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.
WFH life might have shaken up our schedules and limited our time in the office, but we'll always have a soft spot for the humble after-work drink in Sydney.
No matter how your working hours are spent, there's something to be said for a few relaxed knock-offs with mates, unwinding after a big day on the job. You've worked hard and you deserve a good ol' tipple.
Luckily, there are plenty of great spots primed for after-work drinks in Sydney, boasting fun crowds, top-notch sips and maybe even some cheeky drink specials. While you still have some energy left, venture to one of these Sydney bars for a couple of bevs and send out your working day in style.
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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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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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BarThe 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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BarPaski 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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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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BarKasbah, 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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BarLove, Tilly Devine
91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst
One of Sydney's first small bars, this Darlinghurst wine bar never gets old.
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BarTokyo Bird
Shop 2, 226-228 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Tokyo Bird is ruling the roost with a focus on hot-right-now Japanese whisky and yakitori sticks.
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BarMenzies 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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BarMille 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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BarSammy 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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BarVini Divini
60 Carrington Street, Sydney
This inner city bar's wine wall contains over 1000 bottles from ten different countries.
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BarForrester'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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BarBitter Phew
137 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Craft beer bar upstairs, natural wine bar downstairs.
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BarLittle Felix
2A Ash Street, Sydney
Merivale's 60-seat 1920s Paris-inspired cocktail bar in the CBD.
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BarThe 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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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 Rooftop
214-216 Harris Street, Pyrmont
A Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar and lounge in Pyrmont.
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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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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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BarBarangaroo 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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BarHandpicked Cellar Door
50 Kensington Street, Sydney
Chippendale's wine and cheese haven (and they deliver).
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BarThe Long Goodbye
Level 1, 83 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst's film noir-inspired cocktail bar.
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BarDove & 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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BarTaylor's Rooftop
13 Tank Stream Way, Sydney
A CBD rooftop bar with a vertical garden, tacos and live tunes.
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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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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 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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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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BarMorrison'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.
