The most fun bar in Darlinghurst operates behind a neon-lit facade on Victoria Street with no explanation of what lies inside. Hinky Dinks serves serious tropical cocktails in a room decked with vintage Polynesian decor and occupies the precise sweet spot between kitsch and cool. The Zombie is as dangerous as advertised. The crowd is genuinely mixed and genuinely happy, which is rarer than it should be.
The room is Tiki BarDarlinghurst's answer to Sydney's broader hidden gem scene. The bartenders take their craft seriously without making a show of it, and the menu rewards repeat visits rather than first-timers chasing the obvious order. The Tiki programme is the right place to start.
Best time to visit is mid-week between 6pm and 9pm when the bar settles into its rhythm. Weekends fill up and the room takes on a different energy. Reservations are recommended for groups, and on Friday and Saturday for couples.
Hinky Dinks sits in Tiki BarDarlinghurst, one of Sydney's most distinctive drinking neighbourhoods. The crowd skews toward thirty-something locals on weekdays and a slightly younger international mix on weekends. The lighting is low. Conversation works at the bar; the booths handle small groups.
Dress code is smart-casual. The bar is most rewarding for an unhurried 90-minute visit between 7pm and 9pm — early enough to talk to the bartender, late enough that the room has filled in. Tags worth knowing about: Tiki, Tropical Cocktails, Fun.
Hinky Dinks accepts walk-ins mid-week before 8pm. After that, expect a wait — reserve in advance through their Instagram or by phone. The bar takes cards. Tipping follows local convention in Sydney. Most regulars order two drinks at the bar, then move to a table when one opens up.
What to order
- 01
The Tiki programme
- 02
Editor's Pick
- 03
Off-Menu Request