The 60 best bars in Sydney right now

What is it? Newtown’s bar and bottle shop that celebrates female winemakers and sells bottles of vino at retail prices.

Why we love it: Just like a nice glass of wine, we want to drink up this spot again and again. Each week, owner and sommelier Amelia Birch chooses her favourite 12 wines for you to try. So you can always pop in and taste something new.

Time Out tip: Famelia offers wine flights, where you can taste a bunch of half glasses. You don’t need to ask us twice.

What is it? Sydney’s first (and only) cocktail joint named after the dive bar in a cult Patrick Swayze flick with a ’70s aesthetic inspired by the Golden Age of Porn. 

Why we love it: Yes, the premise is totally ridiculous, but it absolutely works because squeezing into a booth, ordering a Stinger or a White Russian and belting out Boogie Nights-era classics is the definition of a Very Good Time.

Time Out tip: The Discretionary – a tequila-based number with cold-brew coffee, maple and whey – might just be the single best coffee cocktail you’ll ever taste. 

What is it? A cocktail bar/soda factory, where the inventiveness never fails to nail it. 

Why we love it: Ever tried a Breakfast Negroni infused with actual banana bread? A whimsical take on Irish coffee that toys with different temperatures? Or a Rye Whisky Sour spiked with sage and sweet potato? You taste something unthinkable each and every time you visit PS40, and regardless of how crazy your drink sounds, it always works. 

Time Out tip: Book a seat for Takeover Tuesdays, when big-name local chefs plate up set menus with cocktails to match.

What is it? Newtown’s late-night live-music bar and debauchery den where hedonism in all its forms is encouraged.

Why we love it: Pleasure Club is the first Newtown venue to be granted a 4am licence in more than 100 years, and it's just what Sydney needs. The mix of entertainment (live music and other types of performers) will ensure a different type of experience every single night, so no matter when you drop in you’re going to have a wild and fun time. Plus, the cocktails – curated by gun shaker Matt Whiley – are seriously wacky and wonderful. Think: a Vegemite Martini. 

Time Out tip: Before the live music starts, you can give a donation to the bar and they'll give you a token for the jukebox. And they do a plant-based hot dog too.

What is it? A glamorous rooftop bar perched atop the Cartier flagship store in the CBD.

Why we love it: Joji is the place you'd take an out-of-towner to impress them. The cocktails, while on the higher end, are creative, balanced, and pretty. There are stellar cityscape views, and the room glows with soft golden light as the sun sets. DJs play house tunes, and chef Paul Farag (also of Aalia) has crafted a menu full of yum, Japanese-inspired plates. It’s also open until 2am seven nights a week, so if you’re out and about in the city, you know where to head.

Time Out tip: Joji is classy – so dress up and come have fun. There's also a scallop and bug sando on the menu – order that.

What is it? An underground Negroni haven and an ode to the bittersweet things in life by the team behind Sydney faves Centro 86, Bar Planet and Cantina OK!

Why we love it: Herbs is dedicated to one of the world's best bittersweet, red-hued cocktails – the Negroni – and, as expected, they’re on point here. Order the classic, which comes beautifully balanced and served with an orange segment and an olive. There’s also a golden riff (gin, Cocchi, gentian, Chinola) and a green one too (made with gin, bianco vermouth and parsley amaro). Plus, Herbs – with its retro look, glittery disco ball and groovy soundtrack – is a vibe.

Time Out tip: Like all Mucho venues, you’ll get a bag of complimentary popcorn to enjoy with your drink at Herbs. It’s impossible to stop eating it – so just lean in.

Address: 213 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $25 for a Negroni

What is it? Darlinghurst’s two-storey bar with excellent cocktails, snacks and vibes – exactly the one you wish was just around the corner from you.

Why we love it: There are many reasons why we love The Waratah, but the carefully constructed cocktail list is at the top. The team champions a farm-to-glass ethos, and sources most of its produce from First Nations growers and NSW farmers.

Time Out tip: If you can, try to score a seat on the upstairs terrace and enjoy your drinks alfresco.

What is it? A pint-sized piece of history in the heart of Potts Point.

Why we love it: Old is new again at Piccolo Bar. After nearly 70 years as a stuanchly Italian coffee shop, the 20-seater was taken over by hospitality stalwarts and beautifully preserved. Piccolo is a tightly-packed step back in time serving up an enormous selection of amari, Italian-style cocktails, and a seriously good LP's hot dog to boot. Warm hospitality, incredible Italian-style drinks and a surprisingly extensive snack list, this slice of history is fully geared for now.

Time Out tip: Get in early and stay there late. This place packs out quickly.

What is it? An Art Deco-style cocktail and Champagne bar with a touch of old-world glamour.

Why we love it: Stepping into this cocktail bar 26 storeys above Parramatta's CBD is like entering another – more glamorous – world. Every little detail has been considered, not a corner cut. If you’re looking for a spot for a special night out, come here.

Time Out tip: Get there on a clear day to capitalise on the crystal-clear views.

What is it? A hidden underground tequila bar that’s like ‘an old fancy Mexican cantina on shrooms’ brought to you by the Bar Planet, Cantina OK and Tio’s team. 

Why do we love it? There’s a lot of fun to be had here. Plus, we dig the wacky, retro and Mexican-inspired artworks that dress the walls, the service is always really good and welcoming, and did we mention there’s spiced, zesty and incredibly-moreish free popcorn?

Time Out tip: There’s a Piñata cocktail on the menu, made with pisco, pineapple sorbet, chamomile and fuzz – go for that.

What is it? A staunch Inner West fave that tips its hat to rollicking New Orleans, behind a butcher shop’s facade on south King Street.

Why we love it: There’s hardly a warmer welcome in all of Sydney than the one you’ll get at Earl’s, and there’s hardly a better spot to settle in for solid innings. Whatever your thirst desires – a cracking craft brew, time-honoured cocktail, natural wine, or nip from the heavily stocked back bar – the legends behind the stick always have the answers and the know-how to back ’em up. 

Time Out tip: Avoid peak time on weekends if queuing ain’t your thing.

What is it? A trippy intergelactic journey through the world of the Martini.

Why we love it: It takes a lot of confidence to lean into a space-themed bar but that's precicely what's going on here at Bar Planet. From the industry legends that brough us Sydney institutions Tio’s, Cantina OK and the Cliff Dive comes the next great nocturnal adventure: a psychedelic Inner West dive-bar re-imagining the world's most divisive cocktail, the Martini. What makes this Martini so special, however, is the eternal spirit made just for the bar, with constant top-ups and redistillations to keep things interesting. A short and sharp list of Italian Sgroppino is a refreshing change of pace when, and if, you need a break from the Martinis which are poured from a height into your awaiting glass.

Time Out tip: Pay close attention to the olive brine gel inside your cocktail garnish, it's a fun surprise.

What is it? A no-frills Redfern mainstay that epitomises the ideal chilled-out neighbourhood local. 

Why we love it: Arcadia feels like a cosy, worn-in share house – the twinkle of fairy lights, shelves full of bric-a-brac, the omnipresent smell of toasties in the press and a chipper crew that always remembers your name. Whether it’s a glass of red, a Negroni or something crafty on tap, you always drink well here and the inviting charm never fades.

Time Out tip: Tommy’s Margaritas only set you back $12 all Sunday long, plus you can get Negronis for $15 on Thursday evenings until 7pm, and there's a $15 cocktail of the week available every day. Cheers. 

What is it? A 1970s-inspired New York-style cocktail bar in Circular Quay that channels boogie wonderland.

Why do we love it? We’re big fans of the disco vibe, as well as the cocktails – think Cleopatra Martini and Pantera Creaming Soda, inspired by disco-era cologne. Plus, the groovy fit-out by interior designer Cass Siow feels like a Saturday Night Fever dream.

Time Out tip: Disco Pantera has a sibling venue downstairs called Tigra, a Spanish-style wine bar. Throw caution to the wind and hit up both in one night.

What is it? A saloon-style dive across from the Enmore Theatre, captained by two loveable industry veterans.

Why we love it: Co-owners Jason Crawley and Dylan Howarth sweat the small stuff: swivelly vinyl stools, frosty beer mugs, carefully concocted cocktails, witty banter and a sing-along swamp rock soundtrack to match. It’s the sort of hangout bartenders love, and it feels right at home in the Inner West.

Time Out tip: It’s an obvious choice for a pre-or-post-gig pint, but you can also score a good old-fashioned hot dog if you’re hungry.

What is it? Part forgotten library, part unsuspecting CBD rooftop and home to some of the city’s choicest cocktails.

Why we love it: Sydneysiders love nothing more than “secret” bars, rooftops, serious cocktails and a side of good chat – and this bar has ’em all in spades. Old Mate’s has carved out a place for itself at the top of the heap, and it shows no signs of slowing down. 

Time Out tip: It’s open till 2am on Sundays, if you need to fight off a case of the scaries with a drink and a cheesesteak. 

What is it? Surry Hills' neighbourhood wine bar with classic rap beats and a killer fish sanga.

Why we love it: 'Copains' means 'friends' in French, which is an apt name for this gem by longtime mates and chefs Morgan McGlone (culinary director of Potts Point’s Sunday, and founder of Belles Hot Chicken) and Nathan Sasi (the founding chef of Nomad). Sasi’s partner, Sali, is also co-owner. The wine bar and restaurant is most certainly cool – but it backs it up by being unpretentious, relaxed, fun and absolutely delicious. It’s exactly the sort of place you want to go to with your best mates. And then revisit the following week.

Time Out tip: Did we mention the fish sanga? Order that. Also, if you’re a wine nerd, you’ll be stoked to know McGlone and Sasi have both donated hundreds of drops from their personal collections that they have been building up over the years for Bar Copains. From classic to funky, they’ve got you covered.

What is it? Now more than a decade old, it’s the little laneway bar that made a big impact in our wine bar landscape.

Why we love it: Tilly injected the doldrums of Darlinghurst with a bit of Melbourne's soul and showed us just how good we have it in our own backyard by shining a spotlight on Australia’s avant-garde lo-fi wine producers. It still does its things better than most, and you still can’t beat that coveted window seat for the ultimate date night.

Time Out tip: Get down for happy hour from 5-6pm, six days a week for $10 Mini Martinis, $10 Mini Negronis, $10 mysery wine and more.

What is it? The gilded penthouse cocktail lounge of the A by Adina Hotel, brought to you by the team behind Maybe Sammy.

Why do we love it? If Maybe Sammy is an ode to the Rat Pack's Vegas, then Dean and Nancy on 22 is their tribute to Sinatra's New York. Summoning the spirit of the Big Apple circa 1960, you could very well mistake Sydney’s city blocks for those of Downtown Manhattan (if you don't look too closely). Sure, it may not be quite Madison Avenue, but George Street will still do. It won Best Cocktail Bar in Time Out's Food & Drink Awards 2022.

Time Out tip: Every one of the signature cocktails has a fun game or a quirky gimmick up its sleeve. For our money, the sandalwood smoked rye concoction 23rd & Broadway is exactly the right mix of whimsy and class. 

What is it? The bar side of things at Bondi's Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. Located right next to the fine diner, Icebergs Bar offers those same incredible views in a breezy setting, and yes, at a more affordable price point.

Why we love it: While you do need to make a booking for the diner, Icebergs Bar welcomes walk-ins at any time – though this isn’t the place you pop in for post-swim with sand on your feet. The clientele are beautiful, the views are even better and cocktails are expertly made. If you've always dreamed of visiting Icebergs, dress up, and come here.

Time Out tip: Pair your Number 8 cocktail (Belvedere vodka, Campari and ruby grapefruit) with the Iceburger for one of the best food and drink combos going.

What is it? A Godfather inspired basement bar in one of the most historic spots in town.

Why we love it: Going to Apollonia is a truly transporting experience. Part the curtains and travel to an old-world Italian-style subterranean bar with plush fit outs and a cocktail list as long as your arm.

Time Out tip: Cosy booth seats line the stage area and make for prime smooching real estate.

What is it? What must be Sydney’s tiniest bar, tucked into a repurposed car spot at the end of an unassuming CBD laneway. 

Why we love it: For starters, Cantina OK serves the benchmark Margarita on the market, shaken with a 50/50 blend of tequila and mezcal, shaved ice and orange oil. But more than that, you’ve got to applaud the audacity required to pull this concept off and the energy it takes to pump out an absurd volume of drinks in what’s essentially a broom closet.

Time Out tip: While it’s easy to get carried away with those Margaritas, the mezcal collection merits a deep dive.

What is it? A love letter to one of the world’s finest tipples, the Negroni.

Why we love it: Bar Conte is Sydney’s only Negroni bar, meaning there are more than 30 types on offer that go beyond the usual mix of Campari, gin and vermouth. The intimate space is fitted out with retro Italian art and they offer late-night dining, if you’re a hungry night owl.

Time Out tip: Saunter on down for aperitivo hour (Monday to Friday, 4-6pm) and get your hands on $15 Negronis and snacks starting from $4.

What is it? A taste of Spain in Kings Cross, Vermuteria is a love letter to old-school European wine and aperitivo bars – and the sibling to nearby Piccolo Bar.

Why we love it: Vermuteria is red-hued and calling your name. The space is kitschy, retro, and has as much charm as Matthew McConaughey’s character in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Read: a lot.

Time Out tip: This place is known for its sherry and vermouth – chat to the friendly team and they will guide you through the menu. Keen to know more? They host vermouth tasting sessions throughout the year.

What is it? Enmore Road’s late-night live music bar by the teams behind legendary Sydney bars Earl’s Juke Joint, Jacoby’s Tiki Bar and the Cliff Dive.

Why we love it: Called the Trocadero Room, this joint has taken over the former HiWay digs on Enmore Road and is the place to catch up-and-coming bands, DJs, and comedy shows. Feel like a beer and boogie under disco balls after your shift? You can do that there, too. As well as late-night balmy action, come for jazzed-up retro cocktails, like a Frozen Midori Illusion.

Time Out tip: At the front of The Troc is “Enmore’s smallest pub”, called the Magpie, which is inspired by classic pubs and sports bars. Stroll on in for a ploughman’s plate, pint of beer, and catch a game of sport before a live gig.

What is it? Freshwater’s reliable watering hole for good times and great classic hits since 2013.

Why we love it: If you’re a Northern Beaches local, whatever day you stroll on in you’re bound to see someone you know. And even if this is your first time, you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by mates. The beers are always cold, the cocktails rock, and the tacos are highly smashable.

Time Out tip: Just like the waves found down the road, this place pumps. So if you’re keen to nab a seat, head down there early arvo.

What is it? Sydney’s former best cocktail bar by the Speakeasy Group, which reopened in 2023 in a brand new location.

Why we love it: Eau de Vie isn’t just about the excellent, razzle-dazzle cocktails, or the glam secret setting, or the delicious snacks – it’s a whole multisensory experience. If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary night out, this is it.

Time Out tip: This place also hits the speakeasy mark in terms of location (read: it’s hard to find). Here’s a tip: ignore the George Street address entirely and enter via Wynyard Lane (it’s opposite the Shell House entrance) – the same place you enter for its sibling restaurant, the Sanderson.

What is it? In the words of the dashing team sporting double-breasted pink jackets behind the bar: a “hotel bar without the hotel”. 

Why we love it: It’s a top-to-tail throwback to the roaring ’50s, from the swanky surrounds and Sammy Davis Jr tunes to theatrical touches like a Martini trolley and a ‘High Rollers’ cocktail list, all brought to life with razzle-dazzle showmanship. The international accolades just keep piling up, plus it won the title of Favourite Bar in the Time Out Food & Drink Awards 2022: People's Choice.

Time Out tip: The $11 Mini cocktails are the perfect primer while you pore over the rest of the list – and they’re half price between 4.30-5.30pm every day.

What is it? A Caribbean-inspired bar by the all-star team behind Old Mate's Place.

Why we love it: Found in a dark and moody basement on Clarence Street, the subterranean bar has taken over the spot where Ginny's Canoe Club used to be. And there sure is a lot to love here, including a 320-strong rum list with a fair share of rare and exciting tipples. The team also has a sugar cane press, which allows them to juice sugar cane fresh to order, so guests can enjoy a bunch of rums without tasting it neat or on the rocks. Now that’s neat.

Time Out tip: Be sure to try Old Love’s seasonal Daiquiris made from market-fresh fruit. They change weekly, but you could be tasting something like a Mango, Pandan and Coconut Daiquiri. Yum.

What is it? Newtown’s four-in-one boozer with a general store, a cosy wine bar and a hidden cocktail bar with topical vibes. 

Why we love it: Named after the Tongan word for ‘sun rays’ as a nod to co-owner Swan 'Swanny' Kanongataa’s heritage, Huelo’s hidden courtyard is where we want to be on a sunny day, drinking cocktails. 

Time Out tip: Dotted on King Street, Huelo is in good company, with Sydney favourites Café Paci, Bella Brutta and Ante as neighbours. Come here for a pre- or post-dinner tipple coupled with any of the above and you’ll have a ripper of a night.

What is it? A wine shop/bar/restaurant in a poky two-level space on the Darlinghurst end of Oxford Street. Downstairs is what's been described as a "tight, messy, chaotic wine bar like you’d find in Paris, or Italy". Upstairs is for dining on simple Italian food. 

Why we love it: Whether it be for a drink and a snack in the bar downstairs, or a more structured dinner service reserved for the second storey, everything at Paski is about quality: quality wine from quality winemakers and exceptional ingredients pulled together to pack real punch. That's why it won Bar of the Year in Time Out's Food & Drink Awards 2022.

Time Out tip: You must try part-owner and chef Enrico Tomelleri’s pappalá – a crimson spread made of milk-soaked cod, bread and tomato. It's addictive.

What is it? A gorgeous, classy, two-tiered cocktail bar at the top of Hotel Palisade.

Why do we love it? There’s no denying we live in a really ridiculously good looking city. Sydney possesses a truly indulgent amount of water frontage, plus iconic architecture, world-class green spaces and carefully preserved industrial landmarks as a reminder of times past – all this and we haven’t even left the harbour yet. And you can see it all from Henry Deane. Plus, we love the crowd-pleasing snacks and sublime cocktails. 

Time Out tip: Henry Deane now has a Sunday Bottomless Brunch menu to pair with some of the very best views in all of Sydney. We’ll cheers to that.

What is it? Shell House’s dreamy Art Deco bar.

Why do we love it? The seriously sophisticated menu and playful cocktail offering comes with a generous helping of sky-high style. One to keep in mind for when you've got friends in town and want to impress. 

Time Out tip: There are four stunning venues at Shell House, but you may not be able to tackle them in one go. We say start off with dinner at the Dining Room and Terrace, and then enjoy a nightcap at Sky Bar. Come back next week to hit up Menzies Bar & Bistro and the Clocktower Bar.

What is it? A colourful Mexican bar and restaurant by the Maybe Sammy crew with a karaoke room, fresh lime Margaritas and killer snacks. 

Why do we love it? The tipples here are top-tier, which makes sense as the list has been curated by an all-star team including Mexican-born bar manager Eduardo Conde. Choose from the Gimlet El Maiz, which uses a cordial made from toasted leftover tortillas (yes, really); the frozen Slushy Blushy, with a rose and watermelon wine, strawberry gum and lime, and a Margarita made from freshly squeezed limes. Tequila and mezcal are used to replace traditional spirits in classic cocktails; there’s Mexican beers on tap, in tins and bottles; and a Spanish-leaning wine list. Also, did we mention there’s a karaoke room? 

Time Out tip: There’s a button for tequila in the karaoke room, which is crucial when you’re singing your lungs out to ABBA. (We’re told the room is soundproof, still, we apologise to the guests outside.)

What is it? Potts Points’ wine bar inspired by those found throughout Madrid.

Why we love it: The decor is elegant (think gold-framed artworks, candelabras, chequered floor tiles and bottles of wine lining the walls), the food is Spanish tapas, and the wine list (curated by head sommelier Kasia Sobiesiak) puts a spotlight on female winemakers.

Time Out tip: This is a wine bar with tasty food. We say come here and settle in for dinner. Have a hot date coming up? This is your spot.

What is it? A sophisticated new lease on an old reliable watering hole.

Why we love it: Many of us have plenty of great (and blurry) memories of the Wild Rover, the divey old Irish bar of years gone by. But change is the one constant in life, and some changes are certainly for the better. The new and improved Rover has had a beautiful and warm makeover, with rare oysters on rotation, super refreshing cocktails with housemade tinctures, and booth seats as appealing as the limited spots at the bar.

Time Out tip: Try and score the tiny galley-like room secreted beside the bar for some cosy hangs.

What is it? More than just a Redfern local, it’s a full-fledged community hub that’s all about inclusivity and flying that free-spirited flag.

Why we love it: Stereogamous spinning tunes, kooky decor, drag shows and that permanently parked van in the courtyard where you can kiki all night – these are just some of the reasons why the Tit remains an eternal favourite. You never quite know how your night will end up here, and that’s the best part.

Time Out tip: The menu describes the Bloody Mary – or Hail Mary, as it’s known here – as a “religious experience”. It’s not wrong.

What is it? An industrial space in the heart of Newtown that focuses on all the joys of fermentation.

Why we love it: Friendly service, delicious food and drinks, and boundary pushing flavours, Odd Culture is the all-dayer that Sydney needs. An all-star ensemble has carefully curated a truly wild list of farmhouse ales, minimal intervention wines, and cocktails utelising rarely seen ingredients. Odd Culture Newtown is a raucous after-work spot, an elegant boozy lunch option and more recently, a great place to grab a breakfast cocktail and a plate of blood sausage topped, of course, with a just-cooked fried egg. What more could you want?

Time Out tip: Grab a window spot and a bottle of wine to watch the world go by.

What is it? The tried and tested Surry Hills go-to for tequila-powered thrills.

Why we love it: It’s just about the closest thing we’ve got to a honky-tonk down in Mexico. A post-work Paloma or three has been known to turn into a tour of the hundred-plus tequilas behind the bar and fistfuls of free popcorn – but hey, isn’t that why we keep going back? 

Time Out tip: Cocktail prices hit rock bottom between 4-6pm each and every day the doors are open. And you can now soak up an extra round thanks to the newly expanded food offering.

What is it? The Potts Point sequel to game-changing wine bar Love, Tilly Devine, with a more Euro-centric look and feel. 

Why we love it: People watching on a pleasant evening doesn’t get much better than a perch overlooking Llankelly Place, with a chalice (read: magnum) of natty wine. It’s dangerous just how quickly one bottle can turn into two or three here, thanks in large part to the savvy staff who know the superb wine list through and through. 

Time Out tip: Simon Drolz-Cox (ex-10 William Street) is now on the pans, so you’ll leave very happy if you arrive hungry.

What is it? A raucous and fully realised Tiki bar on Enmore Road that playfully nods to Twin Peaks, of all things.

Why we love it: While the Tiki trope often verges on the downright silly, it’s a bona fide chapter of the cocktail canon and the pros here honour it with respect and enthusiasm. If you’re searching for Sydney’s meanest Mai Tai, look no further.

Time Out tip: Party mode is in full swing on Friday and Saturday, but it’s a surprisingly civilised spot for a sneaky school-night tipple.

What is it? Arguably the most elaborately hidden bar around, on the other side of a 1920s deli fridge door, down a spiral staircase just off the Corso in Manly.

Why we love it: Sandstone, marble, flickering candles, fluted glass, scalloped banquettes, turn-of-the-century copper beer taps – no expense has been spared here. And there’s just as much detail in the drinks, which pay homage to Sydney’s history and wild ingredients that grow nearby.

Time Out tip: Two-hour cocktail classes let you enjoy exclusive use of the venue with a group of six or more, for $65 per head.

What is it? A CBD bunker loaded with Cognac, “shit tins” and some of the friendliest faces in the biz. 

Why we love it: There are plenty of underground bars hiding under office buildings in the 2000 postcode, but none quite like the Tav, which lives up to its name thanks to the urge it stirs to make a little mischief. It’s a real-deal boozer dressed in dive-bar clothing, and when five o’clock rolls around, it’s exactly where you want to be.  

Time Out tip: The complimentary corn nuts are addictive, but Mary’s burgers are on offer from upstairs should you need something more.

What is it? Marrickville’s very first dedicated wine bar – and our 2020 Time Out Bar Award winner for Best Wine Bar. 

Why we love it: Some wine bars are hoity-toity stomping grounds for snobs and wannabes, but not Where’s Nick. It’s the come-one-come-all spirit and neighbourhood sensibility, coupled with a cleverly curated list of affordable, conversation-starting drops and knowledgeable staff that make it such a standout.

Time Out tip: Grab a few bottles from the bar’s website if your personal cellar needs a top-up.

What is it? Where to head if what you’re after is a little bit of Old Havana and a whole lot of rum. 

Why we love it: Quite a few top-shelf watering holes now compete for your attention on Clarence Street, but Lobo’s staying power is a testament to its consistency. No matter the hour, the mood is always right the moment you descend the winding staircase, lean into a Chesterfield and leaf through the 250-odd rums.  

Time Out tip: Try their signature creation, the Old Grogram, which is made with house-spiced rum, stout vermouth and cinnamon that’s torched before your eyes.

What is it? A smart and elegant bar and gin distillery in the Rocks. 

Why do we love it? It’s a distillery, bar and restaurant in one, found a seven-minute walk from Circular Quay, so it’s ideal for a quick after-work drink. Plus, Hickson’s award-winning craft gin is kick arse. 

Time Out tip: Come on down to the Rocks from Tuesday to Friday, 4-6pm, and snap up two-for-one cocktails on a range of their Seven Spice Cocktails, including the Pearl 2.0 Martini, the Carrotini (which comes with an actual carrot) and the Hickson Rd. Red Snapper, which is their take on a Bloody Mary and it’s bloody delicious.

What is it? Cut-above cocktails in a moody, dark and narrow sliver of Potts Point.

Why we love it: Here’s that rare neighbourhood haunt that’s worth crossing town for. The staff know the specs to just about every mixed drink in the book, and the spiffy yet comfortable setting makes you want to stay awhile. It’s an optimal way to wet the whistle before or after dinner at the multitude of nearby restaurants.

Time Out tip: The food is far better than it needs to be (especially the burger), so drinks may well turn into dinner.

What is it? First on the list for a bar crawl in the Rocks, where your whisky’s steeped in history. 

Why we love it: No other establishment on this round-up backs up its enormous whisky stockpile with a backdrop like this – a labyrinth of crannies and courtyards sited below a heritage-listed sandstone beauty. The Rocks might be known for overpriced beers and faux First Fleet atmospherics, but this baby’s built with the discerning drinker in mind. 

Time Out tip: Whisky flights take you to the Highlands, Lowlands and everywhere in between, even as far as India and Taiwan.

What is it? An urbane Potts Point spot that plays like a glammed-up Barcelona corner tapas bar.

Why we love it: Some bars just fit right into their surrounding suburb like a leather glove, and Bar Sopra is one of them. The wide-open windows and glossy fit-out will beckon you as you walk past, but free-flowing Manzanilla sherry, Estrella Damm on tap, and righteously creamy jamon croquettes with truffle aioli may well keep you glued to your seat until close.

Time Out tip: You can count the number of seats on fingers and toes, so book or sneak in off-peak.

What is it? A two level Irish influenced cocktail bar in the Rocks.

Why we love it: Who doesn't love a heritage building in one of Sydney's oldest suburbs? The drinks here are as delicious as they are dangerous and on a bright day the ocean breeze makes this a top spot to catch up with your pals.

Time Out tip: Get in early to score the private drinking booth, styled after a library.

What is it? The small bar Chinatown deserves, backed by a bankruptcy-inducing whisky collection and bang-on snacks.

Why we love it: Getting your hands on something decent to drink around Haymarket is no longer impossible thanks to Bancho. The catalogue of Japanese whisky, as well as rare and independent bottlings, is hard to ignore, but a Shochu Highball topped up with Calpis and a couple of soft-shell crab bao will also cure whatever ails you. 

Time Out tip: Cough up $200 and you can store your very own bottle of whisky in one of the 38 purpose-built lockers.

What is it? An extension of the farm-to-table philosophy at Fred’s – Merivale’s top-tier farm-to-table fine diner – in bar form. 

Why we love it: Fancy a Scotch Old Fashioned with lemongrass and umeshu? Much like the restaurant upstairs, cocktails here take seasonality seriously and tinker with flavours the way a chef might. And speaking of chefs, Danielle Alvarez oversees the bar food menu, so consider it another way to experience her Midas touch (at a fraction of what it costs on the ground floor).

Time Out tip: The wood-fired flatbread stands toe-to-toe with any proper pizzeria you can think of.

What is it? One of the world’s most lionised bar franchises lurking underneath the CBD streets, marked only by the trademark neon ‘Psychic’ signage.

Why we love it: What’s in your glass is always complex, cutting edge and a tad high-brow at EO (hello, Woodford Reserve washed with truffle butter), but life is for living after all. Throw in steak tartare tossed tableside, burlesque dancers on the bar, and you’ve got quite a night on your hands.

Time Out tip: The tarot readings are pricey but legit, and they come with a cocktail. Turns out fortune favours the bold – and the thirsty.

What is it? Sydney’s tallest bar, a whopping 83 floors above street level, decked out in swinging ’60s nostalgia.

Why we love it: Even the most jaded among us would be wowed by the 360-degree views from the top of Sydney Tower. And while bars like this usually pander to the tourist trade and rest on the laurels of prime real estate, there’s a measure of polish going on up here that just can’t be denied. 

Time Out tip: There’s a smart casual dress code in place, and a minimum spend of $30 per head applies, so make it a big night out.

What is it? Picture an 18th-century London tavern smack bang in the core of the CBD, and there you have it.

Why we love it: In the depths of winter, there’s no post quite like one in front of the roaring fireplace with a Scotch egg in one hand and a hand-pumped cask ale in the other, with a Sunday roast on the way. And while it might look and feel like a pub, there are cocktail smarts aplenty here, too.

Time Out tip: Those roasts have a tendency to sell out, so booking is highly recommended.

What is it? The most awarded distillery Down Under, with a very handsome bar attached. 

Why we love it: Let’s face it – Rosebery is not the first suburb that springs to mind when you’re after a wee dram. Yet, the spirited greeting and the feeling that comes with being surrounded by stacks of whisky casks always remind you that Archie Rose is more than just a pioneering producer, it’s a primo port of call in its own right. 

Time Out tip: Their hotly anticipated single malt whisky was released in 2020 and has already been judged Australia’s Best Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards. Give it a crack.

What is it? One part whisky specialist, one part Ginza-inspired small bar and one part yakitori-ya in a nondescript Surry Hills lane.

Why we love it: What’s not to love about a bar that embodies the high art of Japanese drinking culture to a T? From the personalised service and the Suntory Toki Highballs zapped with yuzu honey down to the skewers of crisp chicken skin and the offer of a 30-year-old Hibiki poured over hand-chipped ice, Tokyo Bird knows how to stick the landing. 

Time Out tip: Not a whisky drinker? Scope out the impressive assortment of Japanese beers, shochu and umeshu instead.

What is it? One of the city’s defining gin mills, where you can cross off a trim, a shave and a textbook Tom Collins in one fell swoop.

Why we love it: Spirit trends may come and go, but Australia’s love for gin is eternal. The ‘compendium’ spans 700-plus labels, so if a juniper-fuelled knees-up is on the cards, this is the address to be reckoned with. 

Time Out tip: These are G&Ts done right, with hefty pours and all the trimmings. Don’t hold back.