Sydney bar guide: 11 of the best hidden venues in the city
It’s the festive time of year where many of us feel as though our livers may explode but the cheer takes hold time and time again and we find ourselves at yet another delightful Sydney bar ringing in the Christmas cheer.
It leads us to ponder where all these Christmas shenanigans are taking place.
A long time ago in a city called Sydney, being seen was the ‘it’ thing.
Whether at the latest club opening or where that celebrity was spotted that time, even where the largest line was.
Well not any more ... the Sydney scene is evolving and becoming a rival with our cultural counterpart Melbourne for a place that boasts some of the best hidden bars in the country.
Users of Food and Drink app, Zomato are searching for hidden bars more than ever as a cooler and chicer alternative to the once thriving club scene. So we’ve pulled together the most popular and most highly reviewed secret bars in Sydney.
1. Stitch Bar, CBD
Stitch Bar can be described as a moody/vintage style bar serving cocktails and American diner food including tacos and burgers.
Stitch Bar has eve featured in the Lonely Planet for Sydney.
It’s the perfect one-stop bar in the city where you can drink to your hearts’ content then grab that greasy burger before you head home (insert wink emoji here).
Stitch Bar has it all if you just feel like hitting the one bar for the evening.
2. Bulletin Place, Circular Quay
Bulletin Bar is down by the harbour and serves seasonal cocktails in a cosy environment with an atmosphere that can only be described as distressed decor with bare light bulbs and incredible wall art.
Mixologist Tim Philips making an espresso martini in Bulletin Place.
3. Since I left you, CBD
This small laneway bar is nestled in a truly historic part of Sydney and boasts some incredible whiskey, wine and of course signature cocktails.
Since I Left You is small bar in an absolutely amazing location.
4. Spring St Social, Bondi Junction
With a mixture of live music and burgers till 3am this place is definitely worth a late-night visit.
Not only is there a great selection of drinks but also burgers til late and live music.
5. The Wild Rover, Surry Hills
There’s plenty of Irish folk living in Sydney and plenty of Aussies who love everything about Ireland.
If you fall into one of those two categories, this is the place for you.
Make sure you sample one of the homemade sausage rolls, they are deee-lightful!
For that Irish vibe and a taste of the ol’ country you can’t go past The Wild Rover.
6. Tokyo Bird, Surry Hills
It’s always nice to venture out of the city to one of it’s neighbouring suburbs like Surry Hills.
There you’ll find a long list of epic pubs and bars and Tokyo Bird is right up there.
Best described as a compact, industrial-chic space serving Japanese whiskey and sake, plus cocktails and yakitori bites. #YUM
7. Kagura, Surry Hills
Kagura is the perfect place to get a little taste of the orient.
8. Absinthe Salon, Surry Hills
I love Paris in the spring time, in the summer (and you know how the rest of the song goes) ... If this is your mantra then you’ll adore Absinthe, a Parisian inspired bar, with exposed brick walls and antique lamps transporting you back to an era where French and Swisse absinthe was enjoyed, as it is in their cellar style bar today.
Absinthe Salon is a one of kind in Sydney.
9. Lobo Plantation, CBD
Take me to the Caribbean! You can Copacabana your way all through this delightful Caribbean themed rum bar, with cane light fittings, plants and greenery throughout; it boasts over 250 types of rum and the food is shipped in from ‘The Food Society’ in Darlinghurst so you know it’s a real treat.
Georgia Burns and Rhys Ryan have escaped to the Caribbean at The Lobo Plantation. Picture: Chris Pavlich
10. The Baxter Inn, CBD
This Underground ‘speak-easy’ whiskey bar has an extensive whiskey selection and range of delicious cocktails and craft beers to choose from. Free pretzels are also dished out to thirsty customers. #Yippee
The Baxter Inn at Clarence Street in Sydney is a ‘speak-easy’ style bar with an amazing array of whiskey to choose from. Picture: John Fotiadis
11. Hinky Dinks, Darlinghurst
The name is purely fun on it’s own, so you know this place will be hopping! With a huge menu of house cocktails that compliment the bar’s tiki theme, retro-themed interior design, it’s characterised by a checkered floor and vintage red bar stools.
Get up to some hijinx at Hinky Dinks in Darlinghurst, Sydney.
Source: The Daily Telegraph, Olivia Noakes, 11th December 2015
