Sydney Bars and Restaurants That Are Perfect Date Material

The Wine Library

18 Oxford Street, Woollahra

The sassiest library this side of the Eastern Distributor. If you like wine, you'll love it here.

Love, Tilly Devine

91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst

One of Sydney's first small bars, this Darlinghurst wine bar never gets old.

Grandma's - CLOSED

Basement, 275 Clarence Street, Sydney

A CBD cocktail bar with faded granny glamour.

Different Drummer

185 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Before the rise of the small bar, this was Glebe's cocktail oasis in a desert of old-man pubs.

Shady Pines Saloon

Shop 4 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst

Come for the free peanuts and daily happy hour, stay for the moose head and bar banter.

Timbah - CLOSED

375 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

A neighbourhood wine bar pouring whatever's open and dishing out a world of flavours.

Eau De Vie

285 George Street, Sydney

Once 13th on the World's 50 Best Bars list, Eau de Vie's second iteration features inventive takes of espresso martinis and old fashioneds.

Corridor

153A King Street, Newtown

This aptly-named small bar is brimming with more than its fair share of goodness.

Hemingway's

48 North Steyne, Manly

The atmosphere of a writer's den, insanely long opening hours, fun and flavorsome food, a drinks menu that will keep even the most inspired drinker guessing, and not even the slightest degree of pretension.

The Little Guy

87 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Boysenberry cider, a 16-strong beer list and live music.

The Baxter Inn

152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney

A cavernous whisky bar where the bartenders know their stuff and good times are at the top of the agenda.

Opera Bar

Lower Concourse, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney

A must-do with out-of-towners or when you're seeing a gig at the Opera House.

The Roosevelt

32 Orwell Street, Potts Point

A refined NYC-inspired bar sending you back to the 1950s with champagne, plenty of cocktails and oysters.

Stitch Bar

61 York Street, Sydney

Don't be fooled — beyond the tailor's shop frontage is one of Sydney's coolest subterranean bars, serving classic cocktails and delicious dive dogs.

10 William St

10 William Street, Paddington

This lively Paddington stalwart is a portal into some of the best wine, pasta and snacks this city has to offer.

Palmer & Co.

Abercrombie Lane, Sydney

A hidden, but well-known, cocktail bar reminiscent of Sydney's notorious past of speakeasies, sly grog and razor gangs.

The Cottage Bar & Kitchen

342 Darling Street, Balmain

Where every night is the dinner party you've dreamed of one day throwing.

Arcadia Liquors

7 Cope Street, Redfern

A fairy light-lit small bar with a sweet little courtyard out the back.

Morrison's Oyster Bar & Grill

Grosvenor Street, Sydney

Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill has injected lower George Street with that little bit of glamour we've all been waiting for.

The Fox Hole

68A Erskine Street (enter Via Kent Street), Sydney

Perched on the corner of Kent and Erskine Streets in the CBD, the Fox Hole lures you into its basement with hazily candle-lit tables and speakeasy charisma.

Tapavino

6-8 Bulletin Place, Sydney

Tapavino represents everything tapas stands for: eating fine food and drinking even finer wine.

Button Bar - CLOSED

65 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

Avast ye small bar enthusiasts. This is Button Bar. Welcome aboard.

Grain

Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George Street, Sydney

The Four Seasons' sultry cocktail bar.

The Botanist

17 Willoughby Street, Kirribilli

Sprightly and whimsical, The Botanist is abloom with good food, great drinks and a fun, furzy mood.

Monopole

20 Curtin Place, Sydney

This Sydney institution's third iteration is a love letter to the rich haute cuisine traditions of France with an epic wine list to match.

Vasco

421 Cleveland Street, Redfern

For the rock 'n' roller, walking into Vasco is a little like walking into that dream where you got everything you ever wanted.

Earl's Juke Joint

407 King Street, Newtown

Bourbon Street meets Newtown at this New Orleans-infused, broody bar.

O Bar and Dining

Level 47, Australia Square/264 George Street, Sydney

With attentive service, a sophisticated menu and incredible views to pair from 47 floors up, this is one high that will be hard to come down from.

Neighbourhood

143 Curlewis Street, Bondi

Next time your throat is dry and sunstroke has you seeking shelter, grab a Neighbourhood Bloody Mary.

Chester White Cured Diner

3 Orwell Street, Potts Point

Dig into moreish cured meats, cheese-wheel cacio e pepe and braised beef cheeks at this charming converted cottage.

The Tilbury Hotel

12 Nicholson Street, Woolloomooloo

Linger over a long lunch or dive into dessert at the new-look Tilbury.

The Stinking Bishops

Shop 5, 63-71 Enmore Road, Newtown

A place where cheese gets the recognition it deserves.

The Potting Shed

The Grounds Of Alexandria, Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria

Dine by candlelight in the nighttime green oasis of The Grounds of Alexandria.

The Bucket List - CLOSED

Shop 1, Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi

Bondi Beach's favourite watering hole doesn't go into hibernation for the winter.

Secret Garden Bar

134a Enmore Road, Enmore

Secret Garden Bar has once again reinforced that if you’re a fan of fun, the inner west needs to be your playground.

Knox Street Bar

21 Shepherd Street, Chippendale

This cement-walled drinking dungeon hosts live music, storytelling, burlesque and drink-and-draw classes.

Zigi's Wine Bar

8 Shepherd Street, Chippendale

Art, wine and cheese, it’s the golden trifecta. It’s not in the title, but it does cooking classes, too.

Wilhelmina’s Liquid + Larder

332 Darling Street, Balmain

From the folks behind Grandma's and The Wild Rover comes a masterful bar that's fresh, seasonal and sensational.

Manly Wine

8-13 South Steyne, Manly

Head to the beach without hitting the sand in this chic beach house by the sea.

Biru Biru

239 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst is home to Sydney's first Japanese beer bar and restaurant, from the team behind Zushi.

The Butler

123 Victoria St, Potts Point

This expansive Potts Point terrace restaurant and bar boasts panoramic views of Sydney's skyline.

Tokyo Bird

Shop 2, 226-228 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills

Tokyo Bird is ruling the roost with a focus on hot-right-now Japanese whisky and yakitori sticks.

Peekaboo - CLOSED

120 Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo

A hidey-hole of a small bar off the beaten Woolloomooloo path.

Catalina

New South Head Road, Rose Bay

The fine dining institution remains a jewel in the crown that is Sydney Harbour's dazzling waterfront dining offering.

The Winery

285A Crown Street, Surry Hills

Drinking classy means having a 'champagne bell' alert the waitstaff when your glass gets empty.

Archie Rose Distillery

85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery

If you're looking to lift your spirits, this gin distillery is the place to be.

The Swinging Cat

44 King Street, Sydney

Sip a signature sazerac as you let this characterful basement jazz bar whisk you away to the Big Easy.

Barrel Bar and Dining - CLOSED

3/362 Military Road, Cremorne

Experience the best wine and food matching — even if you BYO.

Thievery - CLOSED

91 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

The Middle Eastern restaurant home to that burnt butter hummus — and a cracking vegetarian feast.

The Temperance Society

122 Smith Street, Summer Hill

Named after a group of alcohol abstainers, this place has the welcome surprise of taps flowing with local ales.

Drake Eatery - CLOSED

Corner Of Curlewis And Gould Streets, Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach's new home of warm timber panelling and warming Thirlmere duck.

Porch - CLOSED

102 Brighton Boulevard, North Bondi

Bondi's home of the Breaky Bowl has queues out the door on weekends (even in winter).

Middlebar - CLOSED

383 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst

Inspired by Cuban cocktail joints, the former Lo-Fi space is now a make-your-own G&T bar.

Dead Ringer

413 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

The Bulletin Place team reinvent Bacardi Breezers, Redskins and so many nostalgic favourites.

Continental Deli Bar Bistro

210 Australia Street, Newtown

Where drinking cocktails gets that much better because they're served in cans.

The Clare Bar

1 Kensington Street, Chippendale

Three high-end restaurants, 62 guest rooms and its very own custom-designed scent.

Henry Deane

Rooftop, 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point

The Palisade's luxe rooftop bar is the best place to take in Sydney.

Darlo Country Club - CLOSED

235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

An LA-style social club from the team behind the Lobo Plantation.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach

Waterside food and views worth a million bucks.

The Crossing - CLOSED

13 O'Brien Street, Bondi Beach

Creative snacks and cocktails in a damn good-looking bar.

Speakeasy Bar

83 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach

A small bar with an impressive wine and a lot of local loyalty.

Jangling Jack's

175 Victoria Street, Potts Point

Find blues, soul and cocktails inspired by the notorious historic locals of Potts Point at this neighbourhood speakeasy.

Assembly Restaurant

488 Kent Street, Sydney

The CBD bar has its own Italian restaurant — with former Da Orazio chef Nick Pulcher in charge of the menu.

Busby Under The Garage

55 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo

Discover this hidden basement bar underneath Riley Street Garage.

Since I Left You

338 Kent Street, Sydney

This art-filled courtyard bar, with a relaxed spirit and a drinks menu to match, is the perfect antidote to a stressful day in the office.

Hunter Gatherer - CLOSED

Greenwood Plaza Rooftop, 36 Blue Street, North Sydney

Forage your way to North Sydney's new rooftop eatery.

The Four in Hand by Guillaume

105 Sutherland Street, Paddington

Paddo's beloved pub has a new hatted chef in the dining room.

The Newport

2 Kalinya Street, Newport

Merivale's northern jewel in the crown.

Willie the Boatman

Building 6/75 Mary Street, St Peters

A Luchetti Krelle-designed brewery in St Peters.

PS40

40 King Street, Sydney

This Skittle Lane spot is a haven for inventive cocktails that promise an adventure for your tastebuds.

Young Henrys

D & E, 76 Wilford Street, Newtown

The Newtonian craft brewery that started it all.

Calabur Cafe & Diner - CLOSED

51-53 Spring Street, Bondi Junction

An all-day Asian diner that truly transforms from day to night.

The Noble Hops

125 Redfern Street, Redfern

Redfern's dedicated craft beer bar.

Deus Bar & Kitchen

98-104 Parramatta Road, Camperdown

Deus Cafe has moved into more mature territory — with an ex-Bistro Moncur chef no less.

Kittyhawk

16 Phillip Lane, Sydney

Combining a French military aesthetic with an end of war party vibe and a bar stocked with over 900 spirits expect banging cocktails.

Big Poppa's

96 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

A late-night cheese, wine and hip hop bar.

Hacienda

Level Three, Pullman Quay Grand, 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney

Sydney Harbour's Cuban-inspired vista bar.

J&M Whisky Bar

Level 2, Angel Hotel, 1 Angel Place, Sydney

Merivale's upstairs spirit den comes with personal drinks trolley service.

Cured Manly - CLOSED

42 Market Lane, Manly

Cheese, charcuterie and wine.

Bar Ume - CLOSED

478 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

Bourke Street's Ume has gone casual with burgers and a sizeable whisky and sake selection.

Nour

490 Crown Street, Surry Hills

The contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant has recently been hatted, and is ideal for your next meal in Surry Hills.

Banksii - CLOSED

33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

Sydney's first dedicated vermouth bar and bistro.

Bel & Brio - CLOSED

300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

Barangaroo's 800-square-metre European-style food emporium.

Charlie Parker's

Basement, 380 Oxford Street, Paddington

The basement bar at Fred's with exposed sandstone, seasonal cocktails and killer bar snacks.

Untied

400 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

With an oyster bar, Aussie-themed cocktails and a view over the harbour.

Bibo Wine Bar

7 Bay Street, Double Bay

Double Bay gains another quality vino spot, helmed by an ex-bibo wine bar - sydney head chef.

Aria

1 Macquarie Street, Sydney

Matt Moran's harbourside restaurant has been serving up top-notch tasting menus by the water for 20 years.

Johnny Fishbone - CLOSED

185 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

A Darlinghurst wine parlour from the Buffalo Dining Club team.

Can Cava Pintxos & Wine - CLOSED

101 Hall Street, Bondi Beach

A laidback Bondi bar that's pedalling Spanish snacks and sparkling wine.

NOLA Smokehouse and Bar

Level 1, Tower 1, 100 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney

New Orleans-style sazeracs and smoked meats with a view over the Sydney skyline.

MOLO at Manta

6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo

Sip Sicilian wine with paired cicchetti on the wharf at Manta's new project.

Mjolner

267 Cleveland Street, Redfern

A Thor-inspired carvery doing modern Nordic food and exceptional cocktails.

Dear Sainte Éloise

5/29 Orwell Street, Potts Point

Snack on mussels on toast and choose from over 350 wines at this Potts Point bar.

Howard's Cantina and Cocktail Bar

Upstairs, Rose Of Australia, 1 Swanson Street, Erskineville

An upstairs pub restaurant turning out anything but basic pub food.

Sneaky Possum

86 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale

Chippendale's multifaceted bar can satisfy your morning caffeine fix and your late-night margarita craving.

Tonic Lane - CLOSED

8 Young Lane, Neutral Bay

With 100 Australian-made gins on the menu. And a DIY gin cocktail section, too.

Holey Moley Golf Club

387 King Street, Newtown

Newtown's mini-golf bar with 18 holes, a bao station and a room dedicated to The Simpsons.

Bart Jr

92 Pitt Street, Redfern

This neighbourhood Redfern bar is perfect for catch-ups with mates.

The Rio

126 Smith Street, Summer Hill

Summer Hill's long-standing milk bar is now a spot for Negronis, cheese boards and boozy milkshakes.

Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant

111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

Delicious wine and vino dedication in the heart of the city.

Black Bottle

116 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

A neighbourhood bar with a food cabinet of bar snacks and a very reasonably-priced wine list.

Chula

Shop 7, 33 Bayswater Road, Potts Point

Offering regional Mexican dishes in wicker chairs and a packed menu of tequila and mezcal cocktails.

Monkey's Corner - CLOSED

40 Kensington Street, Chippendale

A near-faultless small 20-seat cocktail bar from the team behind KOI Dessert Bar.

Chin Chin

69 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Sydney's first outpost of Melbourne's famed loud, punchy and queue-inviting Thai eatery.

Cafe Lounge - CLOSED

277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills

Potentially cheesy jokes with definitely cheesy pizza.

The Fernery

719 Military Road, Mosman

Mosman's greenhouse-inspired rooftop with a gin room and a rosé bar.

InterContinental Double Bay

33 Cross Street, Sydney

Gunther's Dining Room - CLOSED

180 Redfern Street, Redfern

We can’t keep Redfern’s retro Euro bar a secret, comrades.

The Cauliflower Hotel

123 Botany Road, Waterloo

A sprawling old pub (established in 1838, in fact) which plays host to a rotating roster of bands.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

55 Doody Street, Alexandria

The activity-filled warehouse comes from the team behind Holey Moley and features ten-pin bowling, dodgem cars and cocktails.

Jackies Cafe

1C Glenmore Road, Paddington

Find fresh, local produce turned into vibrant dishes with a Japanese twist at this Paddington institution.

The Orient Hotel

89 George Street, The Rocks

Yet another longstanding pub in The Rocks that's had a makeover in recent years.