Sydney
Newtown is the heart of Sydney's inner west, a King Street and Enmore Road strip that runs on small bars, late hours and a crowd that knows its drinks. The neighbourhood swings from a New Orleans saloon to a Twin Peaks tiki room to a martini bar and a brewery taproom, often within a few blocks. This guide covers the rooms worth the trip and the best time to walk in.
KING STREET · $$ · COCKTAIL BAR
Earl's is the unsigned New Orleans saloon on King Street that Broadsheet calls the speakeasy Newtown cannot live without. Best for classic cocktails and natural wine with no booking. Go for the 5pm to 7pm happy hour, Tuesday to Sunday.
ENMORE ROAD · $$ · MARTINI BAR
Bar Planet is the martini-focused room from the Cantina OK and Tio's crew, all classics and good records. Best for a precise martini in a small, music-led space. Arrive early in the evening, the room is tight.
ENMORE ROAD · $$ · TIKI BAR
Jacoby's is the Twin Peaks themed tiki bar pouring tropical cocktails on Enmore Road since 2017. Best for a rum-forward, theatrical night out. Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm are the calmer windows.
AUSTRALIA STREET · $$$ · BAR BISTRO
Continental Deli is the deli-bar known for tinned cocktails and a long aperitivo list on Australia Street. Best for a Tinnie Negroni and a few snacks before dinner. Book ahead on weekends.
KING STREET · $$ · LIVE MUSIC
The Vanguard is the King Street live-music room, a sit-down venue for jazz, blues and a cocktail. Best for a gig night with table service. Check the listings and book for the headline acts.
ERSKINEVILLE · $$ · HIDDEN GEM
Rancho Notorious is the Erskineville Road taqueria-bar a short walk from Newtown, built around margaritas and agave. Best for a casual margarita and tacos. Easy walk-in early, busy on weekend nights.
NEWTOWN · $$ · CRAFT BEER
Young Henrys is the Newtowner brewery taproom on Wilford Street, all stainless tanks and fresh pours. Best for a daytime beer straight from the brewery. Open from late morning, quietest before mid-afternoon.
Use this guide as a route or a checklist. Newtown rewards a walking night, since King Street and Enmore Road run into each other and most of these rooms are minutes apart. Reservations are flagged where they matter; the rest run on walk-ins, so timing is the only real plan.
For a planned route through the area, see the Newtown bar crawl. For the wider city, start with the best bars in Sydney, then narrow by occasion with the best cocktail bars in Sydney, the best craft beer in Sydney, and the best tiki bars in Sydney.
Editorially curated by Marcus Webb. Venue details cross-checked against official sites, Destination NSW and Sydney press in 2026.