Sydney's Best Happy Hours for Serious Co-Worker Bonding
Options that will put the mate in workmate.
Sydney's Best Happy Hours for Serious Co-Worker Bonding
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Options that will put the mate in workmate.
Next time team bonding is on the agenda, think outside the cubicle and bring your colleagues to one of Sydney's finest establishments in their golden hours. These American Express-accepting venues offer an array of options for D&Ming that'll seriously put the mate in workmate. Bond over brews overlooking the harbour on a well-placed Sydney terrace or sip on something fancy at a sultry cocktail bar — either way, you'll be dishing on the highs and lows of the workweek in places ideal to help you and your co-workers relax.
We've picked value-for-money happy hours, which means you won't see your hard-earned buckaroos go to waste on drinks that are too exxy to actually enjoy. You'll also be able to stock up on Amex points, too. The spread of places covers rowdy, classy or chill hangs — whichever you prefer to take the sting out this week's deadlines.
Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
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Half-dive bar, half-New York-style pizza parlour, this immersive, high-personality dungeon is a great spot that’s sure to stir up some chat in the break room on Monday. There’s a good range of ales, lagers and ciders as well as the bar’s signature pizza by the slice. Get there between 4 and 6pm and you’ll hit the ultimate happy hour: it’s just $3 for beer, wine, spirits and — best of all — pizza slices.
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The Village Inn is the kind of place that gives you hope for the future of pub renovations, and grants your coworkers a lot to gawk at. The space is a jumble of taxidermy, exposed brickwork, leather banquettes, a hand-wrought communal bar and blonde wood tables. The designers have worked within the bones of the 1840s-built pub, swept away any possible remnants of ol’ Durty Nelly’s, and forged a brand new, genuinely friendly personality in the space. Happy hour offers James Squire or house wines at just $5.
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From the moment you open the door, Hubert will hurtle you headfirst into a C.S. Lewis-style adventure, taking you from dreary Bligh Street to the resplendent old-world opulence of post-war Paris. It’s like an adult’s version of Narnia, only this time there’s steak and wine. Once you reach the bottom of their winding stairwell, you’ll be presented with a series of doorways. You’ll want to take a right because you like cheap drinks and this CBD gem runs a daily aperitif hour from 4–6pm. They serve up a whole heap of really affordable dishes and drinks, including $5 G&Ts, $10 negronis, $5 glasses of wine, $3 deviled eggs, $5 parfait, $10 burgers and yes, even more.
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Let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes, the bar is named after the song from The Avalanches (and you can sing it with the gang at karaoke later). Conveniently located near Wynyard, SILY has acquired a lively urban courtyard, decorated with a large mural and softened by some plants and twinkly lights. The nibbles menu features goodies like waffalafels — crispy waffle-cooked falafels — and the cheeseburger toastie for those who have worked up a hunger. The team has just launched Tunes ‘n’ Tins too, with $6 tins from different local breweries and $12 cocktails and live music from 6.30pm every Thursday.
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Popular with mates, dates and the post-work crowd, the Beresford must be one of Sydney’s most populated pubs. Perhaps the most lovely part of the whole space is the courtyard, more reminiscent of a Japanese garden than your typical Aussie beer garden. Think cobblestones, Japanese maples, low wooden furniture and lanterns dangling above your head. It’s also a refreshing change from the buzzing atmosphere inside — though this doesn’t mean it’s not busy. The rule is to turn up early and stay late, perhaps ducking upstairs to check out a band while you’re there. Happy hour runs from 6–8pm daily, with $6 pints, wine and basic spirits.
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Here’s your chance to show off your sophistication to your work baes. The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room is a class act. Enter, and you’re greeted by an industrial-chic interior complete with exposed brick and concrete pillars. Given the location, this is peak after-work business crowd territory, but there’s plenty of space for them to spread out in.
But it’s the oysters that you’re here for. Perch yourself at the bar on a Wednesday for $1 oysters from 5–7pm and watch the magic unfold as The Morrison’s oyster maestros shuck your Pacific, Angasi and rock oysters to order. Happy Hour runs daily from 5–7pm with a selection of house beer, wines and spirits for $5.
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The Lord Gladstone remains a favourite for locals and work buds to congregate for dinner. The menu offers solid pub fare: hearty and agreeably greasy. Favourites include the traditional cheeseburger or try out vegetarian specials like the barbecue tofu burger ($16). Drinks include some (very) local craft beers, like Marrickville’s Batch American Pale Ale and Sydenham’s Shenanigans Seasonal Summer Ale, as well as a range of Young Henrys’ tallies, tinnies and cloudy cider. With a dedication to live music and an existing killer sound system for the purpose, the Lord Gladstone seems comfortable in its skin, neither trying too hard for design-magazine hip nor chasing the food trend of the month. The pub runs ‘a happy hour Monday to Thursday 5–7pm with $5 house beer schooners and $6 craft schooners.
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There are a lot of great reasons to take your team to The Norfolk, and the courtyard is just the start of it — the pub’s leafy backyard has become a haven for Surry Hills locals to kick back and have a drink in. The $5 happy hour runs from 4–6pm, Monday to Friday, and covers house spirits, house wines and tap beers. If you don’t want to leave out your cocktail loving boss, they’ll be impressed with the ingenuity behind drinks like the Bloody Norf ($16) or a Ciderlicious jug ($30) for the table, combining apple cider with pear vodka and smashed mixed berries. Do a double whammy and rock up on Tuesday for cheap $3 tacos from 6–10pm.
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This Mexican cantina is ideal for lifting the mid-week spirits of the troops, with brightly coloured cacti and affordable, casual tacos and snacks. Located at the Slip Inn, El Loco has food specials every day — head in on Tuesdays for $5 tacos. The CBD joint also runs ‘Loco Hour’ every day from 6–8pm with $6 schooners, house wines, house spirits and $7 pints.
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