10 Essential Bars in Sydney, According to Industry Pros

There are countless reasons to plan a trip to Sydney, Australia: It has great beaches, fantastic nature with the Blue Mountains on the outskirts of town and bucket-list landmarks like the Sydney Opera House. As a destination, it also boasts one of the planet’s most thrilling urban cultures with world-class museums, hotels, shopping and dining.

And if you love to sample a local drinking scene, Sydney excels there, too. In fact, what might set this Australian heavy hitter apart is the variety on offer. You can find great spirits specialists just as easily as you can find a fantastic beer or wine bar. Sometimes, impeccable selections of all of the above might show up in the same spot. And you know that vibes in a Sydney bar will always be top-notch.

To find the ones that are most worth inserting into an itinerary, we quizzed local industry pros on their favorite drinking dens. Here are 10.

Image Courtesy of The Lobo

Best Rum Bar: The Lobo

CBD

Rum is a rising category all over Australia, and to James Christopher, one of the founders of Sydney’s Brix Distillers, The Lobo is the standard bearer if you want a bar that specializes in the spirit. This underground Carribean-themed spot, named after sugar baron Julio Lobo, is both comfortable (with cushy Chesterfield banquettes) and seductive—the kind of bar you’ll want to linger in for a few hours.

“They have an endless selection of Australian and international rums with an ever-changing cocktail specials list,” Christopher says, adding that rum flights are available if you want to survey some of the bottles that make up the 250-strong selection. “But if you’re just after a damn good cocktail, definitely order the Old Grogram with their in-house spiced rum and watch the team bring out the fire with a swirling gas canister that will set the cocktail alight.”

Best Australian Spirits List: Dulcie’s

Kings Cross

Thanks to its all-Australian spirits list, Dulcie’s is a hearty favorite among Sydney’s hospitality pros. Samuel Shepherd, the head sommelier at Neil Perry’s beloved restaurant Margaret, describes it as “a moody basement bar where Australian kitsch meets Bohemian flair.”

Here, his typical drink order is guided by exploration. “I usually ask for a martini with a gin I wouldn’t have seen anywhere else, or an Australian whiskey I wouldn’t have tried,” he says. “They recently reinvented the Sazerac for me with Archie Rose’s Whisky Gone A Rye #2, a rye malt aged in old Australian fortified wine casks. It was bonkers.”

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Best Wine Bar: Bar Copains

Surry Hills

It’s been reported that many of the bottles you’ll find at this cozy wine bar were pulled directly from the personal collections of owners Morgan McGlone and Nathan Sasi. And with options like Scintilla Wines, from Adelaide Hills, a handful of whites from Arbois, Susucaru rosato from Sicily and a tried-and-true splurges, such as Ruinart Blanc des Blancs, wine lovers have plenty to tuck into. But according to Christopher, what makes Bar Copains super special (in addition to the world-class wine list) is the ambience and the quality of the food.

“I think the food and wine menu rivals many of the best in Sydney,” he claims. “Anchovy toast, some sort of soft white cheese like stracciatella or whichever is on the menu and a delicious steak to share, then finish with the amaro creme caramel. Each matched with wine recommendations from the team.”

Best Neighborhood Bar: Caravin

Potts Point

“A delightful and usually (rightfully) packed neighborhood gem,” Shepherd raves, of this spot. “It’s like a Parisian wine bar-meets-street party, where people jostle on stools and crates spill out onto the street.”

If Shepherd’s review doesn’t inspire a visit, know that Caravin also serves snackable bistro fare, from juicy plum and tomato salad to a fried anchovy crostini dusted with bottarga, and fantastic natural wine from France, Australia, Austria and beyond.

It’s only a year old, but Caravin has already made quite the impression on its neighbors. Shepherd says their first birthday party was so crowded, it felt more like a festival. To get a real feel for the ambience, try to grab one of the outdoor stools for late afternoon martini and primo people-watching.

Best Party Bar: Little Cooler

CBD

From the people who brought you the now iconic cocktail bar Maybe Sammy, this newly opened hotspot is “all about vibe,” says Michael Nicolian, the co-owner at Continental Delicatessen. “It’s going to the funnest house party you’ve ever been to: graffitied walls, great DJs and quick cocktails will lead to a wild night!”

Themed events like Snoop Hour (featuring $10 gin and juice cocktails) and DJs spinning everything from rock to hip-hop might make you think you’re just here for a raucous night out, but the cocktails coming from behind the bar are serious business, whether that’s the Benriach 10 and banana high ball or the mango daiquiri with Bacardi Carta Blanca.

Nicolian adds that at Little Cooler, you needn’t worry about rolling in solo. “You’d be able to make friends; it’s the kind of place where everyone is social and friendly,” he says.

Best Bar for Food: 10 William St

Paddington

“The perfect restaurant-bar combo that brings serious quality food to a relaxed but smart bar environment,” Nicolian says of this two-floor Italian dining room. Bistro chairs and chalkboard menus lend the space a casual energy, and the food coming out of the kitchen is equally simple but delightfully flavorful, from the fresh pasta to slivers of red peppers marinating in a savory bagna cauda.

“Order the pretzel with whipped bottarga—it’s a signature that’s been on the menu forever,” Nicolian recommends. “And peruse the wine list, littered with phenomenal minimal intervention wines from cult producers around the world.”

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Best Speakeasy: PS40

CBD

This hidden boîte in central Sydney may not be the easiest to find, but given its reputation as a premier drinks destination, local cocktail lovers all know exactly where it is. It’s especially popular on Tuesdays, when it hosts collaborations with equally creative culinary partners, from Evan Liao of the Barangaroo House and Tommy Prosser. And to Nicolian, this is exactly what elevates PS40.

“Not only does owner Michael Chiem bring the most delicious cocktails but he also brings together the dining community,” Nicolian adds. “Via Takeover Tuesday, chefs get to come in and express their style of food away from the restaurants they regularly work at.”

For drinks, he recommends trying the Breakfast Negroni, “a coffee cocktail with a serious wow factor.”

Best All-Around: Earl’s Juke Joint

Newtown

Specialty bars are great, but sometimes, you just want a bar that does it all. And that’s exactly what you get at this lively hotspot in Newtown.

“Such a fantastic all-round bar,” Nicolian says. “Amazing spirit selection and great wine list, plus the bartending is clean, the music is fun and the crowd is grown up.”

There isn’t a single jukebox to be seen, but the eclectic mix of tunes set the mood for a great night out. Tucked inside a former butcher shop, the long bar inside allows for plenty of space for you to saddle up to one of the easy-going (but talented) bartenders.

The sharp inventory of booze here means you’ll get a hiqh-quality drink regardless of what you’re in the mood for: Australian beer, Champagne, whiskey neat or something from the dedicated cocktail list. “And don’t be shy to order off the menu for a classic,” Nicolian says. “Earl’s has one of the best martinis in town!”

Best New Bar: Disco Pantera

CBD

This newcomer may have only landed in Sydney in September 2024, but its good looks and great drinks have already made it a big hit among the city’s discerning drinkers.

Inspired by the clandestine style of a NYC bar from the 1970s, Disco Pantera is as visually beguiling (with blue leather chairs, a floor-to-ceiling Picasso tapestry and disco ball, natch) as it is a good time.

“Late night New York cocktail bar meets gallery meets sexy ’70s discotheque,” Shepherd says. “I usually go after work, and see plenty of fellow hospitality professionals from around the city enjoying a knock-off margarita.”

The drinks menu features a lot of the same bold, playful flair that you’ll find in the decor. Take the Paper Crane, a riff on the classic Paper Plane that Shepherd says comes with fresh pomegranate and an origami crane garnish. “The blaze of color and insane attention to detail were very much on brand for the venue as a whole,” he adds.

Best Bar with a View: The Glenmore

The Rocks

It’s not hard to find a great rooftop bar in a city like Sydney, but according to Christopher, what makes The Glenmore standout are the unobstructed views of both Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. This is often his pick when friends from out of town are visiting.

“A great spot for lunch so order a classic pub meal and a cold beer and look over the prettiest harbour in the world,” he says. He recommends arriving just a little before noon to secure better seats on the rooftop.