Best Bars in Sydney 2026, Top Venues & Rooftop

Sydney Pubs and Bars 2026, Overview

Sydney has one of Australia's most dynamic bar and pub scenes, from heritage sandstone pubs in The Rocks to rooftop bars overlooking the Harbour, world-class whisky bars in the CBD and a thriving craft beer scene centred on Marrickville. Here's a guide to Sydney's best pubs and bars in 2026.

Rooftop Bars

• Blu Bar on 36 (Shangri-La Hotel), 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks. 36 floors above Sydney Harbour. Cocktails with unmatched views of the Bridge and Opera House. shangri-la.com
• The Rooftop at Paramount, 1 Randle Lane, Surry Hills. Heritage Paramount Pictures building, rooftop bar with city views.
• Lobo Plantation, 159 King Street, Newtown. Rooftop rum bar with South American character.

Heritage Pubs in The Rocks

• The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, 19 Kent Street, The Rocks. Sydney's oldest pub (est. 1841) and microbrewery. Six handcrafted ales on tap. lordnelsonbrewery.com
• The Hero of Waterloo, 81 Lower Fort Street, The Rocks. 1843 sandstone heritage pub. Sydney's oldest continuously operating hotel.

Craft Beer

• Marrickville Brewery Precinct, Marrickville has become Sydney's craft beer capital. Young Henrys (Wilford Street), Batch Brewing Company (Sydenham Road), Willie the Boatman (Ricketty Street, Mascot). younghenrys.com
• Sauce Brewing Co, 21 Byrnes Street, Marrickville. Award-winning Marrickville craft brewery.

Surry Hills and Darlinghurst

Sydney's densest concentration of excellent bars. Shady Pines Saloon (hidden behind a door on Crown Street, no-sign dive bar, legendary), Eau de Vie (Darlinghurst Road, cocktail bar, regularly voted among Australia's best), Stitch (York Street CBD).