Overview
Sydney's drinking scene is replete with luxe cocktail lounges, chic rooftop bars and Gatsby-coded speakeasies. Dive bars, on the other hand, are more of a rarity in the Harbour City. Before its closure to make way for the Sydney Metro's City & Southwest line, Frankie's Pizza set the gold standard for this genre of no-frills all-thrills watering hole. Now, a newcomer from a bartending dream team is filling that Frankie's-shaped void.
Ironically, the minds behind Little Cooler — a pop-up dive bar at the Chinatown end of Clarence Street in the CBD — are best known for their sophistication and polish. The team from the multi-award-winning Maybe Sammy has partnered with low-waste pioneer Matt Whiley, whose innovative sustainable cocktail bar Re– closed earlier this year.
Taking their cues from Whiley's eco-minded practice, the venue's designers, from Steel & Stitch, have used reclaimed materials to create a quintessential dive aesthetic with retro punk-rock vibes.
"We've intentionally used materials reclaimed from past projects, capturing the DNA of years of venues in this new space," the Steel & Stitch team explains. "From the bar tops to the seating and down to the smallest details, everything carries the soul of projects past to create a space that feels alive with the experiences of places that have come before it."
While the space sets a raw, grungy, 90s tone, the drinks list is every bit as elevated as you'd expect from a bar team as revered and lauded as this Little Cooler's, offering complex yet unpretentious mingles. These include the Naked & Almost Famous, a margarita-esque mix of fermented rhubarb wine, lime and mezcal, and the subtly titled Screaming Orgasm, featuring milk punch with coffee, vanilla, whisky and almonds.
With space for only 60 punters at a time, this small and scrappy venture is about embracing the crowd, rather than seeking out quiet corners. "We're capturing that raw, rebellious spirit you'd find in legendary venues like CBGB, where the post-punk movement started, and where Madonna performed in her early days," Maybe Sammy co-founder Stefano Catino shares.
"It's not just the music—it's the energy, the vibe. We're mixing rock and old-school hip-hop, creating a space where it feels like you can leave everything at the door, enjoy great tunes, and let loose with some incredible drinks."
As it stands currently, Little Cooler, which has taken over a space in a building due to be demolished in 2026, will only remain open for the next 18 months or so. Unless, of course, popular demand steps in. "We're creating a destination where people will come for the atmosphere, the music, and the drinks," Maybe Sammy co-founder Vincenzo Lombardo says. "We're excited to see how the city embraces it."
Find Little Cooler at 275 Clarence Street, Sydney, open Wednesday Saturday, 5pm–2am.