Cocktails and Dreams – Sydney’s trendiest bars
By Jay Chabon
Sydney is known as a place of trendy bars, as well as being the “nightclub city”.
Before you hit the clubs, have a few drinks at a fabulous Sydney bar.
Then you’ll know the meaning of “party Sydney”.
When in Rome…
Hotel Harry
If you’re looking for a Sydney pub with a bit of Latin flair, this is your place.
It’s colourful and creative, with a groovy decor.
It even has South American street food. Such exotic flavours!
The meat dishes are gorgeous. Geez Louise, this is making me hungry.
44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills.
The Winery
This trendy little establishment said it was “a place to relax and escape the city”.
OK, we’re hooked. We were even more entranced when we heard about the cute laneway, where we could sit outside and enjoy a vino or two.
Then we heard it had a decadent “champagne room” with cosy booths.
Take us there now, please!
285A Crown Street, Surry Hills
Grandma’s Bar
What is this place? Well, apparently, it’s a “retro-sexual haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded granny glamour”. Sounds a bit like the cult TV show Mad Men to us.
The bar itself admits it is “tongue-in-cheek from design to drinks” and doesn’t take itself too seriously. We do love a good sense of humour.
275 Clarence Street, Sydney.
Since I Left You
This gorgeous little bar was created with a “sexy 1920s feel”.
It was designed to blend a “relaxed, welcoming feel with old-school decadence and charm”.
This design captured “the essence of the speakeasies of yesteryear”. Reminds us of Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby.
The bar is based in a heritage-listed storehouse. Patrons enter through a “sweeping cobblestone carriageway”. Inside, there’s a candlelit backdrop and recycled wooden bar. This is a funky place.
338 Kent Street, Sydney.
Mojo Record Bar
This bar promotes itself as being all about “booze, tunes and rock ‘n roll”.
You can browse Womens Robert Thomas Jersey through racks of new or pre-loved vinyl and catch music out the back. Aussie beers and classic cocktails are on the menu. Groovy!
73 York Street, Sydney.
Ivy Pool Club
This is one of the hippest bars in town.
It’s on the rooftop of the famous Ivy in George Street.
You can sip cocktails in cabanas, chill out with a beer under palm trees and snack on gourmet pizzas, while lounging around a rooftop pool.
It’s a little piece of paradise in the urban jungle!
Ivy, Level 4, 320 George Street, Sydney.
ECQ Bar
It’s been rated as one of the world’s best bars.
We’re not surprised. This place has incredible views of the Harbour Bridge.
As for its cocktails, the bar talks up its “Marmalade Margarita” – a mix of tequila and citrus – and its “Zacapa Port Crumble” – a mix of chocolate and rum. Tasty!
Located in the 5-star Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, 61 Macquarie Street, East Circular Quay
Tapavino
They say the Spanish are experts in romance.
This romantic boutique wine bar, found in a Sydney laneway near Circular Quay, is modelled on “something you would find in the cobblestoned alleyways of Spain”.
It encourages variety, urging patrons to “sip a little bit of this and eat a little bit of that”.
They say a “beautiful warm vibe greets you” when you enter the bar, which has floor-to-ceiling wine bottles. If you love a classy vino, this is your place.
6 Bulletin Place, Sydney