Whenever you travel to Sydney you’re sure to want to have a good time and enjoy some of the many bars in the city. Here is a list of some of the best ones you can visit.
Earl’s Juke Joint
Earl’s Juke Joint is a Sydney bar that pays tribute to the juke joints of the deep south. Owned by former Shady Pines manager Pasan Wijesena, it features eclectic music and a lively atmosphere. This is a good place for date night or a night out with friends.
While it’s a small bar, the drink selection is quite extensive. You can find everything from craft beer and cocktails to wine. There’s also a deli with a snack menu, and a bistro that serves canned drinks.
The ambiance is what makes this a great spot for a night out. Its old-time-style decor gives the place a rustic feel, and you can expect the bartenders to take their craft seriously. They’re known for making some excellent drinks.
The cocktail menu is equally impressive, featuring drinks inspired by the counties of Sydney. The Hobo Julep, for instance, combines bourbon, mint bitters and sugar syrup. Other signature drinks include the Espresso Diabolique, which combines bourbon, espresso, lime and cane juice.
The wine list is as well-rounded, featuring a wide range of ‘cult’ drops. There are also some fantastic Australian wines, like the Stuart Proud rose from Yarra Valley.
Apollonia Negroni
Apollonia is a new subterranean drinking den in Sydney. This underground bar pays homage to the fictional Sicilian bandit drinking den in The Godfather. Located in the basement of Hinchcliff House in Circular Quay, it features an extensive list of libations and cocktails. It also offers a selection of food, from oysters to burrata.
Aside from cocktails, the Apollonia bar serves other types of drinks, including wine and beer. Guests can also order pocket sandwiches, oysters and burrata. You can also enjoy a traditional milk punch or a crowd-pleasing milk punch with a twist.
Apollonia offers a Negroni Series, where renowned international bartenders from The World’s 50 Best Bars create signature cocktails for Apollonia. These will be featured every six months. They include a traditional negroni, a tequila negroni, and a chocolate banana mezcal negroni.
The bar has a dimly lit, sophisticated feel. It’s also very approachable. Guests can order a Negroni with a twist of cinnamon, chocolate banana mezcal, or even a Pineapple Negroni.
One of the standouts on the cocktail menu is the Letter Never Sent, which is made with wheat vodka, almond syrup, honey liquor, and fresh nutmeg. Another is the Continental Deli, a negroni made with sweet vermouth, gin, and Campari.
Spooning Goats
The Spooning Goats in Sydney has plenty of character, from its retro fit out to its funky menu of food and drink options. And while the name may be a bit of a mouthful, its a fun place to get drunk in the right company. Moreover, its beer and cocktails are the real deals, which is not to say it is a stingy place to go.
Its drinks list is a combination of local microbreweries, and some international brews. On the food front, the kitchen is in a league of its own. The aforementioned drinks are accompanied by a nice array of snacks, from toasted sandwiches to a few of the finest burgers around.
The bar’s booze menu includes the likes of Australian lagers, Australian beers, and a couple of ciders. The cocktail menu isn’t stingy either, with a nice array of gin and tonics, martinis, and old-school classics. Moreover, the aforementioned drinks are not the only tipples available; the lounge area is a great spot to unwind after a long day’s work.
Churchills Sports Bar
One of the most popular sports bars in Sydney, Churchills Sports Bar is a great spot to watch all the major sports. You’ll find a wide variety of screens here, as well as a comfy setting. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious range of food and drinks.
This Sydney bar is home to a large and impressive selection of beers, as well as a number of other drinks and cocktails. They also have a scrumptious menu that features pub grub, including steaks, burgers and ribs.
The bar has a range of great beers, as well as a huge wine list. It’s also home to an organic beer garden. In addition to its excellent food, the bar has a number of games, including a pool table and a pokies machine. If you want a little extra entertainment, you can check out their trivia nights.
Another Sydney favourite, the Woollahra Hotel is an incredible rooftop bar and pub. It has a fantastic beer selection, and is often called the best in the East. It also has pub grub, including an amazing signature house burger.
Love Tilly Devine
Love Tilly Devine is a wine bar located in Sydney’s Surry Hills district. It is a cozy, unpretentious wine bar that offers an endless list of wines. You can also enjoy the food, which features local spirits and ingredients.
Love Tilly Devine is open seven days a week. There is a bar menu that changes daily, but if you’re looking for a special experience, the Progressive Dinner Tours are available. The chef, Ben Abiad, will focus on vegetables and Australian farming practices.
Love Tilly has an impressive wine list, featuring over 300 different varieties from around the world. Whether you want to try a Riesling or a Chenin Blanc, there is a wine to match.
Love Tilly has a relaxed atmosphere and intimate seating for two. They have a large list of natural and organic wines, and a range of wines by the glass. If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, the menu has a strong Japanese influence, as well as some Italian favourites.
Love Tilly has a variety of drinks to choose from, and many of the wines come in below $70. Aside from a nice wine list, they also have a delicious bar menu.
Paski Vineria Popolare
Paski Vineria Popolare is a new wine bar in Sydney. This two-storey restaurant is part bottle shop and part restaurant. The wine bar carries a selection of rare Italian drops. It also features a menu of substantial dishes.
Wine importer Giorgio De Maria opened Paski in partnership with chef Enrico Tomelleri. Together, they plan to connect Sydneysiders with Italian producers. They will host a weekly wine tasting at Paski Sopra. Their wine menu offers a mix of artisanal Italian wines, Australian drops, and boutique vermentino.
In addition to the wine bar, Paski has a full-service bar on the ground floor. A dinner service upstairs will serve up pastas, small plates, seafood, and more. Guests will find a selection of pantry items on the shelves as well.
Paski Vineria Popolare is set to become a community hub, a place for Sydneysiders to catch up over a drink. It will feature a menu of bite-sized dishes, wines by the glass, and events highlighting small-scale winemakers.
The interior of the restaurant is designed to evoke a bottegas in Italy. The walls are adorned with custom-made wine shelves that were created by artist Dion Horstmans. One wall displays artwork that pays homage to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Another mural depicts artisanal Italian winemakers.
Nick and Nora’s
Nick and Nora’s, located in the newly developed 80 Collins Street in Parramatta, is a new cocktail bar from the Speakeasy Group. The new venue is a fusion of art deco and old world glamour, with a modern spin. It promises a unique experience that combines champagne with excess.
Nick and Nora’s features a rooftop bar. The bar’s decor is inspired by the art deco styling of the 1930s. A brass telescope hangs from the ceiling and there’s a glassed-in galley. Guests can enjoy a slew of signature cocktails, sours, and Champagne.
There’s also a private bar, a semi-private cellar and a rooftop terrace, allowing guests to choose a setting that’s right for them. They’ll also be able to take advantage of a dedicated cigar balcony and a 270-degree panoramic view of the city.
Nick and Nora’s is the latest addition to the Speakeasy Group, which already has two other Sydney bars, Mjolner and Eau de Vie. Each venue boasts a different design and experience, and they’ve all been named after traditional home zones.
