The 30 Best Underground Bars in Sydney Right Now
From secret speakeasies to low-lit cocktail lounges and even a viking-themed tavern, some of Sydney's best drinking can be found underground.
Rooftop and waterfront bars hog the limelight when it comes to Sydney's most desirable drinking establishments. And yet — perhaps counterintuitively for somewhere with such an abundance of sunshine and sea views — plenty of the best bars in town are found underground. Tucked away in basements and down discreet stairwells, you'll find them: cosy and characterful booze bunkers where the cocktails flow while the good times roll.
No matter what vibe you're seeking, there's a subterranean saloon to fit. Feel like munching on a fried chicken burger while you throw back locally brewed craft ales? Sydney has it. Prefer the refinement of a lobster roll paired with a bottle of Dom? It's got that too.
Ideal for impressing a date, afterwork drinks with colleagues or wowing visitors from out of town with your insider knowledge, these are Sydney's best underground bars.
Recommended reads:
The Best Wine Bars in Sydney
The Best Pubs in Sydney
The Best Restaurants in Sydney
The Best Bars in Sydney's CBD
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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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BarOld Love's
199 Clarence Street, Sydney
The Old Mate's Place team's love letter to rum serves long-lost cocktails in its Clarence Street basement.
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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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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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BarThe Cumberland
17–19 Central Avenue, Manly
This Manly cocktail bar is hidden behind a fridge — with 250 different whiskies, creative cocktails and plenty of snacks.
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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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BarDulcie's Kings Cross
44B Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
Step into the 1930s at this swish Kings Cross cocktail and cabaret bar.
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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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BarEau De Vie
285 George Street, Sydney
Once 13th on the World's 50 Best Bars list, Eau de Vie's second iteration features inventive takes of espresso martinis and old fashioneds.
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BarThe Doss House
77/79 George Street, The Rocks
This old-world whisky bar pouring more than 150 varieties is also a fascinating journey into the shady past of The Rocks.
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BarDoor Knock
70 Pitt Street, Sydney
It may be hard to find, but this surprising underground cocktail bar, hidden beneath the busy streets of the CBD, is well worth discovering.
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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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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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BarShady 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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BarThe Swinging Cat
44 King Street, Sydney
Sip a signature sazerac as you let this characterful basement jazz bar whisk you away to the Big Easy.
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RestaurantRestaurant Hubert
15 Bligh Street, Sydney
High-class French food in a subterranean space on Bligh Street, where the steak is the stuff of legend.
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BarSolera Bar
36 Hickson Road, Millers Point
Barangaroo's small bar serving up rare champagne and charcuterie boards.
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BarBurrow 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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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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BarGolden Age Cinema and Bar
Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
This revamped screening room and small bar brings a little old-school charm to a night at the movies.
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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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BarUncle Ming's
Lower Ground, 55 York Street, Sydney
This York Street basement bar serving Asian-infused cocktails and delicious dumplings is a little bit kitsch, a little bit mysterious and a whole lot of fun.
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BarCharlie Parker's
Basement, 380 Oxford Street, Paddington
The basement bar at Fred's with exposed sandstone, seasonal cocktails and killer bar snacks.
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BarBarrio Cellar
Basement, 58 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Some of Sydney's best tequila and mezcal cocktails await at the Barrio Chino team's basement bar.
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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.
