The Best Inner-City Sydney Bars for After-Work Drinks

Sip speciality wine, drink local craft beer or enjoy a Negroni (or two) at these post-work haunts.
Concrete Playground
Published on April 01, 2023
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    Gin Lane

    16A Kensington Street, Chippendale

    This Kensington Street townhouse is filled with gins from around the world, and now boasts a nostalgic British dining room.

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    Hotel Harry

    40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

    The century-old Macquarie Hotel gets a new lease on life with the revamped Hotel Harry.

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    Burrow Bar

    Basement, 96 Clarence St, Sydney

    A small basement bar with a big personality where theatrical bartending, creative cocktails and Vietnamese snacks are on the menu.

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    Since 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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    The Old Fitzroy Hotel

    129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo

    A classic old English feel, a toasty fireplace and charming regulars meet fancy French feeds and natty wines at this Woolloomooloo pub.

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    Paski Vineria Popolare

    239 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    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.

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    The 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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    Kasbah, The Strand Hotel Rooftop

    99 William Street, Darlinghurst

    This historic pub and hotel is home to a breezy rooftop cocktail garden with top-notch bar snacks.

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    Love, Tilly Devine

    91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst

    One of Sydney's first small bars, this Darlinghurst wine bar never gets old.

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    Tokyo Bird

    226 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

    Tokyo Bird is ruling the roost with a focus on hot-right-now Japanese whisky and yakitori sticks.

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    Menzies Bar

    37 Margaret Street, Sydney

    The first venue to open inside the newly renovated Shell House is a stunning bistro with a daily martini and lobster roll special.

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    Mille Vini

    397 Crown Street, Surry Hills

    An exciting overhaul of the Italian bar brings a fresh face to Surry Hills' eat street.

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    Sammy Junior - CLOSED

    66 King Street, Sydney

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

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    Vini Divini

    60 Carrington Street, Sydney

    This inner city bar's wine wall contains over 1000 bottles from ten different countries.

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    Forrester's

    336 Riley Street, Surry Hills

    The Surry Hills pub has undergone a $1.5-million makeover, leaving it with one of Sydney's best beer gardens.

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    Bitter Phew

    137 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Craft beer bar upstairs, natural wine bar downstairs.

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    Little Felix

    2A Ash Street, Sydney

    Merivale's 60-seat 1920s Paris-inspired cocktail bar in the CBD.

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    The Old Clare Rooftop Bar

    Rooftop, The Old Clare Hotel, 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale

    This hotel pool bar is open to the public for cocktails and snacks.

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    Employees 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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    The Rooftop

    214-216 Harris Street, Pyrmont

    A Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar and lounge in Pyrmont.

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    Shady Pines Saloon

    Shop 4 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst

    Come for the free peanuts and daily happy hour, stay for the moose head and bar banter.

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    Old 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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    Barangaroo House

    35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

    The jewel in Barangaroo's ever-growing crown, Barangaroo House is made up of three levels — we reviewed them all.

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    Handpicked Cellar Door

    50 Kensington Street, Sydney

    Chippendale's wine and cheese haven (and they deliver).

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    Untied

    400 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

    With an oyster bar, Aussie-themed cocktails and a view over the harbour.

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    The Long Goodbye

    Level 1, 83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst

    Darlinghurst's film noir-inspired cocktail bar.

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    PS40

    40 King Street, Sydney

    This Skittle Lane spot is a haven for inventive cocktails that promise an adventure for your tastebuds.

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    Dove & Olive

    156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills

    The first rule of Craft Beer Fight Club is you do not talk about Craft Beer Fight Club.

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    Taylor's Rooftop

    13 Tank Stream Way, Sydney

    A CBD rooftop bar with a vertical garden, tacos and live tunes.

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    Goros

    84-86 Mary Street, Surry Hills

    A kitsch Japanese dive bar with a late night DJ, arcade games and three karaoke rooms.

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    Keg and Brew

    26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

    An old school pub filling your schooner with something a little bit different.

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    The Winery

    285A Crown Street, Surry Hills

    Drinking classy means having a 'champagne bell' alert the waitstaff when your glass gets empty.

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    Ramblin' 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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    Morrison's Oyster Bar & Grill

    Grosvenor Street, Sydney

    Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill has injected lower George Street with that little bit of glamour we've all been waiting for.