Concrete Playground Awards: The Best of 2021 in Sydney

The Best New Sydney Bars of 2021

Here are eight of Sydney's best new boozy additions for 2021, as chosen by the Concrete Playground team.

Nine Late-Night Inner West Bars to Kick On to When That First Date Is Going Well

From an eclectic jazz lounge to a Quentin Tarantino-inspired bar, these venues guarantee a good time — and a great date.

Eight Cracking Aussie Wines to Stock Up on for All the Silly Season Festivities You Have Planned

From reasonably priced rieslings for backyard barbies to impressive biodynamic cabernets for the ideal dad gift.

Four Easy Gin Cocktails That'll Take You From Brunch to Nightcap

Whether you're after a brunch-time tipple, a breezy afternoon spritz or a sultry nightcap, these gin cocktails will elevate every cocktail hour.

Four Impressive Garnishes for Pre-Bottled Cocktails When You Want a Drink (But CBF Bartending)

Try these low-effort, high-reward garnishes to level up your next cocktail hour.

These Four Wine Venues Have Been Dubbed Australia's Best by the 2021 Wineslinger Awards

Melbourne's Embla is the country's best wine-sipping spot for 2021, while Sydney’s P&V Merchants is the best new vino haunt.

These Four Australian Venues Have Been Named in the World's 50 Best Bars for 2021

Sydney's Maybe Sammy came in at number 22, with Cantina OK! and Re also earning a spot — plus Melbourne's Above Board.

Hickson House Is the New Warehouse Distillery and Restaurant Opening Today in The Rocks

In the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge lies Hickson House — a craft spirits distillery that offers immersive tours, tastings and private dining experiences.

Sparkling Sydney Is Bringing Its Harbourside Wine Festival Back to Pyrmont in 2022

The food and wine festival will serve up more than 60 sparkling wines from 20 local regional wineries, all by the water at Pirrama Park.

Melbourne Cocktail Haven Byrdi Has Scored a Ranking in The World's 50 Best Bars 51-100 List

The CBD bar was the only Aussie to make this year's extended list, with the top 50 set to be revealed next week.

Here's Which Aussie Distilleries Won Big at the 2021 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards

Last night's awards ceremony saw plenty of love for Victorian-born spirits and a huge victory for South Australia's Never Never Distilling Co.

A Bluffer's Guide to Cognac

Is it brandy? Is it wine? Well, yes and no — cognac is somewhere in between. We take a closer look at one of the world’s most misunderstood spirits.

Six Simple Whisky Serves for Every Type of Event You'll Be Hosting This Summer

These easy-to-make tipples will impress no matter the occasion.

Six Personalised Gifts for the Person You Want to Go that Extra Mile for this Christmas

Show them you care with a gift that has their name on it — literally.

Tio's Is Shouting $1000 Worth of Free Margaritas to Commemorate Its Tenth Birthday

Celebrate a decade of your favourite Surry Hills tequila den with a birthday party and a massive margarita giveaway.

Two New Sky-High Bars Have Opened Inside Sydney's Historic Shell House

One of the newest venues is aptly titled Clocktower, offering guests the opportunity to sip cocktails from inside the building's 400-tonne clock.

Queen Chow Is Popping Up in the South Coast with Its First Venue Outside of Sydney

Queen Chow is making its way south and popping up in one of Merivale's Narooma venues with locally sourced seafood and Eric Koh's dumplings.

Five NSW Cafes to Visit This Weekend If You Like to Enjoy Water Views with Your Brew

Start your day the right way.

Moon Dog Brewing Is Kicking Off Summer by Giving Away a Heap of Free Fizzer Alcoholic Seltzers

Bring your vessel to Moon Dog's breweries to nab a free drink — or head to a number of other spots around the city, Sydney and Adelaide for a free schooner.

Frank Mac's Is the New 120-Seater Gin and Cocktail Bar at The Rocks

Boasting one of Sydney’s largest collection of gins, this cosy dining and drinking space is the newest venture from the team behind nearby whisky bar, The Doss House.

We're Giving Away a Double Pass to an Exclusive Harbourside Pop-up Bar for You and a Mate (or Date)

Make a toast to summer at this dazzling drinking destination.

Four Pillars and Go-To Skincare Have Joined Forces to Create New Limited-Edition 'Go-To Gin'

For those nights where you need to slap on a face mask, pour a G&T and put your phone on 'Do Not Disturb'.

The Wine Island Team Is Hosting a Three-Day Greek Festival on Sydney Harbour's Clark Island

Spend a day in the middle of Sydney Harbour eating grilled octopus, drinking frozen ouzo and pretending you're taking a Mediterranean holiday.

Seven Bars to Have a Catch-Up with Mates Now and Pay Later

Have fun now and think about the bill later.

Nine Must-Visit Bars in The Rocks for Your Next Night Out with Mates

Hit up a much-loved rooftop bar with killer harbour views, or head to a soon-to-open distillery in the heart of the city.

This Christmas Tinnie Tree Is Stacked with Craft Beers to Make Your Festive Season Extra Merry

Forget regular Christmas trees — this brew-filled version makes a very jolly (and boozy) centrepiece.

Internet Kings The Inspired Unemployed Have Launched Their Own Beer Just in Time for Summer

Better Beer is a zero-carb, zero-sugar lager that Ford jokes is "healthier than broccoli".

The Localist: Sydney 2021

The past year has really highlighted the importance of supporting our local shops and hospo joints. There's power at your fingertips — and in your shopping baskets.

Inner West Brewery Philter Is Opening Its New Rooftop Bar Marrickville Springs This Week

The sun-soaked rooftop is adorned with a neon bin chicken and will serve Philter brews as well as frozen cocktails.

We're Giving Away the Ultimate Archie Rose Gin Prize Pack

Including a case of the Sydney distillery's brand-new gin.

How to Become a Gin Genius, According to an Expert

Follow this boozy lesson on botanical notes, copper stills and juniper-heavy gin with the master distiller of Archie Rose.

Wine Island Is Bringing Its Three-Day Vino-Tasting Party Back to Sydney Harbour in 2022

Clark Island will again be turned into a wine lover's oasis for three days next March.

What One Coffee Lover Discovered After Switching to Oat Milk for a Whole Week

A dedicated dairy drinker switched to oat for a week. How did it turn out?

The Bean Scene: How Coffee in Australia Has Evolved — and the Future Trends to Look Out For

We ask the experts to look into their crystal coffee cups.

We're Giving Away a Summer's Supply of This Refreshing New Gin Seltzer

Know someone who is the epitome of sunshine? Dob them in to win a summer's supply of this delicious new drink.

Four Pillars Is About to Drop Its 2021 Christmas Gin So You Can Get Drunk on Pud with Nan

The annual release sees Christmas puddings distilled with spicy botanicals to create a truly festive tipple.

White Claw Is Dropping New Variety Packs So You Can Relish Being Seltzer-Indecisive

The Claws are coming out this summer.

You Can Now Get Mr Black Espresso Martinis in Ready-to-Drink Cans

The distiller and coffee roaster is now offering canned espresso martinis — and ten percent off your next order.

Four Pillars Has Launched Ready-to-Drink Gin and Tonic Cans Just in Time for Summer

The RTDs are made with a hyper-concentrated version Four Pillars' rare dry gin and a special tonic designed to complement the spirit.

Alcohol Restrictions Have Been Lifted in a Heap of Sydney Parks Until the End of October

Picnicking with your pals now that the lockdown rules allow it? You can make those get-togethers boozier, too, at 18 Sydney parks.

Grifter Brewing Co Is Making Great Beer Better for the Environment

Feel better about beer with these innovative new four-pack holders that will massively reduce plastic waste.