Five Sydney Bars With Views for Days

Head to this Cuban-inspired hotel for front row seats of Bondi Beach and the palm-tree lined promenade below. Salsa your way on up to the second level, where you’ll find a wraparound terrace complete with flamingo-pink archways, potted palms and wicker chairs. It’s just the spot for kicking off your flip-flops and whiling away the afternoon. The food menu encompasses fresh sea flavours, with head chef Peter Streckfuss dishing up lobster rolls, saffron mussels or the house specialty: blue swimmer crab lasagne made from hand-rolled pasta sheets.  

It’s picture-perfect Bondi: two turquoise pools set against a sandy crescent. But instead of crowding up the walkway, head to Icebergs, specifically the Terrace  — a glass-enclosed sundeck which boasts insanely good views. The casual setup includes picnic tables, beach umbrellas and, the best part, an alfresco bar serving Heineken 3 on tap. There are eats, too — and don’t let the kiosk vibes fool you — the menu was created by the restaurateur Maurice Terzini and Iceberg’s head chef Monty Koludrovic. With the seagulls busy on the shore, treat yourself to some salt and vinegar fries, freshly shucked oysters or smoked cod croquettes.

If there was ever a reason to scale Sydney’s northern peninsula, Merivale’s grand beach palace, the Newport is it. This is a waterside playground for grownups, with ping-pong tables, live music, and more drinking and dining spaces than in your wildest dreams. It’s so big there’s even a map to help you navigate it — and your expert orienteering skills will be rewarded, with superfood smoothies, buckets of fresh prawns and rotisserie chicken rolls, depending on where you end up. The best seats in the house are down the back at Vinnie’s Pizzeria, where you can tackle a pizza and beer as you’re surrounded by shimmering views of Pittwater.

There are plenty of waterfront pubs in Sydney, but few that let you stand on the actual jetty whilst you savour a beer. The Wharfie underwent a significant refurb a couple of years ago, taking it from grungy pub to tropical paradise — thanks to some tan leather here and a little wicker there. As nice as it is inside, it’s better outside — where you can drink in the harbour views, and a Heineken or two, and work on your tan. If you start to feel peckish, reel in an eat — from chargrilled meats to seafood treats, the Wharfie has you covered. Need a ferry home? You’re already there.

Just a few sandy shakes away from the water’s edge, this beachside bar is famous for its unbeatable ocean panorama and chilled surfer vibes. There’s no dress code and they welcome anyone who washes up, even those still in wet togs. On a calm day, you can’t beat the colourful outdoor benches for drinking in the sunshine and watching the waves roll by. Like all good seaside bars, the Bucket List specialises in seafood, with options like polenta-crusted squid, chipotle fish tacos, or for the local wellness crowd, a scorched miso salmon poke bowl. There are also pitchers of cocktails and buckets of beers because, let’s face it, you won’t be moving for a while.