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Overview
A good wine bar is like a comfy pair of pyjamas or a hug from a friend: equal parts comforting and reliable. From the host that remembers your name to the joy of finding your favourite Riesling on the pour, these small but by no means minor elements can make a casual drink after a gruelling day at work so much more enjoyable.
That's where we come in, with the help of American Express. We've done a lot of eating and drinking in this great city of ours, so we've sifted through our directory to pick out the best casual drinking spots to suit any plans. Whatever the reason — a rough day at the office, celebrating a co-worker's birthday, a day ending in 'y' or a last minute work 'meeting' — these establishments have got your back with their great selection of food and drink options. So grab your Amex and head out for a glass of wine.
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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The atmosphere of Wyno is similar to a dinner party: it’s thoroughly dependent on the vibrancy of its guests, but the warmth and ease of the staff always shines through. The wine arm of the Porteño team brings the same charm to this floor as all of their others, with Gavin Wright front and centre, opening bottles and pouring tastes at breakneck speed with Jo Valore. It’s a pleasure to watch hospitality professionals do their thing, and ordering is not so much a request as a suggestion. Nothing can’t be opened, and somms like Wright and Valore have a way of selling wine that makes it hard to say no to anything they mention.
Basically, it’s the perfect place to perch yourself in a dark corner on your lonesome and let the team keep your glass topped up with something delicious. While the time away with Gav telling you nightmare hospo stories, which will only make you grateful your job doesn’t make you polish wine glasses until your hands cramp.
Image: Katje Ford.
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No assessment of the bar scene in Double Bay, or indeed Sydney, is complete without the inclusion of Mrs Sippy. Even on the tail end of winter, this place oozes a summer-fling vibe with its enticing light meals, juicy cocktails and neon-trimmed furnishings.
With a healthy selection of Champagne on their wine list, it’s the perfect place to sneak out of the office for lunchtime bubbles in the sunshine. Of course, grabbing a glass and some afternoon rays is just as fun — as is watching the beautiful people who reside in that neck of the woods go about their day.
Image: Letícia Almeida.
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Lovers of quality vino, make Double Bay’s Bibo your next stop. Joining the harbourside suburb’s wine bar set, it’s to you by two Guillaume expats: head chef Jose Silva, who ran the kitchen at the previous incarnation of Bennelong, and restaurant manager Jonathan Mallet, formerly of Guillaume in Paddington.
Pooling their years of fine-dining experience, Silva and Mallet focus on premium quality (yet not too pricey) Mediterranean dishes, with an emphasis on Portuguese food. Wine-wise, their rather exciting selection includes exclusive access to a very special private cellar, containing a selection of aged Australian Shiraz, Cabernet and Cabernet blends, including a small collection of Penfolds Grange vintages 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1984. A perfect spot to impress your red wine loving boss.
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For a dark and moody drinking vibe, snuggle in close to your office crush at 10 William Street in Paddington. Stripped back and simple, it’s blessedly free of pretension (they know you get enough of that back at the office) — think white walls, naked lightbulbs, a wooden counter and a big chalkboard advertising the entire wine list.
While the selection of drinks is vast enough to satisfy the most seasoned connoisseurs, anyone who finds themselves at a loss when it comes to swilling and sniffing bouquets will also be at home in this comfortable bar. The staff are friendly, not to mention happy to offer recommendations and even a taste test before you invest in the whole bottle of wine. Plus, they’ll also suggest the perfect thing to nibble on.
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In a rare occurrence in this lockout-laden city, Big Poppa’s is open and serving food till 3am. It’s perfect for those work days when you might not get out of the office until 8pm and you’re desperate to unwind.
After taking over the old Hello Sailor site, Big Poppa’s has transformed the space into a compact restaurant upstairs with a small bar, bare brick walls, candle lights and an attractive leather banquette. Downstairs is a bigger, darker cocktail bar area (reminiscent of dark and dirty dancing in the old HS days), that also happens to serve cheese and snacks. The wine list is as sexy as the dancefloor downstairs — mostly Italian with a good range by the glass, and there’s plenty to like in the bottle section under $100.
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Too exhausted to face the wine list on your own? The team at Love, Tilly Devine have your back. They always have a plethora of wines open on the bar to guide you through — and, if you ask nicely, sometimes even something super rare can be splashed into your glass.
With their focus on wines made with minimal intervention from all around the globe, if you’re looking for the rockstars of the natural wine world, you’ll find them here. There’s a reason why LTD is a Sydney institution, as well as the perfect excuse to sneak out of work early. With open windows and exposed brick walls tucked away in a Darlinghurst alley, it’s cosy to the point where you blink and it’s already 10pm.
As you drink and dine with your American Express, reap all the sweet rewards of being a Card Member. Explore the many ways American Express has your back here.
Top image: Katje Ford.