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Overview
When work, traffic and life get to be too much, there's only one answer: a good, old-fashioned beverage. But, if you want a genuine piece of peace with your drink, then you need to know where to go. Some bars are too rowdy. Some are too close to the road. Some play really bad music. To make your life easier, we've tracked down ten of Sydney's most oasis-like spots in partnership with the Hahn Brewers. In these hidden-away havens, you can retreat from the noise and the chaos, surrounded by lots and lots of greenery and maybe some beautiful harbour views. Ah, the serenity.
THE FORRESTERS
LIGHT BRIGADE
Atop Woollahra's dearly-loved 1920s Art Deco hotel, there's a rooftop bar that's 83 metres above sea level. Think cool Pacific breezes and pretty views of more rooftops, backdropped by Sydney Harbour. Oversized plant pots, yellow-and-white umbrellas and wooden decking add to the casual feel of the Light Brigade. Should you work up a hunger hole, order a wood-fired pizza.
LONDON TAVERN
Anytime you want a piece of London, but can't afford the flight, swing by the London Hotel Paddington. The tables are plastered with Union Jacks and you can chow down on great English pub classics, including fish 'n' chips and chicken in a basket. For something posher, pop upstairs to the East London restaurant (opened in June 2016) for Shanghai- and Sichuan-inspired dishes. The London's beer garden is a sweet escape on hot days, thanks to its retractable canopy, comfy banquettes and rambling vines. Dogs are welcome.
SINCE I LEFT YOU
Need a close-by spot to recover from your working day? Drape yourself over a bar stool in Since I Left You's courtyard. This magical space is a slice of Sydney's history: its borders are the walls of three heritage-listed storehouses dating back to the 19th century. This industrial past life is respected in the design, yet softened by splashes of green and The Torch Carrier, an 18-metre tall mural by Fintan Magee. Come evening, the fairy lights switch on and musicians move in.
DARLO BAR
The most densely populated location in Australia, Darlinghurst offers lots of fun and surprises. But, every now and again, a dose of quiet is of the essence. That's why drinkers have been taking five on the Darlo Bar's rooftop for years. If you're with mates, claim the central communal table; if you're travelling as a solo or duo, flop onto a lounge chair. The beautiful vertical garden brings the outside world in.
HENRY DEANE
THE BUTLER
From the outside, you'd never guess what was waiting for you inside The Butler. The door opens to a welcoming foyer, which leads onto a wide, airy room, offering an epic perspective on the city skyline. On cold days, enjoy it while protected by glass doors; on nice days, they're pushed aside, creating an indoor-outdoor effect. Tall bamboo plants in green pots and fairy lights complete the picture.
EL LOCO
Ola, chicas and chicos, we're off to Mexico for one hot minute. This delightful, brightly coloured bar is tucked away in the Slip Inn. It's a Merivale adventure, so you can expect lashings of the unexpected. Canary yellow and fire truck red stools crowd around benches wrapped in patterned wallpaper. Trees tower over you, potted in 44-gallon drums. There are DJs occasionally. There is tequila and beer always.
EAST VILLAGE HOTEL
The adored, 100-year-old East Village Hotel opened its new rooftop bar in November 2016. Named The Terrace and designed by Alexander & Co., it gives you 100 square metres of purple stools (with, bless, backs, so you can hang around all night long pain-free), lounges, plants and hand-cut terrazzo slabs. There's also a dedicated rooftop kitchen and bar, serving casual, summery dishes, such as gazpacho soup with marinated blue swimmer crab and basil.
SWEETHEARTS ROOFTOP
Dotted with park benches, palm trees and cable reels-turned-tables, Sweethearts Rooftop is the most laid back oasis on this list. You'll find it atop Sugarmill, one of Kings Cross's best-known nightclubs. Do be warned: there's a five-flight stairwell standing between you and outdoor bliss. That said, sunsets, multi-coloured fairy lights and all-around good times make the climb worthwhile.