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Concrete Playground
December 15, 2021

Despite every expected (and unexpected) challenge that came with 2021, Sydney’s hospitality and arts scene has returned with roaring vengeance. Across the last tumultuous year, we’ve seen a limited-time bar featuring lamb damper rolls and Zooper Dooper cocktails, which will be demolished shortly to make way for the new metro line. There’s a new must-try Catalan-inspired vermouth bar, and the latest sustainably-focused newcomer has already swiped a spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.

When lockdown lifted, restaurant bookings flew — and we flocked to the latest bar openings, from cosy cocktail venues toasting to friends, life, love and negronis; to sky-high drinking dens.

Everyone from institutional favourites to the newest kids on the block threw their doors open to welcome Sydney back. In return, Sydneysiders have never been more fiercely supportive of our businesses, our independent owners and our events. And, the city is better for it.

So, as this oddball year comes to a welcome close, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of the most talented locals pushing Sydney to be a better, braver city.

We are very pleased to announce Concrete Playground’s Best of 2021 AwardsThis year, we will be awarding a People’s Choice and CP Pick award in each of the following five categories:

These outstanding Sydney ventures have been handpicked by Concrete Playground for their combination of originality, innovation, creativity, approachability and sustainability. We straight-up love them.

Cast your People’s Choice votes below by 9am on Monday, December 20 (you can only vote once per category, so make those votes count). People’s Choice and Overall winners in each category will be announced after 9am on Tuesday, December 21. Please note that your vote is recorded as soon as you make your selection in each category, but that you can edit your votes right up until when voting closes.

Remember, you need to have a Concrete Playground account to cast your vote. Sign up here!

If you have any questions or feedback, hit us up at [email protected]

  • LA SALUT - CLOSED

    The Love, Tilly Devine and Ragazzi crew's latest venue is bringing brilliant bar food and Spanish vermouth to Redfern.

  • MAIZ MEXICAN FOOD

    Flavour-packed Mexican dishes, weekly tostada nights and specialty cocktails await you at this Enmore Road spot.

  • CASH ONLY DINER

    From the team behind Burrow Bar, this first-of-its kind Sydney restaurant is serving dishes showcasing the cuisine of regional Vietnamese city, Hue.

  • BISTROT 916

    The Challis Street restaurant is serving up boudin noir spring rolls, fried lamb's brains and snail pasta.

  • MY MOTHER'S COUSIN BEXLEY NORTH

    A New York City-style pizza and wing joint in Sydney's south.

  • CASA MIA OSTERIA

    This inner west spot brings a fresh take on traditional Italian flavours with a passionate duo at the helm.

  • LOLA'S LEVEL 1

    Oysters, martinis and Mediterranean meals star at this 94-seat venue from two Sydney hospitality mainstays.

  • BABA'S PLACE

    A kaleidoscope of south-west Sydney food and culture inside a Marrickville warehouse.

  • SAMMY JUNIOR - CLOSED

    Now open on King Street, it's slinging cuppas and breakfast bites by day, and sandwiches and mini cocktails in the afternoon.

  • CAFE FREDA'S

    The Chippendale nightclub has moved to Darlinghurst and swapped late nights and neon lights for natural wines and pastel hues.

  • PASKI VINERIA POPOLARE

    This two-storey wine bar in the former digs of This Must Be The Place hosts weekly wine tastings and boasts food from a former Ragazzi and 10 William Street chef.

  • MARRICKVILLE SPRINGS

    This sun-soaked rooftop is adorned with a neon bin chicken and serves Philter brews and frozen cocktails.

  • RE - CLOSED

    This South Eveleigh bar is housed in a heritage site that spent 100 years as a locomotive workshop.

  • PISTOU

    This delicatessen-meets-wine bar has Provençal vibes aplenty.

  • APOLLONIA

    This underground cocktail bar is serving up romantic cocktails and plenty of negronis in the basement of Hinchcliff House.

  • BAR SUZE - CLOSED

    Surry Hills' new late-night bar is serving Swedish snacks and house-made apple wine.

  • SHELL HOUSE

    Discover a cocktail bar in a clocktower, a ground-floor bistro and a sky-high drinking hole in this historic former hotel.

  • HINCHCLIFF HOUSE

    This inner-city mega venue hosts four bars and restaurants inside an 1880's sandstone wool store.

  • HARBORD HOTEL

    Located just steps from the beach, this Sydney pub plays into its suburb's claim as the official birthplace of surfing in Australia.

  • SOUTH EVELEIGH

    This new inner-city food and dining precinct boasts venues from Matt Whiley, Maurice Terzini and Kylie Kwong, an expansive food hall and pop-up art from 107 Projects.

  • THEATRE ROYAL

    This 1200-seat CBD venue has been given a multimillion-dollar refurbishment.

  • PHOENIX CENTRAL PARK

    You'll have to be lucky to score tickets to this hidden Chippendale concert venue.

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