Sydney
A rock and roll basement that fills with the office crowd right after 5pm. Low ceilings, loud music, and no pretense. The pizza is decent and the beer selection keeps people coming back.
A heritage-listed ornate bar inside the Hilton. The gilt columns and stained glass windows make you feel like you actually accomplished something today. It's mandatory after closing a big deal, though you'll pay for the history.
A natural wine bar that fills up within 20 minutes of opening. Minimal intervention wines paired with charcuterie and cheese. The crowd is serious about what they're drinking, but not uptight about who's ordering.
A basement bar with retro wallpaper and a solid wine list. The vibe is what you'd expect from a place called Grandma's: quirky, welcoming, no fuss. The cocktails are good but the wine selection is why regulars keep returning.
Independent editorial — 3,600+ bars across 72 cities, rigorously tested.
Looking beyond Sydney? See our guide to the best after-work bars worldwide, or compare after-work bars city by city.