Where to Get Mulled Wine and Cider in Sydney
Liquid mittens, get some.
Where to Get Mulled Wine and Cider in Sydney
Liquid mittens, get some.
Frozen to the bone? Mittens not cutting it? Shitty office heater doing more harm than good? If you're in need of a solid warming, and tea's not quite the escapade you had in mind, something mulled might do the trick this winter.
Folks have been mulling things for an age. Spiced wine has been a 'medicinal' beverage since ancient Egyptian times (apparently spiced wine's first-known roots are circa 3150BC). Ol' mate Pliny the Elder was raving about spiced wine around 23-97AD, and the British allegedly improved their own recipe… wait for it… during the Crusades. Yep. Yeesh.
But weather doesn't age and it's still fucking cold, so we're in need of a medicinal mullin'. Here's the best small bars, cosy pubs and bowling clubs brewing up the good stuff — and cider, you're always welcome here too.
Note: This isn't some kind of countdown, rather a listing of mulling legends. They're all winners. And mulled wine isn't always available at these fine establishments, but when it is... slam dunk.
-
15
One of Sydney’s best and cosiest little bars, Arcadia mulls one heck of a cider. Served in little glass cups with napkin cardigans, they’ll set you back $8 and are worth every dime. Best washed down with one of their crunchy, crunchy toasties.
-
14
A Potts Point restaurant specialising in 17th century Dutch pub fare? Of course they’ve got mulled wine. Keep The Powder Keg’s G&Ts on tap for the summertime, this corridor-like eatery’s mulling up some seriously traditional European-style goodness.
-
13
By the time you read this, there might not be any of this mulled monster left. The crew at the revamped Bondi Bowlo were mixing up some kind of crazy concoction of Sydney Brewery’s Agave Ginger Cider, mixed with a bit of Fireball, Jagermeister and red wine. Holy shit.
-
12
Pull up a pew at Redfern’s cosy ‘Grandma’s house at the circus’ arty small bar, and get into a steamy helping of mulled wine. There’s enough raunchiness in the Tit’s decor to get you adequately warmed up, but their mulled goodness will help.
-
11
No fancy flavours or embellishments here, the ol’ Hollywood is doing things the traditional way. Squeeze into this beloved Surry Hills pub and find yourself a standing spot, if the team have cooked up a mulled wine for the evening you’re in for a no-fuss, delicious treat.
-
10
If you’re after a classic version of mulled wine, The Duck Inn is your go-to. If you hit up this country house-style Chippendale pub on a mulling day, you’ll find a huge pot of warming red wine, oranges, cloves, aniseed, the whole shebang.
-
9
Of course there’s mulling afoot at Redfern’s pretty European-inspired restaurant. Pair a spicy mulled wine with one of the crew’s celebrated jaeger schnitzels and you’ll take a tastebud trip to Germany — cheaper than an airfare.
-
8
Amidst the board games and free bowls of spiced popcorn, Glebe’s trusty small bar is cooking up a mean mulled wine. Find your way to this Glebe Point Road staple for a warming mug (they do a killer Hot Toddy too), seize the Trivial Pursuit cards upstairs and snuggle in.
-
7
Making a little winter wonderland of the former space of Darlinghurst’s Victoria Room,The Chalet is set Sydney’s temporary little winter ski lodge (from the brains behind Lobo Plantation and The Island). Think fondue stations, an in-house snow machine and All The Mulled Wine.
-
6
Scandinavians know a thing or two about mulling, and Manly’s Fika has a homemade recipe you have to try. Amongst all the steaming porridge and hot chocolates these guys serve up all winter, the mulled wine here is actually (and bravely) served in a wine glass and kicks beachside butt.
-
5
In the cosy alcoves of Darlinghurst’s The Commons, these guys are mullin’ up a storm. Perfect for a pre-OAF gig bev or a cruisy weekend warmer, this cosy eatery has a myriad spices on the boil (without actually boiling it, because precious, precious alcohol content).
-
4
Glebe’s loveable patchwork of a corner bar does an excellent mulled apple cider, served with a side of live yazz to boot. Cosy up by the fireplace (an actually working one, none of this ornamental bullshit) with your mulled friend and get into some Hemingway — or the E. L. James you’re actually reading.
-
3
This recently renovated Alexandria pub is much more than a haven for craft beer lovers. Alongside the bar’s expertly-mulled vino, there’s beer cocktails and modern interpretations of American pub food (including rumoured jalapenos stuffed with peanut butter). Plus, pinball machine tournaments.
-
2
Newtown’s quirky little grand chandeliered small bar brews up quite the snuggly mulled wine to go with your Monday night Jenga or while watching Blacksheep’s roster of live music. ‘Tis the perfect accompaniment to their Sunday roasts, for maximum, hearty warming.
-
1
This snug little Darlinghurst stalwart is serving up the mulled wine nightly, warming bellies in its little perch behind Oxford Street. Sure, you could settle for a killer Sazerac, but one of these steaming mugs will set you right on a wintry night.
- A Beginner's Guide to the Greek Islands
- California Dreamin': What Makes Mammoth Mountain an Epic Snow Destination
- Six Reasons to Eat, Stay and Play West Hollywood
- A Luxury Lover's Guide to the Food and Fashion of Beverly Hills
- Twelve Films and TV Shows You Need to Stream This Month
- Hop to It: 16 Classic and Eclectic Films You Can Stream This Easter Long Weekend