Sydney's Best Bars for Dancing and Late-Night Drinks

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie.
Concrete Playground
November 08, 2021
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  • Restaurant

    Cafe Freda's

    191-195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    The Chippendale nightclub has moved to Darlinghurst and swapped late nights and neon lights for natural wines and pastel hues.

  • Bar

    Tokyo Sing Song

    145 King Street, Newtown

    The vibe at the late-night bar is part Mai Tai jelly square, part Asahi schooner.

  • Bar

    Waywards at The Bank

    324 King Street, Newtown

    The Bank has reopened the upstairs room as a live venue with bar snacks and a slightly FBi Social vibe for the Inner West.

  • Bar

    Factory Theatre

    105 Victoria Road, Marrickville

    Live music and comedy are at the core of the Factory's operation.

  • Bar

    The Duke of Enmore

    148 Enmore Road, Enmore

    This Enmore Road mainstay has woodfire eats, natty wines, heavy metal and picklebacks aplenty.

  • Bar

    Beach Road Hotel

    71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach

    Home to bands, one of Sydney's beer gardens and your favourite booze in Bondi.

  • Bar

    Bondi Beach Public Bar - CLOSED

    180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

    Bondi's iconic corner restaurant has relaunched with a new chef and a (rather affordable) seafood-heavy menu.

  • Bar

    Coogee Pavilion Rooftop

    169 Dolphin St, Coogee

    Life's a beach at the imaginative Coogee Pavilion's beachfront rooftop bar.

  • Restaurant

    Public House Petersham

    292 Stanmore Road, Petersham

    Come for the for the beer garden, stay for the pub grub, natty wine, DJ sets and trivia.

  • Bar

    The Chippo Hotel

    87-91 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale

    The Chippo boasts A+ live music vibes and a New Orleans-inspired menu.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    The Lord Gladstone

    115 Regent Street, Chippendale

    The Lord Gladstone has amped up the entertainment with more live gigs, parties and art exhibitions.

  • Bar

    The Royal Bondi

    283 Bondi Road, Bondi

    The first stage of Merivale's revamped version of this long-running Bondi pub is now open.

  • Bar

    The Bearded Tit

    183 Regent Street, Redfern

    Turn left at the crocheted penises and enter Redfern's brazen art bar.

  • Bar

    Redfern Surf Club

    60 Botany Road, Alexandria

    An Australiana-themed bar with cocktails in cans and a taxidermy ibis.

  • Bar

    Lazybones Lounge

    Level 2, 294 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

    This cosy jazz bar keeps the inner west party going late into the night.

  • Bar

    The Vanguard Newtown

    42 King Street, Newtown

    Newtown's much-loved live music venue has returned.

  • Bar

    Since I Left You

    338 Kent Street, Sydney

    This Sydney courtyard bar could be your CBD paradise.

  • Bar

    Hollywood Hotel

    2 Foster Street, Surry Hills

    When this place gets busy, it gets busy - and with good reason.

  • Bar

    The Flinders

    63 Flinders Street, Surry Hills

    Picklebacks all round, the Flindies is back.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    El Loco

    64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

    This Mexican cantina is the finest example of a casual Merivale experiment.

  • Bar

    Oxford Art Factory

    38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Inspired by Warhol’s Factory in New York, this music venue caters to top international and local talent.

  • Bar

    Upstairs Beresford

    354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

    Stepping into the Upstairs Beresford is like stumbling upon a secret disco inferno you weren’t quite ready for.

  • Bar

    Low302

    302 Crown Street, Darlinghurst

    Darlo bar hoppers may not be starved for their pick of small bars, but Low’s got a little something the others don’t.

  • Bar

    Ching-a-Lings

    133 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Ching-a-Lings is the kind of chilled, unpretentious small bar where you can grab a couch with some good company and while away some very memorable hours.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    El Loco at Slip Inn

    111 Sussex Street, Sydney

    An easy stroll from your CBD office, this Mexican-themed beer garden is the ideal mid-week pit stop.

  • Bar

    Stitch Bar

    61 York Street, Sydney

    A subterranean bar with sewing machines and hot dogs.

  • Bar

    The Pickled Possum

    254 Military Road, Neutral Bay

    Widely renowned as one of the more bizarre establishments in Sydney, the person with the microphone is king at the Pickled Possum.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    El Topo - CLOSED

    500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction

    With atmosphere aplenty, character-filled food and an authentic tequila fort, El Topo comes highly recommended.

  • Bar

    Frankie's - CLOSED

    50 Hunter Street, Sydney

    Part dive bar, part New York-style pizza parlour, part blast from the past in the form of 80s metal.

  • Bar

    The Bourbon - CLOSED

    22 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point

    The Bourbon is all about New Orleans Creole.

  • Bar

    The Soda Factory

    16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

    Venture beyond the Bobby's storefront for boozy spiders, $1 hot dogs and 50s tunes.

  • Bar

    The Ivanhoe Hotel

    27 The Corso, Manly

    A revamped Ivanhoe goes gangbusters on The Corso.

  • Bar

    The Lobo

    209 Clarence Street, Sydney

    The moment you step up to the bar, you're made to feel like a real regular at this relaxed yet refined slice of old Cuba.

  • Bar

    The Cliff Dive

    16-18 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    The Tio's boys have done it again. And this time things are tropical.

  • Bar

    Ramblin' Rascal Tavern

    Basement, 60 Park Street, Sydney

    Head to this basement bar for a booze-slingin' good time.

  • Bar

    Keg and Brew

    26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

    An old school pub filling your schooner with something a little bit different.

  • Bar

    The Oxford Tavern - CLOSED

    1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham

    This Petersham pub has reopened with a leafy beer garden and focus on craft beer.

  • Bar

    Hotel Harry

    40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

    The century-old Macquarie Hotel building gets a Cuban revolution, complete with traditional barbacoa.

  • Bar

    The Greens

    50 Ridge Street, North Sydney

    Prepare to be bowled over.

  • Bar

    Taylor's Rooftop

    13 Tank Stream Way, Sydney

    A CBD rooftop bar with a vertical garden, tacos and live tunes.

  • Bar

    The Collaroy

    1064 Pittwater Road, Collaroy

    The northern beaches boozer was acquired by Merivale and reopened all shiny and new.

  • Bar

    Hotel Steyne

    75 The Corso, Manly

    Manly's lively beachfront go-to pub.

  • Bar

    Big Poppa's

    96 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

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

  • Bar

    Ivy Pool Club

    4/320 George Street, Sydney

    Sydney's super glitzy rooftop pool bar.

  • Bar

    Botany View Hotel

    597 King Street, Newtown

    An iconic south King Street pub that's home to one of Sydney's best beer gardens.

  • Bar

    The Lansdowne Hotel

    2-6 City Road, Chippendale

    The resurrected Chippendale pub has an entire floor dedicated to gigs, plus a huge sun-drenched rooftop.

  • Bar

    George Hotel Waterloo

    760 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo

    This neighbourhood pub has reopened as a taqueria and natural wine bar.

  • Bar

    The Orient Hotel

    89 George Street, The Rocks

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

  • Bar

    Kings Cross Hotel

    248 William Street, Potts Point

    This pub hosts indie bands, jam sessions and DJs, plus there’s a sunny rooftop to boot.

  • Bar

    Golden Barley Hotel

    165-169 Edgeware Road, Enmore

    A family-owned pub with a leafy beer garden.

  • Bar

    K1 Karaoke Lounge

    Level 2, 31-37 Dixon Street, Haymarket

    A LED-lit karaoke haven above Chinatown.

  • Restaurant

    The Duke of Clarence

    152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney

    An 1800s-inspired English tavern with over 500 spirits and a solid menu.

  • Restaurant

    Park House

    2 Park Street, Mona Vale

    The northern beaches pub with a restaurant, cocktail lounge and courtyard.

  • Bar

    Cargo

    60 The Promenade, Sydney

    This King Street Wharf haunt knows how to get the party started — and keep it going.

  • Bar

    Mercantile Hotel

    25 George Street, The Rocks

    A little slice of Ireland in the Rocks, serving unbridled warmth and hospitality.

  • Bar

    Stonewall Hotel

    175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Party till the wee hours in this legendary three-storey bar.

  • Bar

    The Imperial Erskineville

    35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville

    It's all about drag and drinks, darling.

  • Bar

    The Vic On The Park

    2 Addison Road, Marrickville

    This old Marrickville gem has been given the full Merivale treatment and it's totally working it.

  • Bar

    Old Mate's Place

    Level 4, 199 Clarence Street, Sydney

    Creative cocktails, Philly cheesesteaks and old-school library vibes tucked away in a Clarence Street office building.

  • Bar

    Universal Sydney

    85-91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Darlinghurst's legendary gay bar Midnight Shift has been resurrected.

  • Bar

    Nick & Nora's Parramatta

    45 Macquarie Street, Parramatta

    Enjoy incredible views, a luxe 30s-inspired fit-out and a covetable Champagne collection.

  • Bar

    Employees Only

    9A Barrack Street, Sydney

    Visit NYC's world-class cocktail bar's first late-night Australian outpost for cocktails and cabaret.

  • Bar

    The Burwood Hotel

    121-123 Burwood Road, Burwood

    This longtime Burwood stalwart is now slinging alcoholic bubble teas.

  • Bar

    Maybe Sammy

    115 Harrington Street, The Rocks

    An award-winning an immensely opulent 50s-inspired cocktail bar.

  • Bar

    Mary's Underground

    29 Reiby Place, Sydney

    As well as a full French-style bistro menu, this CBD restaurant from the Mary's crew has a seafood bar and jazz running six night a week.

  • Bar

    Prince of York - CLOSED

    18 York Street, Sydney

    At this multi-level CBD venue you can start with bone marrow toasties and naturally fermented prosecco for dinner, then head downstairs to dance on tables under a disco ball.

  • Bar

    Dynasty Karaoke

    63 Dixon Street, Haymarket

    Live out your popstar fantasies at this expansive karaoke joint in Dixon Mall.

  • Bar

    B. Lucky & Sons

    Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Sydney

    An adults-only arcade bar from the Holey Moley team.

  • Bar

    Marrickville Bowling & Recreation Club

    91 Sydenham Road, Marrickville

    An inner west institution for live music and lawn bowls.

  • Bar

    Bungalow 8

    3 Lime Street, Sydney

    A harbourside bar with views from the beer garden, tropical vibes and a buzzing dance floor.

  • Bar

    The Commercial Hotel

    2 Hassall Street, Parramatta

    You can always count on this joint for kick-ons — it's open until 6am on Fridays.

  • Bar

    Albion Hotel

    135 George Street, Parramatta

    Parramatta's late-night, dog-friendly pub has one of the best beer gardens in Sydney.

  • Bar

    Una Mas

    Coogee Pavilion, 130a Beach Street, Coogee

    A wine and tapas bar inside Coogee Pavilion that welcomes you straight off the beach.

  • Bar

    Dean's Lounge

    7 Kellett Street, Potts Point

    This Potts Point bar has retro arcade games, a vintage jukebox and mac 'n' cheese jaffles.

  • Ivy

    330 George Street, Sydney

    A key player in Merivale's massive CBD precinct, this bar throws one helluva party.

  • Bar

    Odd Culture Newtown

    266 King Street, Newtown

    An exciting Newtown wine bar with cracking French-meets-Japanese fare from the team behind the Old Fitz.

  • Bar

    The Marlborough Hotel

    145 King Street, Newtown

    This three-level Newtown favourite has been a King Street mainstay since 1860.

  • Bar

    Uncanny

    349 King Street, Newtown

    This family-run King Street bar is serving up za'atar margaritas, lamb mince hummus and an array of Mediterranean eats.

  • Restaurant

    The Bridge Hotel

    119 Victoria Road, Rozelle

    Catch live shows from a wide variety of artists at this Inner West mainstay.

  • Bar

    Bar Planet

    16 Enmore Road, Newtown

    Martinis are the name of the game at this psychedelic Enmore Road cocktail bar from the Cantina OK! team.

  • Bar

    KISSUU - CLOSED

    245 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

    Find a Japanese restaurant with eats from an ex-Nobu chef downstairs and a disco-heavy party bar upstairs.

  • Bar

    Kipling's Garage Bar

    2 Eastern Road, Turramurra

    This industrial-chic wine bar is one of the best lesser-known watering holes on the T1 train line.

  • Restaurant

    Coogee Bay Hotel

    253 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee

    A beachside pub that's been a part of the community for 150 years.

  • Bar

    Lil Sis

    100 Broadway, Chippendale

    Offering up plenty of natural wines to sample, order by the glass or take home by the bottle — this Chippendale wine bar will quickly become your favourite late-night spot.

  • Bar

    The Abercrombie Hotel

    100 Broadway, Chippendale

    Dance the night away at this massive Chippendale venue, which boasts multiple dance floors, a rooftop bar and a bottle shop.

  • Bar

    ARQ Sydney

    16 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst

    A staple of Oxford Street for more than two decades.

  • Bar

    Shades - CLOSED

    12A Eddy Avenue, Haymarket

    You'll find DJ sets, film screenings, top-notch cocktails and wines at this multi-faceted creative space from the Golden Age team.

  • Bar

    Marble Bar

    488 George Street, Sydney

    Underneath a world-class hotel, you'll find a cave of polished stone and a menu of stunning cocktails.

  • Bar

    Zaffi Sydney

    Little Hunter Street, Sydney

    The party continues until 4am at this neon-lit cocktail bar and Lebanese restaurant.

  • Cheers Sports Bar Sydney

    561 George Street, Sydney

    A 24-hour sports bar with large screens to catch all the action.

  • Restaurant

    Bottega Coco

    300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

    Italian dining meets sustainability in this new Italian eatery in Barangaroo.

  • Bar

    The House of Music & Booze

    161 Princes Highway, Saint Peters

    The Music and Booze Co's St Peters home is a gig haven with a leafy sunlit beer garden and plenty of live music.

  • Restaurant

    City Oltra

    1 Eddy Avenue, Haymarket

    This low-key pizza joint located by Central Station serves huge pies with inventive toppings.

  • Bar

    The Underground UTS

    15 Broadway, Ultimo

    Go from a cold one and games to a 600-strong party with live music and DJs at this casual campus hotspot.

  • Bar

    Fortunate Son

    105 Enmore Road, Newtown

    A small bar full of juxtapositions — styled like an American dive bar serving up top-notch champers.

  • Bar

    The Caterpillar Club

    92 Pitt Street, Sydney

    Swillhouse brings another moody underground haunt to Sydney with this walk-in only record and cocktail bar — with a must-try cheeseburger.

  • Bar

    The Emerald Room

    235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

    Looking for dinner and show? Look no further than this verdant spot in Darlinghurst.

  • Bar

    The Trocadero Room

    156 Enmore Road, Enmore

    A colourful Enmore gig space with nostalgic cocktails and a live lineup that's got a little bit of everything.

  • Bar

    Pleasure Club

    6 Wilson Street, Newtown

    Pleasure Club is the Odd Culture Group's hedonistic underground live music and cocktail bar, open until 4am below King Street.

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