Sydney's Best Bars for Dancing and Late-Night Drinks
Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie.
With Sydney restrictions rolling back to allow nightclubs to reopen for dancing, and the lockout laws finally removed after more than seven years, now's the time to head out for a big one in Sydney — and head to a packed dance floor or your late-night local that's till pouring beers after 1am.
Thanks to Sydney's enduring and diverse mix of late-night haunts, you can do just that while surrounded by pinball machines in a grungy pizza joint, listening to live music in a multi-level pub or sipping cocktails from some of the world's best bartenders in an underground bar.
Round up the crew, stock up on Berocca and get ready to party.
Image: Coogee Rooftop
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RestaurantCafe Freda's
191-195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
The Chippendale nightclub has moved to Darlinghurst and swapped late nights and neon lights for natural wines and pastel hues.
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BarTokyo Sing Song
145 King Street, Newtown
The vibe at the late-night bar is part Mai Tai jelly square, part Asahi schooner.
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BarWaywards at The Bank
324 King Street, Newtown
The Bank has reopened the upstairs room as a live venue with bar snacks and a slightly FBi Social vibe for the Inner West.
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BarFactory Theatre
105 Victoria Road, Marrickville
Live music and comedy are at the core of the Factory's operation.
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BarThe Duke of Enmore
148 Enmore Road, Enmore
This Enmore Road mainstay has woodfire eats, natty wines, heavy metal and picklebacks aplenty.
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BarBeach Road Hotel
71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach
Home to bands, one of Sydney's beer gardens and your favourite booze in Bondi.
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BarBondi Beach Public Bar - CLOSED
180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Bondi's iconic corner restaurant has relaunched with a new chef and a (rather affordable) seafood-heavy menu.
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BarCoogee Pavilion Rooftop
169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Life's a beach at the imaginative Coogee Pavilion's beachfront rooftop bar.
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PubPublic House Petersham
292 Stanmore Road, Petersham
Come for the for the beer garden, stay for the pub grub, natty wine, DJ sets and trivia.
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BarThe Chippo Hotel
87-91 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale
The Chippo boasts A+ live music vibes and a New Orleans-inspired menu.
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BarThe Lord Gladstone
115 Regent Street, Chippendale
The Lord Gladstone has amped up the entertainment with more live gigs, parties and art exhibitions.
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BarThe Royal Bondi
283 Bondi Road, Bondi
The first stage of Merivale's revamped version of this long-running Bondi pub is now open.
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BarThe Bearded Tit
183 Regent Street, Redfern
Turn left at the crocheted penises and enter Redfern's brazen art bar.
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BarRedfern Surf Club
60 Botany Road, Alexandria
An Australiana-themed bar with cocktails in cans and a taxidermy ibis.
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BarLazybones Lounge
Level 2, 294 Marrickville Road, Marrickville
This cosy jazz bar keeps the inner west party going late into the night.
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BarThe Vanguard Newtown
42 King Street, Newtown
Newtown's much-loved live music venue has returned.
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BarSince I Left You
338 Kent Street, Sydney
This art-filled courtyard bar, with a relaxed spirit and a drinks menu to match, is the perfect antidote to a stressful day in the office.
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BarHollywood Hotel
2 Foster Street, Surry Hills
When this place gets busy, it gets busy - and with good reason.
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BarThe Wine Library
18 Oxford Street, Woollahra
The sassiest library this side of the Eastern Distributor. If you like wine, you'll love it here.
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BarOxford Art Factory
38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Inspired by Warhol’s Factory in New York, this music venue caters to top international and local talent.
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BarUpstairs Beresford
354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Stepping into the Upstairs Beresford is like stumbling upon a secret disco inferno you weren’t quite ready for.
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BarChing-a-Lings
133 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Ching-a-Lings is the kind of chilled, unpretentious small bar where you can grab a couch with some good company and while away some very memorable hours.
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BarThe Baxter Inn
152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney
A cavernous whisky bar where the bartenders know their stuff and good times are at the top of the agenda.
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BarEl Loco at Slip Inn
111 Sussex Street, Sydney
An easy stroll from your CBD office, this Mexican-themed beer garden is the ideal mid-week pit stop.
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BarStitch Bar
61 York Street, Sydney
Don't be fooled — beyond the tailor's shop frontage is one of Sydney's coolest subterranean bars, serving classic cocktails and delicious dive dogs.
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BarThe Pickled Possum
254 Military Road, Neutral Bay
Widely renowned as one of the more bizarre establishments in Sydney, the person with the microphone is king at the Pickled Possum.
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BarPalmer & Co.
Abercrombie Lane, Sydney
A hidden, but well-known, cocktail bar reminiscent of Sydney's notorious past of speakeasies, sly grog and razor gangs.
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BarEl Topo - CLOSED
500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
With atmosphere aplenty, character-filled food and an authentic tequila fort, El Topo comes highly recommended.
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BarFrankie's - CLOSED
50 Hunter Street, Sydney
Part dive bar, part New York-style pizza parlour, part blast from the past in the form of 80s metal.
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BarThe Bourbon - CLOSED
22 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
The Bourbon is all about New Orleans Creole.
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BarThe Soda Factory
16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills
Venture beyond the Bobby's storefront for boozy spiders, $1 hot dogs and 50s tunes.
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BarThe Cliff Dive
16-18 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
The Tio's boys have done it again. And this time, things are tropical.
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BarRamblin' Rascal Tavern
Basement, 60 Park Street, Sydney
Whether you're thirsty for a crafted cocktail or a freshly pulled frothy, this basement bar with old-school pub vibes is ready to whet your whistle.
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BarThe Light Brigade
2A Oxford St, Woollahra
Woodfired pizzas and cocktails, plus a rooftop that's 83 metres above sea level.
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BarKeg and Brew
26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
An old school pub filling your schooner with something a little bit different.
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BarThe Oxford Tavern - CLOSED
1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham
This Petersham pub has reopened with a leafy beer garden and focus on craft beer.
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BarHotel Harry
40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills
The century-old Macquarie Hotel building gets a Cuban revolution, complete with traditional barbacoa.
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BarTaylor's Rooftop
13 Tank Stream Way, Sydney
A CBD rooftop bar with a vertical garden, tacos and live tunes.
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BarThe Collaroy
1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy
The northern beaches boozer was acquired by Merivale and reopened all shiny and new.
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BarBotany View Hotel
597 King Street, Newtown
An iconic south King Street pub that's home to one of Sydney's best beer gardens.
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BarThe Lansdowne Hotel
2-6 City Road, Chippendale
The resurrected Chippendale pub has an entire floor dedicated to gigs, plus a huge sun-drenched rooftop.
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BarGeorge Hotel Waterloo
760 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo
This neighbourhood pub has reopened as a taqueria and natural wine bar.
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BarThe Orient Hotel
89 George Street, The Rocks
Yet another longstanding pub in The Rocks that's had a makeover in recent years.
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BarKings Cross Hotel
248 William Street, Potts Point
This pub hosts indie bands, jam sessions and DJs, plus there’s a sunny rooftop to boot.
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BarK1 Karaoke Lounge
Level 2, 31-37 Dixon Street, Haymarket
A LED-lit karaoke haven above Chinatown.
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PubThe Duke of Clarence
152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney
Take a time hop at this 1800s-inspired English tavern with over 500 spirits, cask ales and a gastropub menu heroing classic British cuisine.
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PubPark House
2 Park Street, Mona Vale
The northern beaches pub with a restaurant, cocktail lounge and courtyard.
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BarMercantile Hotel
25 George Street, The Rocks
A little slice of Ireland in the Rocks, serving unbridled warmth and hospitality.
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BarStonewall Hotel
175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Party till the wee hours in this legendary three-storey bar.
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BarThe Imperial Erskineville
35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
It's all about drag and drinks, darling.
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BarThe Vic On The Park
2 Addison Road, Marrickville
This old Marrickville gem has been given the full Merivale treatment and it's totally working it.
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BarOld Mate's Place
Level 4, 199 Clarence Street, Sydney
Creative cocktails, Philly cheesesteaks and old-school library vibes tucked away in a Clarence Street office building.
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BarUniversal Sydney
85-91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst's legendary gay bar Midnight Shift has been resurrected.
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BarNick & Nora's Parramatta
45 Macquarie Street, Parramatta
Enjoy incredible views, a luxe 30s-inspired fit-out and a covetable Champagne collection.
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BarEmployees Only
9A Barrack Street, Sydney
Visit NYC's world-class cocktail bar's first late-night Australian outpost for cocktails and cabaret.
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BarThe Burwood Hotel
121-123 Burwood Road, Burwood
This longtime Burwood stalwart is now slinging alcoholic bubble teas.
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BarMaybe Sammy
115 Harrington Street, The Rocks
An award-winning an immensely opulent 50s-inspired cocktail bar.
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BarMary's Underground
29 Reiby Place, Sydney
As well as a full French-style bistro menu, this CBD restaurant from the Mary's crew has a seafood bar and jazz running six night a week.
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BarPrince of York - CLOSED
18 York Street, Sydney
At this multi-level CBD venue you can start with bone marrow toasties and naturally fermented prosecco for dinner, then head downstairs to dance on tables under a disco ball.
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BarDynasty Karaoke
63 Dixon Street, Haymarket
Live out your popstar fantasies at this expansive karaoke joint in Dixon Mall.
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BarB. Lucky & Sons
Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Sydney
An adults-only arcade bar from the Holey Moley team.
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BarMarrickville Bowling & Recreation Club
91 Sydenham Road, Marrickville
An inner west institution for live music and lawn bowls.
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BarBungalow 8
3 Lime Street, Sydney
A harbourside bar with views from the beer garden, tropical vibes and a buzzing dance floor.
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BarThe Commercial Hotel
2 Hassall Street, Parramatta
You can always count on this joint for kick-ons — it's open until 6am on Fridays.
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BarAlbion Hotel
135 George Street, Parramatta
Parramatta's late-night, dog-friendly pub has one of the best beer gardens in Sydney.
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BarDean's Lounge
7 Kellett Street, Potts Point
This Potts Point bar has retro arcade games, a vintage jukebox and mac 'n' cheese jaffles.
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Ivy
330 George Street, Sydney
A key player in Merivale's massive CBD precinct, this bar throws one helluva party.
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BarOdd Culture Newtown
266 King Street, Newtown
An exciting Newtown wine bar with cracking French-meets-Japanese fare from the team behind the Old Fitz.
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BarThe Marlborough Hotel
145 King Street, Newtown
This three-level Newtown favourite has been a King Street mainstay since 1860.
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RestaurantThe Bridge Hotel
119 Victoria Road, Rozelle
Catch live shows from a wide variety of artists at this Inner West mainstay.
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BarBar Planet
16 Enmore Road, Newtown
Martinis are the name of the game at this psychedelic Enmore Road cocktail bar from the Cantina OK! team.
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BarKISSUU - CLOSED
245 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Find a Japanese restaurant with eats from an ex-Nobu chef downstairs and a disco-heavy party bar upstairs.
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BarKipling's Garage Bar
2 Eastern Road, Turramurra
This industrial-chic wine bar is one of the best lesser-known watering holes on the T1 train line.
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PubCoogee Bay Hotel
253 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee
A beachside pub that's been a part of the community for 150 years.
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BarThe Abercrombie Hotel
100 Broadway, Chippendale
Dance the night away at this massive Chippendale venue, which boasts multiple dance floors, a rooftop bar and a bottle shop.
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BarARQ Sydney
16 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst
A staple of Oxford Street for more than two decades.
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BarShades - CLOSED
12A Eddy Avenue, Haymarket
You'll find DJ sets, film screenings, top-notch cocktails and wines at this multi-faceted creative space from the Golden Age team.
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BarMarble Bar
488 George Street, Sydney
Underneath a world-class hotel, you'll find a cave of polished stone and a menu of stunning cocktails.
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BarZaffi Sydney
Little Hunter Street, Sydney
The party continues until 4am at this neon-lit cocktail bar and Lebanese restaurant.
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Cheers Sports Bar Sydney
561 George Street, Sydney
A 24-hour sports bar with large screens to catch all the action.
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RestaurantBottega Coco
300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Italian dining meets sustainability in this new Italian eatery in Barangaroo.
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BarThe House of Music & Booze
161 Princes Highway, Saint Peters
The Music and Booze Co's St Peters home is a gig haven with a leafy sunlit beer garden and plenty of live music.
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RestaurantCity Oltra
1 Eddy Avenue, Haymarket
This low-key pizza joint located by Central Station serves huge pies with inventive toppings.
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BarThe Underground UTS
15 Broadway, Ultimo
Go from a cold one and games to a 600-strong party with live music and DJs at this casual campus hotspot.
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BarFortunate Son
105 Enmore Road, Newtown
A small bar full of juxtapositions — styled like an American dive bar serving up top-notch champers.
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BarThe Caterpillar Club
92 Pitt Street, Sydney
Swillhouse brings another moody underground haunt to Sydney with this walk-in only record and cocktail bar — with a must-try cheeseburger.
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BarThe Emerald Room
235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Looking for dinner and show? Look no further than this verdant spot in Darlinghurst.
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BarThe Trocadero Room
156 Enmore Road, Enmore
A colourful Enmore gig space with nostalgic cocktails and a live lineup that's got a little bit of everything.
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BarPleasure Club
6 Wilson Street, Newtown
Pleasure Club is the Odd Culture Group's hedonistic underground live music and cocktail bar, open until 4am below King Street.
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RestaurantSanta Catarina
152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney
A Oaxacan restaurant with an outrageous mezcal collection hidden away in Sydney's YCK Laneway precinct.
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BarNow & Then
222 Clarence Street, Sydney
Pét-nats and sage-infused spritzes meet shandys and sherry cobblers at this intimate subterranean spot.
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BarDry Martini
Level 1, 44 Kensington Street, Chippendale
With influences from London behind the bar and Spain in the kitchen, this new cocktail lounge is bringing international flare to Chippendale.
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BarMidtown Bar and Lounge
81 Sussex Street, Sydney
This sultry drinking den with an opulent, art deco fitout has a cocktail list from an award-winning mixologist.
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BarArcade Bar & Club
16-18 O'Connell Street, Sydney
A multi-venue hospitality hub set in one of Central Sydney's most stunning buildings.
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BarMountain Culture Brewery Redfern
158 Regent Street , Redfern
Enjoy fan favourites and rotating new brews at Australia's fastest-growing craft brewer's third outpost — and its first in the inner city.
