The 30 Best Underground Bars in Sydney Right Now

From secret speakeasies to low-lit cocktail lounges and even a viking-themed tavern, some of Sydney's best drinking can be found underground.
Concrete Playground
Published on January 04, 2024
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  • 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

    Old Love's

    199 Clarence Street, Sydney

    The Old Mate's Place team's love letter to rum serves long-lost cocktails in its Clarence Street basement.

  • 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

    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

    The Cumberland

    17–19 Central Avenue, Manly

    This Manly cocktail bar is hidden behind a fridge — with 250 different whiskies, creative cocktails and plenty of snacks.

  • 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

    Dulcie's Kings Cross

    44B Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point

    Step into the 1930s at this swish Kings Cross cocktail and cabaret bar.

  • Bar

    Apollonia

    5–7 Young Street, Sydney

    This underground cocktail bar is serving up romantic cocktails and plenty of negronis in the basement of Hinchcliff House.

  • Bar

    Zaffi Sydney

    Little Hunter Street, Sydney

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

  • Bar

    TIVA

    68 King Street, Sydney

    You'll find live music four days a week, impressive cocktails and French-inspired eats at this lounge bar below King Street.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    Mjolner

    267 Cleveland Street, Redfern

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

  • Bar

    The Doss House

    77/79 George Street, The Rocks

    This old-world whisky bar pouring more than 150 varieties is also a fascinating journey into the shady past of The Rocks.

  • Bar

    Door Knock

    70 Pitt Street, Sydney

    It may be hard to find, but this surprising underground cocktail bar, hidden beneath the busy streets of the CBD, is well worth discovering.

  • Bar

    Ramblin' Rascal Tavern

    Basement, 60 Park Street, Sydney

    Whether you're thirsty for a crafted cocktail or a freshly pulled frothy, this basement bar with old-school pub vibes is ready to whet your whistle.

  • 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

    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.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Restaurant

    Restaurant Hubert

    15 Bligh Street, Sydney

    High-class French food in a subterranean space on Bligh Street, where the steak is the stuff of legend.

  • Bar

    The Lobo

    209 Clarence Street, Sydney

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

  • Bar

    Solera Bar

    36 Hickson Road, Millers Point

    Barangaroo's small bar serving up rare champagne and charcuterie boards.

  • Bar

    Burrow Bar

    Basement, 96 Clarence St, Sydney

    A small basement bar with a big personality where theatrical bartending, creative cocktails and Vietnamese snacks are on the menu.

  • 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

    Golden Age Cinema and Bar

    Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

    This revamped screening room and small bar brings a little old-school charm to a night at the movies.

  • Bar

    Soultrap

    70-72 Campbell Street, Surry Hills

    We take our hats off to this Surry Hills bar combining fortified wines and feathered fedoras.

  • Bar

    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.

  • Bar

    Uncle Ming's

    Lower Ground, 55 York Street, Sydney

    This York Street basement bar serving Asian-infused cocktails and delicious dumplings is a little bit kitsch, a little bit mysterious and a whole lot of fun.

  • Bar

    Charlie Parker's

    Basement, 380 Oxford Street, Paddington

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

  • Bar

    Barrio Cellar

    Basement, 58 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

    Some of Sydney's best tequila and mezcal cocktails await at the Barrio Chino team's basement bar.

  • Bar

    The Cliff Dive

    16-18 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

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

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