From smooth martinis to sparkling spritzes, you can enjoy delicious cocktails at many of Sydney’s best bars and eateries. But there’s something extra special about the mood-lit atmospheres and bold creativity on display at bars dedicated to cocktail making (and drinking). From stunning rooftops to slick speakeasies, the best cocktail bars in Sydney await.
A heritage-listed bar at The Rocks is the perfect spot to soak up old-world charm, while Japanese and Korean flavours take centre stage in Surry Hills. In the CBD you can rise high above it all at a mid-century-style lounge or soak up Art Deco vibes in Crowne Plaza. Alternatively, make your way down below the city streets to a relaxed cellar serving up fine wines and fancy cocktails or a basement bar offering seasonal drinks. Head to one of the CBD’s best restaurants, where a central bar serves up classic cocktails with a twist, or swing by The Four Seasons, where you can try unique, barrel-aged cocktails. In Darling Harbour, a rooftop getaway offers skyscraper views and out in Pyrmont you can enjoy live jazz music while you drink.
Wherever you go, the best cocktail bars in Sydney are ready to mix you up an unforgettable evening, so book your next night out on OpenTable today.
Read on for the best cocktail bars in Sydney
For charming cocktails in a historic building – check out Frank Mac’s in The Rocks
Relax on one of the vintage leather benches or slip into a velvet armchair inside this heritage-listed 1840s building. Frank Mac’s brings an old-world Irish charm to modern-day Sydney, with multiple seating areas spread over two storeys and spilling out onto George Street and through to a courtyard out back. Behind the five-metre-long oak bar, expert mixologists craft creative cocktails that are bursting with flavour. Try one of the house cocktails like The Hattrick, which blends three types of rum, or the smoky-sweet ‘Celtic Remedy’, with bourbon and honeycomb. Of course, you can also order your favourite classic cocktails, including four different specialty martinis. Pair your cocktails with grazing boards and juicy prawn cocktails or heartier dishes like beef and Guinness pie and soft paninis.
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For one of the best cocktail bars with a view in Sydney – visit Dean & Nancy on 22 in Sydney CBD
High above Sydney’s streets, Dean & Nancy on 22 is a decadent black and gold lounge bar complete with a grand piano. The huge windows look out at the neighbouring CBD skyscrapers, offering one of the best views in the city. Kick things off with the signature Dean & Nancy caviar martini: your favourite martini served alongside luxurious white sturgeon caviar on crisp tapioca. Afterwards, take an international trip with the rum and apricot flavours of the La Esquina De Cuba or get a sweet, caffeinated hit from the coffee champagne. For a bite to eat, try some smoky charred scampi or mafaldine cacio e pepe. Close things out with a creamy baked ganache as you take in the twinkling lights of the Sydney skyline.
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For Art Deco vibes and signature drinks – visit Two 88 Bar And Kitchen in Sydney CBD
Marble and gold Art Deco decor is the perfect backdrop for an elegant cocktail or two at Two 88 Bar And Kitchen. A short and well curated collection of signature cocktails includes a sweet and sour passionfruit mojito and a smooth wattleseed espresso martini. Other classic cocktails, including mocktails, are also always on offer. Rounding out the drinks’ menu is a selection of Australian wines and beers, where you can sip Margaret River chardonnays or Marrickville pale ales. Plates of silky chicken pâté, salty-sweet prosciutto and spicy salami are always popular food options. Add on a few extras from the range of Australian cheeses and some spicy Basque pepper, and you’ve got a charcuterie board to suit any cocktail.
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For one of the best cocktail bars in Sydney for Live jazz nights – check out Mister Percy in Pyrmont
A wine bar with a collection of artisanal cocktails, Mister Percy invites you to share great drinks with your favourite people. Housed inside a historic wool store, grab a seat by the exposed brick walls and wooden beams, designed to create a rustic, old-world charm. A range of Mediterranean-inspired sharer plates made using local, seasonal produce make it an ideal spot for drinks and light bites. From the bar menu, you can enjoy deli platters of cheese and smoked ham alongside a refreshing gin and cucumber Mandrake of the Lake. Seasonal cocktails, like the wintry brown butter and bourbon By the Fireside, means there’s always something fun to try. Head here on Thursday nights for a true cocktail bar throwback. Every week, live musicians perform funk, soul and jazz, adding a relaxed soundtrack to accompany your highballs and bourbons.
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For one of the best rooftop bars in Sydney – book at Above 319 – Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour in Sydney CBD
Look out over Darling Harbour at Above 319 – Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour, located on top of the Vibe Hotel. With a light lunch menu, plenty of nibbles and a wide selection of cocktails, you’ll truly be on cloud nine when you visit this rooftop retreat. Share smoking punch bowls of the tropical Smokin Sangria, made with orange liqueur, lemonade and malbec, or order a bubbling champagne and strawberry martini. Smooth vanilla flavours and torched rosemary create the bold Rooftop Rockstar, while native plums add a local touch to the Davidson Plum Bellini. Pair your drinks with antipasti plates of soft forest mushrooms with fluffy sourdough, Australian olives or house-made dips. On Sundays, Above 319 offers a bottomless brunch alongside an Italian sharer menu that includes bottomless wood-fired pizzas.
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For barrel-aged cocktails – check out Grain Bar Sydney in Sydney CBD
Inside Sydney’s Four Seasons hotel, Grain Bar Sydney serves up an unforgettable selection of drinks in a classic, dimly-lit cocktail bar. Local craft beers and organic wines are always popular here, but diners keep coming back for the creative cocktails made by the passionate and experienced bar staff. The barrel-aged cocktails are some of the most unique offerings here. Choose from around 22 different classic cocktails that have been made in-house and aged to enhance the sensory experience of each drink. The selection is always changing, so be sure to ask the team what’s on offer. Signature cocktails include the milk-washed Charmeuse, made with green chartreuse and pear syrup. Sip on the fruity 88 Day cocktail, which blends raspberry, peach and pineapple flavours with grenadine and vodka. Non-alcoholic options, like the tangy lemon and eucalyptus In Like Flynn, ensure everyone can enjoy the atmosphere.
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For a sake bar serving Japanese cocktails and baos – visit Tokki in Surry Hills
Inspired by izakayas (Japan’s informal pubs), Tokki serves up fun cocktails alongside a Japanese and Korean-inspired menu. Buzzing with neon-lit Tokyo and Seoul vibes, it’s the perfect spot to gather with friends or to make some new ones. Plum syrup and bitters blend perfectly with vodka and lemon in the Sour Plum, while yuzu and umeshu create the unforgettable Sensei Collins. Get a kick from the Spicy Lychee, made with sriracha and lychee liqueur, or enjoy the caffeinated matcha and crème de cacao Neko-spresso martini. Pair your drinks with sharer plates of fluffy veggie bao or creamy burrata with salty-sweet furikake seasoning. Enjoy smoky flavours from the charcoal grill, like juicy king prawns with miso butter or mildly spicy Korean BBQ chicken. Light desserts such as a refreshing nashi pear sorbet are the perfect way to end the evening.
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For one of the best cocktail bars in Sydney with live music – book at Now & Then in Sydney’s CBD
Now & Then is a basement bar with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere in the heart of the CBD. Leafy wallpaper, potted plants and a green bar create a garden-like atmosphere, even underground. With live music performances and DJs curating classic tracks, Now & Then is always hosting fun, themed nights. Every day of the week brings something new to the music, whether it’s 80s tunes or hip hop, and the food, from flaky sausage rolls to spicy hot wings. The seasonal cocktail menu celebrates fresh flavours with drinks like a sweet caipiroska, made with freshly muddled plum, and the ‘Midsummer In Mexico’, with smoky charred pineapple and volcanic salt. Open until late on Fridays and Saturdays, Now & Then is the perfect spot to kick off some weekend fun.
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For one of the best cocktail bars in Sydney for special occasions – visit Mode Kitchen & Bar in Sydney CBD
With a full restaurant menu and plenty more on offer, Mode Kitchen & Bar isn’t strictly a cocktail bar. However, if you’re after expertly prepared cocktails, you won’t find many places in Sydney that offer a flavour experience like Mode Kitchen & Bar. Pull up one of the plush stools and try one of the classic cocktails, prepared with a signature twist. Mode uses high-quality ingredients and adds minimal, fresh garnishes designed to enhance the flavours of each drink. The bar menu includes Sydney rock oysters served with a tangy white balsamic vinaigrette, and juicy steak sandwiches in a soft ciabatta roll. For a sweet pairing, try a scoop of one of the creamy house-made ice creams or sorbets. Finally, a cheese plate with seasonal condiments goes with just about every cocktail. If you’re not sure what will suit your drink, just ask the bar staff.
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For a romantic date night in a cosy cellar – visit Door Knock in Sydney’s CBD
With a rustic, cellar feel, Door Knock is a relaxing retreat tucked away beneath the bustling CBD streets. With a dynamic wine list focused on Australian vineyards and a creative cocktail selection boasting a range of sweet and smoky flavours, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here. Sip on a spicy Vice Presley, made with jalapeño infused vodka and mango tea syrup, or a sweet and sour Ready to Rumble, with bacardi rum and passionfruit liqueur. The Outback Colada brings a wattleseed and plum twist to an old classic, while the Sunny Leon blends amaretto and citrus flavours. The food menu consists of small bites like creamy stuffed tomatoes and crispy popcorn chicken. The house-cured and cultured board offers a selection of curated cheese and meat that pairs perfectly with wine or a cocktail. Finally, if you’re after something more substantial, order the tender grass-fed sirloin served with chimichurri.
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Sydney has no shortage of relaxed, atmospheric cocktail bars where you can wind down in style. Whether you’re after your favourite classic cocktail or looking for something new to try, the experienced bar staff are ready to create it for you. With complimentary bar menus of charcuterie plates, light bites and heartier options, it’s easy to find the perfect pairing. So, whether you’re looking for a new haunt or somewhere to celebrate, get ready to book your spot at one of the best cocktail bars in Sydney.
