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Two Negronis at Bistecca
Photograph: Supplied

The best happy hours in Sydney

Our ultimate guide to the city's finest booze and snack deals

Avril Treasure
Written by
Avril Treasure
Written by
Time Out editors
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We know the rising cost of living is on everyone's minds at the moment – it's on ours, too. But, as a champion for good times, good food and good drinks here in Sydneytown, we also don't want to stay indoors each evening. So, Time Out Sydney's critics, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have done the hard yards and rounded up the very best happy hour deals here in Sydney, where you can snag a schooner for $6, snacks for $5 and cocktails for $10. It's fun you can feel good about. 

We say have a squiz, head out, and we hope you have a happy time at these happy hours. We sure have. 

After more fun for less? Here's our guide to the best free things to do in Sydney, the best op shops, and (of course) Sydney's best cheap eats.

Thirsty for more? Here are the best bars in Sydney right now.

The best happy hours in Sydney

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Bars
  • Wine bars
  • Surry Hills

Surry Hills Basque-inspired wine bar and restaurant Gildas has a happy hour that we can get around. On Wednesdays and Thurdays from 5.30-6.30pm, enjoy $12 house cocktails and glasses of wine, and $12 off-menu special dishes. Oh, and $5 Gildas. We'll have ten, please. 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Bars
  • Darlinghurst
  • price 2 of 4

Love, Tilly Devine has been quenching Sydneysiders' thirst by natural wines since it opened down a Darlinghurst laneway in 2010. But the team (also Ragazzi and Palazzo Salato) are not resting on their laurels and good rep: the wine bar has recently undergone a freshen up and welcomed a new menu. To celebrate, Love, Tilly Devine now has a happy hour running six days a week from 5-6pm. Come for $10 Mini Martinis and Negronis, $10 mystery wine, $8 sardine sangas and $11 half hot dogs.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Sydney

Found on the ground level of Shellhouse, Menzies Bar is very schmick. And now, thanks to a great happy hour, you can get a taste of the high life without the big bill. Think Mini Martinis and lobster rolls, both for 10 bucks, Tuesday-Saturday, from 4-6pm.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Sydney

Yes, even fancy red-hued French restaurant Hubert has a happy hour. And it's very good. Head in early and sidle up at the bar from 5-6pm and you can order a glass of red, white or G&T for just $6, or a $12 Negroni. Plus, there's a killer bar snack menu, which includes $8 duck parfait, $10 cured sausages, $6 fried zucchini flowers and a $18 Normandy burger with dry-aged beef, gruyère cheese, dill pickle, and a special Hubert sauce. Yum.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Dawes Point

Make the most of the glorious balmy weather at Pier Bar, which is located smack-bang on the water along the historic Pier One in Walsh Bay. Pier Bar's happy hour includes $12 Negronis, Margaritas and Old Fashioned, plus $8 beers and $2 oysters.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Steak house
  • Sydney

Alfie's is the hot new thing from the Liquid and Larder team – they're the ones behind some of Sydney’s and the world’s best steakhouses  Bistecca and the Gidley  as well as sepia-hued bar and restaurant, the Rover. And they've got a new happy hour. Come for $16 Alfie’s Martini, $6 Gin & Tonics, $14 Bloody Shiraz Spritzes, and loads more, from 4-6pm, Monday to Saturday.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bars
  • Restaurants
  • Neutral Bay

Happy Hour at SoCal runs from 5-6.30pm, Monday to Friday and it's absolutly banging. Come for $12 frozen cocktail slushy specials, as well as $5 house beer, wine and prosecco. Plus, head there for Taco Tuesday and snag $3 tacos and $15 Margies. And then come again next week. 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • The Rocks

Craft spirits distillery Hickson House Distilling Co has launched a hot booze offer right in time for the chilly weather. 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.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Enmore
  • price 2 of 4

Head on over to Queens Hotel where you can snap up cheap drinks weekday from 5-7pm. We're talking $6 tap schooners, house wine and spirits. And if you needed any reason to stay out on the weekend, Queens also has a late night happy hour peddling $6 schooners, house wine and spirits from 10pm to midnight, on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Bars
  • Cocktail bars
  • Paddington

All cocktails at El Primo Sanchez cost $17 during their happy hour offer, which runs Monday to Thursday from 5-6pm, and Friday and Saturday 4.30-5.30pm. And forget about taco Tuesdays – if go visit on a Wednesday you can enjoy $5 tacos. Now that's what we're taco-ing about.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Sydney

You may have heard of the Charles Grand Brasserie, but did you know that right next door you'll find a European-inspired all-day dining café and bar aptly called the Charles? You'll want to know about it, because the Charles slings a pretty great happy hour. From Monday to Friday, 3-6pm, get a $10 mini prawn cocktail, $12 Southsides and Sidecars, and a $15 glass of Moet and Chandon Champagne. Plus, get the Charles club sanga with crisps and a beer for $25, Monday to Friday, noon-3pm.

 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • Sydney

Nab $10 and $15 cocktails, as well as an impressive steak sandwich – made with the sirloin from the Bistecca alla Fiorentina – on Mondays to Saturdays, 6-8pm, at Bistecca. Is this Sydney’s best steak sandwich? Executive chef Pip Pratt reckons it could be. Go in and taste for yourself. Plus, score 30 per cent off select bottles of sangiovese.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Modern Australian
  • Surry Hills

This gem has teamed up with Rhubi Mistelle  – a Victorian-crafted rhubarb aperitif – on one of the happiest hours in town. Every weeknight from 5 to 6pm, and 4 to 6pm on weekends, enjoy $6 Rhubi and Sodas, $10 Jane Martinis, $6 wine and beer, plus $2 Sydney rock oysters, and $6 light bites such as duck croquettes, ebi prawn brioche toast, and Jane's take on the Gilda.

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Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Advertising

You can lap up the finer things in life thanks to Bouillon l’Entrecote's happy hour. Located a few hundred metres away from Circular Quay, Bouillon l’Entrecote is serving guests a French happy hour from 4-6pm, Monday to Saturday. Come for an $8 G&T, $9 wines and beers, and $12 French Martinis and Negronis. And we know you'll want some snacks too. Enjoy $5 baguettes, $15 cheese plates, $8 salami, $15 jamon and more. We're hungry just thinking about it 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Newport
  • price 2 of 4

Bask in the sunshine at the Newport, take in the stunning views over Pittwater and take advantage of their midweek happy hours. From Monday to Friday, 4-6pm, get a range of $6 tap schooners, house wine and spirits.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Modern Australian
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt’s CBD bistro and wine bar has a happy hour that is sure to entice you out during the week. From Wednesday to Friday, 4-5pm, enjoy $7 beers, $8 MCG Gin and tonics, and for a treat, NV Pertois Moriset 'Les Quatre Terriors' Champagne that you can snag for a steal at $88 per bottle. 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Sydney

Coined the 'RP Hour', the establishment has just introduced a happy hour with a distinctly classy, Rockpool twist. It's on from 4 to 6pm, every Monday to Friday, in the Rockpool Bar. For $15, you can get your mitts on a chorizo hot dog with chimichurri and crispy onions and a fish po boy with salted chilli mayonnaise. Plus, for $12, you can order a Martini, an Old Fashioned, a Margarita or an RP Spritz. For $15, you can choose a glass from the ‘Sommelier’s Selection’ of sparkling, red and white wines. More of a beer person? Select beery bevs will set you back a whole $7. 

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Alice Ellis
Sydney Editor
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Surry Hills

Redfern’s Catalan-inspired wine bar La Salut has a pretty ace happy hour that we reckon you should hit up. Come for $5 tapas, $6 vermouth and $12 cocktails from 5-6pm Wednesdays to Fridays, and 3-5pm on the weekends.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Restaurants
  • Modern Australian
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

Bop on over to Bopp and Tone for happy hour, which runs from 4-6pm, Monday to Friday. Offers include $8 tap wine, $8 prosecco, and $8 bottled beers. Cheers. 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Bars
  • Surry Hills
  • price 2 of 4

Like the sound of $2 freshly shucked oysters from NSW’s estuaries paired with $10 Mini Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin and Mother of Pearl Vodka Martinis? Us too. Come along to this Surry Hills gem and get both on Tuesdays to Saturdays, 5-6pm.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Paddington
  • price 2 of 4

You should come to the Paddington for its five-star rotisserie chicken. But we reckon you should also come for its happy hour, which includes $7 schooners, house wine, spirits, chicken bites and some cocktails, every Tuesay-Friday from 5-7pm. What's more, the Paddington also slings $15 cockails every Saturday night, 10pm to midnight. That's festive.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Australian
  • North Sydney

Vibrant North Sydney restaurant and bar Rafi has a happy hour each Thursday, from 4-6pm. Head over for $15 cocktails and slashed beers, as well as to get down to DJs hitting the deck from 5pm. Want to be a part of a wine club but don't have endless cash? Good news: Rafi runs the Drop, giving you access to quality wines at a reduced price, with new vinos selected each week.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Bars
  • Surry Hills
  • price 1 of 4

This technicolour karaoke and sake joint is well known for boozy and blurry nights but did you also know it has one of the coolest happy hours in the city? Among the regular deals, you can get $1 dumplings and $7 spirits, wines, and house beers every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5-7pm.

 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Bars
  • Sydney
  • price 1 of 4

No trip to the CBD would be complete without a bevvie on a rooftop bar, and the Rook is taking the squeeze out of your knockoff. They're offering $8 beers and wines and $10 Aperol Spritzs and Elderflower Spritzs from 4-6pm, Monday to Friday.

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  • Bars
  • Darling Harbour

Henley’s has an ace happy hour, which run from 4-6pm, Monday to Friday. Want an after work drink? Come for $8 wine, $10 pints, and $12 Spritzes. They also have weekly food specials, including $22 express lunches every week day and $20 parma night on Mondays from 5pm. 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Steak house
  • Sydney
  • price 2 of 4

The Gidley’s American-style burger with two beef patties, melted cheddar, and house pickles is one of Sydney’s best. And now thanks to the Gildley’s Golden Hours, you can get your hands on the burger for $20 with any bottle of Champagne on the menu at a 30 per cent discount. The offer is available on Monday to Saturday, 8-10.30pm. Burgers and bubbles? Yum.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Peruvian
  • Surry Hills

Warike promises the best of Peruvian cuisine, transporting diners with big flavours, melodic Latin beats and the best Pisco Sours in Sydney. Get around Warike for happy hour – think $20 ceviches and beers and wines for $5, Tuesday to Friday, 5-6pm.

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  • Bars
  • Surry Hills

Everyone should be friends with a Harry. And in particular, the the one in Surry Hills. The watering hole peddles a daily happy hour starting from 4-6pm, where you can get $6 beers, $8 wine and spirits, $10 cocktails and $5 snacks. And if you manage to get to the bar at 4pm on the dot on Fridays, Harry's will shout you your first beer. Just like a great mate would.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising

Undergound live music and cocktail bar Tiva has a happy hour that's sure to make you happy. Found underneath the Charles Grand Brasserie and Bar, Tiva offers $12 Tommy's Margaritas, $15 glass of NV Moët and Chandon Champagne, or $99 per 750ml bottle, and $10 for Tiva’s Wagyu cheeseburger with fermented chillli. Twilight (happy) hour runs from 5-7pm, Wed-Fri, with live music usually kicking off from 6pm.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
Shakespeare Hotel
  • Bars
  • Surry Hills

This reliable, cut-price boozer in Surry Hills is known for its generous and affordable pub food but they've also got deals on house beers, wines and spirits, and as well as slinging craft beers every day from 4-6pm.

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  • Bars
  • Pubs
  • Collaroy
  • price 1 of 4

Collaroy is just far away enough from the city that it feel like a getaway. The air is salty, the sand is orange, and you may spot a migrating whale. We say come and spend a day at this beachside suburb, and then take advantage of the Collaroy's killer happy hour. Think $6 tap schooners, house wine and spirits, every day, from 5–7pm. Plus, $15 cocktails every Friday and Saturday evening fom 9-11pm. Staycation anyone?

There’s a lot to love at Barangaroo’s Love Fish. Firstly, the casual seafood restaurant is located harbourside, right by the water. Plus, Love Fish has a happy hour, offering either a hot or cold seafood platter for two, paired with a bottle of riesling or rosé from Atlas, Clare Valley. It's all available Tuesday-Friday, 5-6.30pm. The best bit? All this bougie-ness will set you back $100. No more, no less.  

 

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
Advertising
  • Restaurants
  • Bars
  • Sydney

The QVB's very own Champagne bar, Reign, is peddling one very bubbly happy hour. From Wednesday to Saturday 5-7pm, drop in for a $20 glass of G.H Mumm Champagne, a $12 glass of Mumm Marlborough sparkling, 
$12 Sofi Spritz
 and a $8 Young Henrys Newtowner. Clink clink. 

  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Lavender Bay

Off the booze? Head to French bistro LouLou for a non-alcoholic happy hour. Choose between the Jardin and Grove with Seedlip Grove, fresh apple, cucumber, citrus, soda and basil; or the Pear Tarte Tatin made with Seedlip Spice, poached pear, spice syrup, and citrus. Both sound delicious, and sans hangover. Get these for $12 from 3-6pm, Monday to Friday.

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Avril Treasure
Food & Drink Editor, Time Out Sydney
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