Sydney

The 10 Best Wine Bars in Sydney

The natural-wine wave reshaped Sydney's wine bars — these are the ten worth a Friday evening. The wine bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.

  1. 01

    Archie Rose Bar

    ROSEBERY · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Archie Rose Bar draws a steady local crowd in Rosebery. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  2. 02

    Batch Brewing Co.

    MARRICKVILLE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Batch Brewing Co. draws a steady local crowd in Marrickville. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  3. 03

    Baxter Inn Sydney

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    The Baxter Inn is accessed through an unmarked door on Clarence Street in the CBD, down a fire escape staircase into a brick basement. The bar holds approximate. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  4. 04

    The Baxter Inn Sydney

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    The Baxter Inn has been ranked in the World's 50 Best Bars list for years. The basement bar holds around 800 whiskies — Scottish single malts, Japanese, Austral. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  5. 05

    Besser Bar

    MARRICKVILLE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Besser Bar draws a steady local crowd in Marrickville. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  6. 06

    Blu Bar on 36

    THE ROCKS · $$$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Blu Bar on 36 draws a steady local crowd in The Rocks. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

  7. 07

    Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

    BONDI · $$$$ · ROOFTOP BARS

    Icebergs Dining Room and Bar draws a steady local crowd in Bondi. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for sunset drinks or a slow first date. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.

  8. 08

    Bulletin Place Sydney

    AN ALLEY OFF CIRCULAR QUAY. THE UNUSUAL FORMAT: A COCKTAIL MENU OF AROUND EIGHT DRINKS THAT CHANGES EVERY DAY BASED ON WHAT FRESH PRODUCE ARRIVES AT THE MARKETS THAT MORNING. THE BARTENDERS WRITE THE DAY'S MENU ON A CHALKBOARD.

    Bulletin Place is a small hidden cocktail bar in an alley off Circular Quay. The unusual format: a cocktail menu of around eight drinks that changes every day b. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.

  9. 09

    Cantina OK! Sydney

    THE CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Cantina OK! is a 12-seat alley-side mezcal bar from Maybe Sammy team Stefano Catino, Andrea Gualdi, and team. World's 50 Best Bars regular since 2022 — Asia's B. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

  10. 10

    Mr Wong Cocktail Lounge

    CBD · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS

    Mr Wong Cocktail Lounge draws a steady local crowd in CBD. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

Use this guide either as a single curated route through Sydney or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten wine bars that any serious drinker in Sydney would tell you to put on the list.

Archie Rose Bar draws a steady local crowd in Rosebery. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.

Batch Brewing Co. draws a steady local crowd in Marrickville. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.

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