The 17 best bars in Bondi

Few pleasures come close to sipping a Spritz the colour of a Balinese sunset at this oh-so-Sydney institution, while you stare out at the deep blue hues of the Pacific down below. You pay for the privilege, but why the heck wouldn't you? And a drink, after all, is cheaper than a meal in the restaurant. Go on, treat yourself.

Keep moving if you're on the hunt for vodka sodas. Up here, at this Japanese-ish bar on the first floor of the Pacific complex, owner Kate McGraw and her team are stirring and shaking some of Sydney's most interesting and complex cocktails – with ingredients like shiso, miso, pandan, finger lime and Geraldton wax to name just a few. Order some skewers from the charcoal grill for extra effect.

Close quarters are helpful when you’re on a date, and wine bars don’t get much cosier than Ode. All that low, flattering light is like a real-world Instagram filter; the little round tables are so small you can interlock knees; and given they quite literally have wine on tap, a night here is a reliable recipe for romance. 

They're showcasing Aussie spirits and native ingredients in the (so) fresh and (so) clean cocktails being built, shaken and stirred at this snug O'Brien Street charmer.

Pull up a pew at this no-frills boozer, and you'll feel like a local in absolutely no time. They take the cocktails seriously and the jaffles are tops. The name says it all, really.

There aren't all that many places you can score a proper Bloody Caesar in the Harbour City, or proper poutine for that matter. You can snag both at the Beaver, and we'll happily drink to that.

Sinking a couple of Tommy's Margaritas is never a bad idea, especially within the cavernous confines of this well-loved salty dog.

A seat at this tiny corner tapas joint will take you right back to the days of that treasured Spanish holiday, when the sangria flowed freely and the parade of olives, croquettes, cheese and cured meat never seemed to end.

Booze is not permitted on Bondi Beach, which is a bit of a bummer, but thankfully there's always the Bucket List – right there on its fringe, ready and waiting to pour you a Pimm's jug.

After the Bondi Bowling Club received the fairy godmother treatment from the team behind Panama House and Corner House, suddenly we had big picnic tables shaded by umbrellas, a breezy terrace and a low-lit 1930s clubhouse to hang out in on weekends. 

This beachfront pleasure palace has been ground zero for many a rollicking Sunday session for three decades. And after a luxe facelift in 2016, she's looking better than ever and ready to roll for at least three decades more.

Panama House's second (much splashier) incarnation still trades in things we can't seem to get enough of when the mercury rises: tacos, tins of Tecate, tart Palomas and bottomless brunches.

The army of regulars at this café and wine bar is fiercely loyal, perhaps because they know that snagging a spot in the wardrobe-sized place at peak hour feels like winning the lotto.

This chic restaurant-cum-bar has commanded the corner of Denham Street and Bondi Road for years, and remains a laid-back locale for wine-driven adventures.

Only in Bondi would a so-called 'public bar' rock a raw, industrial Rick Owens aesthetic and pour orange wine by the glass. We're here for it.

Hardware was one of the first spots in Bondi to tackle the 'creative share plates and solid cocktails in industrial surrounds' brief, and it has stood the test of the time on Hall Street for getting it right.

A big night at the Beachy is pretty much a Sydney rite of passage, so if you haven't gotten amongst it yet, it's probably time to tick that box. And if you have, you know it's just as rewarding for a quiet beer and a game of pool.