Sydney's cocktail scene transformed when small-bar laws relaxed in 2008. Maybe Sammy has won World's Best Bar; Eau de Vie has been on the list since 2013. The 10 below cover the CBD, Surry Hills and Bondi.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best cocktail bars in Sydney
01 · Sydney
The Rocks
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Pastel · Showmanship
Stefano Catino and Andrea Gualdi's Vegas-meets-Sydney room. The drinks are technically excellent.
Order: Sammy Special
02 · Sydney
Circular Quay
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Daily-changing menu
The menu changes every day based on whatever produce arrives. Tim Philips's room is a model of seasonal cocktailing.
Order: Whatever's on today
03 · Sydney
Darlinghurst
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Speakeasy · Reservations
Through the Kirketon Hotel. Sven Almenning's room.
Order: Bartender's choice with rye
04 · Sydney
CBD
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Down an alley · 800+ whiskies
At the back of an alley off York Street. Australia's most encyclopaedic whisky list.
Order: A Japanese whisky neat
05 · Sydney
CBD
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Tiki-leaning · Cuban
Cuban-inspired tropical cocktail bar. Rum-deep program, late hours.
Order: A Mai Tai or a Cuba Libre with their reserve aged rum
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06 · Sydney
CBD
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Speakeasy · Through a stairwell
At the top of an unmarked stairwell. Multi-room layout, classics-led menu.
Order: Bartender's choice
07 · Sydney
CBD
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Tiny · Mezcal-led
Sister bar to Tio's. Tiny, mezcal-led. The Mexican-spirit specialist of Sydney.
Order: A flight of mezcals + a Margarita al Pastor
08 · Sydney
CBD
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Cocktail bar · Modern
Modern CBD cocktail bar with a sister soda factory. House-made syrups and tonics built into a serious modern menu.
Order: A drink built around their house-made tonic
09 · Sydney
CBD
$$$$
Hotel bar · 25th floor
On the 25th floor of the A by Adina hotel. Polished hotel-bar cocktail program, panoramic city view.
Order: A Manhattan with the harbour view
10 · Sydney
Surry Hills
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Brewery + cocktails
Surry Hills brewery with a serious cocktail program attached. Sister to The Grifter Brewing Co.
Order: A craft beer + a stirred cocktail
More Sydney cocktail barsThe full Sydney cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
How Sydney cocktailing competes globally
Sydney's small-bar revolution produced a generation of bartenders who now compete globally. Maybe Sammy and Eau de Vie are the technical bookends. Most peak between 9 and 11 PM.
