Bars & Pubs
The best places to drink in Sydney
The best wine bars in Sydney
Sydney loves wine and luckily we've got a bunch of beautiful bars pouring some of the best drops from around the country and the world. Whether you're after natural vino, some cheese with your wine or you want to hit an urban cellar door, these are the best wine bars in Sydney.
The best rooftop bars in Sydney
We're all for a late night hootenanny, but sometimes there's nothing better than bending the elbow with the sun on your back and a cool drink to keep things chill. And we're not alone. Sydney's rooftop bars account for some of the most popular, and hard won, seats in the city, so get in quick for the glory spots with the best views. For more al fresco drinking try one of Sydney's best beer gardens, or waterfront bars. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best bars in Sydney.
The best cocktail bars in Sydney
No one is pretending that cocktails are a cost-effective way to relax or party in Sydney. In a city where $20 a drink isn't an uncommon price tag, you really want to know that what's in your glass has been shaken and stirred by the best in the business. These are the places that you can always trust to give you a truly outstanding drink in exchange for your hard-earned. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best bars in Sydney Hungry? Try one of Sydney's best cheap eats. Or head up to one of Sydney's best rooftop bars.
The best bars in the CBD
There was a dark time, not so many years ago, when after work drinks were limited to huge booze barns with no soul and pubs. Those were your options. Fast forward less than a decade and the CBD now possesses an exceptional collection of bars, from underground tropical hideaways to booze attics with cocktail maestros at the helm. You can drink life-changing wines, the freshest ales and fruity elixirs made from seasonal harvests, and sometimes you can do it all in the same place. It's a big part of what makes Sydney awesome. Want more? Sydney is filled with ace rooftop bars, waterfront bars and beer gardens.
Where to drink right now
Late night bars and pubs without a lockout
Lockouts may rule much of the CBD, Cross and Darlinghurst, but just outside of the Sydney lockout map you'll find a handful of bars and pubs ready and waiting to let you in after 2am. We've rounded up a bunch of them, from swanky cocktail haunts to local pubs. What time is lockout in Sydney? These laws mean that all venues within Kings Cross, Darlinghurst and the CBD 'Entertainment Precinct' cannot take new customers after 2am, and must call last drinks at 3.30am. State-wide, you cannot buy takeaway alcohol after 11pm. There are a few exceptions to these rules for specific venues, but on the whole it's what you'll find at most licensed venues within the lockout zone. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best bars in Sydney.
The best waterfront bars in Sydney
We are a city blessed with a truly ludicrous amount of waterfront real estate. Between the harbour, the coastline and the rivers that snake back through Sydney we have ample spots to sit a while and watch the waves. But when those places also have a bar for cold drinks and seaside snacks, you know you've hit the jackpot. These are our favourite places for drinks with a water view.
The best underground bars in Sydney
There's a lot of good reasons to head down rather than up when you're feeling parched. Underground it's always party o'clock, because even if it's 2pm, it feels like after dark. Plus you have no external cues as to the lateness of the hour so a quick drink can turn into a big night very easily. Drinking below street level is also deliciously climate controlled so on a blazing hot summer's day, or a torrential downpour, your best bet is posting up in one of Sydney's best booze cellars.
Sydney's finest
The Sydney bartenders' guide to hooking up
Walking into a bar – in comedy, it’s a classic set-up for a joke; in life, it’s a popular way to find romance. There are plenty of reasons to hit a low-lit, boozy venue when love is on the cards. Sydney has many great venues that’ll (responsibly) serve you drinks to calm your nerves or spark conversations with strangers. Plus, any interest is well-catered for: you can play arcade games at 1989 Kitchen and Arcade; bust curfew and exchange numbers at Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice over pinball and rock; or enjoy spirits the grown-up way at Rosebery’s Archie Rose Distilling Co., where you can tour the namesake distillery and make your own booze. There’s another big advantage to looking for romance in a bar: the staff. “The bartender is often your friend. If you’re at a good bar, they’re often looking out for you,” says Luke Ashton from This Must Be The Place. “I always keep an eye out for people on dates and try to make their experience a fun and memorable one,” says Jemima McDonald from Earl’s Juke Joint in Newtown. “If that means making them do shots with me, then so be it.” “You can spot a Tinder date a mile away and usually the whole front of house team knows about it, exchanging updates of ‘how’s it going?’” says David Hobbs from Dead Ringer, Surry Hills, and Bulletin Place, Circular Quay. “You may have half the staff rooting for you… I remember one which started awfully, they pushed through it, stayed on the wine and four hours later, they left ‘in a hurry’.” “You
The best pubs in Sydney
A lot of beers were drunk, schnitzels eaten and trivia answered in the search for the best pubs Sydney has to offer. We honed our pool skills, got surprisingly accurate with darts, and busted some PBs at Big Buckhunter in the pursuit of the venue that ticked all the boxes; welcoming, great beers, good food, games, entertainment, inclusive and relaxed. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are the pick of the bunch. RECOMMENDED: The 50 best bars in Sydney.
The best whisky bars in Sydney
Do you like your whiskies to taste like they've been filtered through a bushfire? Then the peaty drams from Islay are for you. Or maybe you like the cleaner, floral flavours of of highland Scotch, followed by something aged in sherry casks for that sweet, fruity flavour. American ryes are hard to resist; Japan makes a world class whisky and Ireland knows a thing or two about firewater. Whatever your poison, if you're drinking whisky, these are the Sydney bars in which to do it.
The best beer gardens in Sydney
Sure, we're good at swimming and rugby, but what Australians excel at is kicking back in the leafy courtyard of our local, sinking some beers and chewing the fat with our mates. Beer garden sessions are basically our national pastime, and here's the best places to participate.
The best first date bars in Sydney
No one is saying first dates are easy – there’s the reasonable fear you might insult them, bore them or that they may turn out to be secret racists. And it’s worse still if you think you might like them – so many expectations to manage. Do yourself a favour and pick a location for that first meeting that matches your vibe, be it low key and local or a litmus test for how they feel about the things you love best – namely wine.
The best bar snacks in the business
The best places for cheese and wine in Sydney
The Sydney venues for days when all you want to do is graze on a luxurious cheeseboard and put a solid dent in a bottle of wine while you catch up on the last few years, days or minutes of someone's life and discuss the age old question: washed rind vs hard cheese.
The best bar snacks in Sydney
As the line between restaurant and bar becomes increasingly blurry, it's now possible to make a whole meal out of the excellent bar snacks flying over the counter at our favourite haunts. These are the places we head when we're not sure if drinks is going to turn into dinner, but we want to keep our options open.
The best cheap steaks in Sydney
There's no tastier way to replenish your iron stores than with a juicy steak, and no cheaper way than with these steaks that'll make sure you've got plenty of change from a $20. After more bargain meals? Check out our guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney. After fun for nothing? Here's our list of the best free things to do in Sydney.
The best schnitzels in Sydney
Crumbed chicken breast or veal hammered out flat might sound like an incredibly simple dish, but there is an art to getting schnitzel right. The shell needs to be well-seasoned and to stick to the meat instead of falling off like an ill-fitting jacket. The meat needs to be cooked through but remain tender and juicy. And the quality of your sauce is a linchpin to the whole enterprise - good gravy is everything. We ate a lot of schnitzel to bring you this list – may our stomachs and waistbands have mercy on us.
Best bars by area
Newtown
A bar crawl in Newtown is the ultimate pick'n'mix for a parched Sydneysider. It's also great for anyone who would like the minimum travel time necessary between venues. Newtown's bars are all conveniently spaced along King Street and Enmore Road like some sort of boozy daisy chain, which means you can go from dog-friendly brewery bars to moody cocktail dens, neighbourhood wine bars, indie boltholes and rock-n-roll burger bars in no time at all. To make it even easier we've mapped out the best way to cram in all of Newtown's best bars in one hit.
Darlinghurst
In Darlinghurst you're spoiled for choice when it comes to excellent boozing options. Maybe you feel like nautical cocktails and a lobster burger? Or would a Boilermaker and a bowl of monkey nuts suit you better? The one thing we can all agree on, surely, is that when top notch cocktails are the order of the day, you want a five star bar with the best in the business mixing your drinks. You can find in all in this boozy pocket of the East.
The CBD
There was a dark time, not so many years ago, when after work drinks were limited to huge booze barns with no soul and pubs. Those were your options. Fast forward less than a decade and the CBD now possesses an exceptional collection of bars, from underground tropical hideaways to booze attics with cocktail maestros at the helm. You can drink life-changing wines, the freshest ales and fruity elixirs made from seasonal harvests, and sometimes you can do it all in the same place. It's a big part of what makes Sydney awesome.
Inner West
Not only is the Inner West home to many of the eccentric, creative and proudly rainbow tribes of Sydney, it's also where you'll find some of the best small bar action. Tiny little haunts slinging great drinks and keeping the vibes lively and local. If you don't have one already, your home-away-from-home is probably on this list.
The best pubs in the city
The best pubs in Sydney
A lot of beers were drunk, schnitzels eaten and trivia answered in the search for the best pubs Sydney has to offer. We honed our pool skills, got surprisingly accurate with darts, and busted some PBs at Big Buckhunter in the pursuit of the venue that ticked all the boxes; welcoming, great beers, good food, games, entertainment, inclusive and relaxed. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are the pick of the bunch.
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Time Out Sydney Bar Awards
Save the date: the annual Time Out Sydney Bar Awards are coming to Oxford Art Factory on Sunday March 10. Join us as we toast the city’s best cocktail bars, new bars, wine bars, bartenders, rising stars and more at the party for the party-makers.You can expect an afternoon of delicious drinks, great food and sweet tunes in celebration of our stunning and resilient bar scene. Tickets ($70 + BF) include all food and drinks, and are on sale now. Got a favourite bar? Why not vote for it in the People's Choice Award? Nominees in most categories will be announced soon, so watch this space. What will be named Sydney's Bar of the Year for 2019?
Insider’s guide to Bangkok and Phuket
One of the most-visited destinations in the world, Thailand is an explosion of scents, flavours and experiences, bursting with places to see, things to do and food to eat. The Thai capital, Bangkok, is a cosmopolitan metropolis that boasts a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient spired temples sitting alongside glittering high-rise structures; buzzing night markets set amid modern malls; and shophouse eateries coexisting with swanky restaurants. Bangkok serves as a gateway to many other parts of Thailand, including Phuket, the country’s biggest and busiest island. An irresistible draw for beach lovers for its azure-blue waters and powdery stretches of sand, Phuket is also home to luxurious resorts, world-class spa retreats, an incredible food scene and a vibrant nightlife. In association with Amazing Thailand, Time Out has created an Insider's guide to Bangkok and Phuket, as a downloadable handbook. This handy guide to two of Thailand's most popular destinations fleshes out popular places of interest as well as off-the-beaten-track gems, and rounds up where to eat, what to do, where to get your massage fix, and how to make the most of your visit. Explore more of Bangkok and Phuket Make the most of your visit with our handy guide to the best places to see, things to do and food to eat. Download the full guide
Win a double pass to Time Out’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year preview party
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour is one of most exciting photographic shows of the year. The exhibition’s 100 extraordinary images celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes. Score your spot at the exclusive Time Out Insiders’ sneak-peek event before the show opens to the public. Food, drink and entertainment are all provided, as well as access to the exhibition. In addition to sneak-peek tickets, one super-lucky reader will win an ultimate Sydney staycation. You’ll be treated to one night’s stay in a King Room at the award-winning boutique hotel Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour; lunch for two at Yots Café; an afternoon Sydney Harbour cruise for two with Sydney by Sail; and two complimentary tickets to the Maritime Museum. Enter below by February 28 for your chance to win. Enter here
Bluesfest Byron Bay
If you’re looking for an excuse to take a trip to Byron Bay then look no further. Bluesfest is returning for its 30th anniversary with great music and the family-friendly atmosphere it’s known for. The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 18 and runs until Monday, April 22. In 2019 it’ll play host to over 200 performances across multiple stages and you can look forward to a line-up of artists including Jack Johnson, Hozier, Iggy Pop, SIX60, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, the Saboteurs and Colin Hay, among many, many more. If you feel like staying at the festival, Bluesfest has many accomodation options including camping, glamping or bringing your own motorhome or caravan on-site. If you want to settle straight in to the action book in to the festival's Tent City for an already pitched tent complete with an awning, carpet, light and stretcher beds with the option of hiring bedding, tables and chairs for extra stress-free comfort. Ticket prices start at $195 for single day festival passes with options to expand to five-day festival passes or camping. Book your ticket at the Bluesfest website.
