Best of Sydney
Best Cocktail Bars in Sydney: Rooftop & Hidden Bars
Sydney has a deep cocktail-bar culture concentrated in the CBD and The Rocks, with a mix of hidden basement bars, hotel lounges and rooftop venues. A 2008 change to NSW liquor laws made small bars easier to open, and laneway and small-format bars have since spread across the city and inner suburbs such as Surry Hills and Newtown. This guide collects a selection of well-established Sydney cocktail bars, including The Baxter Inn, Maybe Sammy, The Lobo, The Gidley, Cantina OK!, Employees Only and Old Mate's Place, each with a link to its own website or an authoritative listing so you can check hours and book directly.
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- 1
The Baxter Inn
A hidden basement whisky and cocktail bar off Clarence Street in the CBD, run by the Swillhouse hospitality group, with a large back-bar whisky range and a classic cocktail list.
- 2
Maybe Sammy
A 1950s-inspired cocktail bar in The Rocks serving classic and signature cocktails with theatrical, hospitality-driven table service.
- 3
The Lobo
A Havana-inspired basement bar on Clarence Street specialising in rum and rum-based tropical cocktails.
- 4
The Gidley
A basement steakhouse and cocktail lounge on King Street from the Liquid & Larder group, known for its classic cocktails and martinis.
- 5
Cantina OK!
A small agave-focused bar in a laneway off Clarence Street from the MUCHO hospitality group, serving margaritas and mezcal- and tequila-based cocktails.
- 6
Employees Only Sydney
A basement cocktail bar and steakhouse on Barrack Street, the Sydney outpost of the New York speakeasy, serving craft cocktails and American bistro fare.
- 7
Old Mate's Place
A multi-level bar on Clarence Street with an indoor cocktail lounge and a plant-filled rooftop terrace, serving a seasonal cocktail list.
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