There are some fun – and delicious combinations. However, our favourite is the Higashi ($22). A fruity, salty, sweet blend of Roku Gin, Matcha Plum Wine, Lime, Mint, Salted Honey & Rockmelon Foam, it goes down especially well with a bowl of the house Lotus Root Chips ($6).
Finally, we are back to pumping Surry Hills for the last of our best bars and pubs in Sydney.
Bar Copains has a pedigree that many venues can only dream of. The Baby of Morgan McGlone and Nathan Sasi (the former part of the DNA of Sunday and Belle’s Hot Chicken, the latter instrumental in Nomad and Mercado), you just know you’re in safe hands.
Like Poly (see above) at first glance, this is a very swish Wine Bar. But stay for dinner and you soon realise that it is so much more.
Honestly, any kitchen that serves A Plate of Mortadella, Pickles & Grissini has our undivided attention. Add to that a Bacon & Comte Custard Tart and a Roasted Blue Eye Cod Bouillabaisse and you can hang us out to dry!
But let’s talk about the drinks. Excitingly, quite a chunk of the cellar ar Bar Copains draws from both McGlone & Sasi private wine collections. And as these kids know their Pinot from their Grenache, we’re talking some lovey drops.
Add to that a charming corner location and a relaxed vibe and this could well turn out to be your new favourite drinking (and dining) destination.
The announcement that not 1, but 2 Sydney bars, are on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars has to get a mention.
The glorious 1950s tinged Maybe Sammy on at 115 Harrington St, The Rocks slid into 29th spot (it was No. 22 in 2021). Meanwhile, the tiny, but seriously hip mezcal bar, Cantina OK! , virtually hidden down a laneway in Council Place, came in at 41 (from 29 last year).
So do yourself a favour and give them both a go. If they make the top 50 bars in the world, they are clearly amongst the best bars and pubs in Sydney.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
