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Admin_Bardar In Bars, Guides, Pubs, Sydney

Sydney’s Best Happy Hours

Sydney is bloody expensive, however, if you put your ear to the ground and lock in slots at a few of these top-notch happy hours you can figure out ways to consume an appropriate number of beverages without causing a Venezuala-level economic crisis. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day at work or kickstart your night out, here are some of the best happy hours around the place. Check out our guide to Sydney’s best happy hours below.

1. The Rover

The Rover’s daily happy hour offers $6 drinks and $2 oysters in a charming, nautical setting.

Located in Surry Hills, The Rover is a cozy bar that brings a touch of old-world charm to Sydney’s nightlife. During happy hour, which runs daily from 4 pm to 6 pm, you can indulge in $6 wines, beers, and G&Ts, along with freshly shucked $2 oysters. It’s the perfect spot to start the evening in sophistication, before sinking into depravity.

2. The Beresford

The Beresford serves up $7 drinks daily in one of Sydney’s most popular beer gardens.

The Beresford in Surry Hills is a favourite among locals, thanks to its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful beer garden. Their happy hour runs every day from 6 pm to 8 pm, offering $7 schooners, wines, and spirits along with $9 pints and $14 Aperols. It’s an ideal spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a casual drink after work. On Sundays in summer, the Bero becomes one of Sydney’s premier LGBTQ+ party spots and hosts the famous Laneway party during Mardis Gras.

3. Tucano’s

Tucano’s offers $12 cocktails and snacks in a vibrant, tropical setting that’s perfect for a midweek pick-me-up.

Tucano’s brings some zesty tiki energy to Surry Hills with its colourful décor and lively ambience. Their happy hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday to Friday, featuring $12 house cocktails, $12 snacks and $8 beers and wines. Warming up with a few happy-hour drinks is especially advisable on Fridays, when DJs fire the place up later in the evening, fostering an energetic and fun dance floor.

4. Hotel Harry

Hotel Harry’s slings $6 schooners and $10 cocktails from 4-6pm in a relaxed spot that’s reliably busy throughout the week.

Harpoon Harry, located in Surry Hills, combines vintage flair with a modern twist. Their happy hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm daily, offering $6 house beers, $8 wines and spirits and $10 cocktails. The Bardar team are particularly big fans of the Harry’s whiskey sour. This place’s eclectic design and laid-back vibe make it a great spot to start your evening, and if you’re hanging around there for a particularly busy Friday or Saturday night, to finish it too at Harry’s House Party – their weekend house and disco event.

5. Shady Pines

Shady Pines is among Sydney’s best (and most well hidden) bars – delivering one of Sydney’s best happy hours with $6.50 tinnies, mixed drinks and house wines, plus $12.50 margs and negronis from 4-6pm every day.

Shady Pines Saloon in Darlinghurst is a Sydney institution and Bardar team favourite known for its Nashville honkey-tonk aesthetic and welcoming atmosphere. Their happy hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm daily, featuring $6.50 house mixers and $12.50 Margaritas and Negronis. It’s a place where you can kick back with a whiskey and enjoy some old-school charm.

6. Queens Hotel Enmore

Queens Hotel sets itself apart with one of Sydney’s best late-night happy hours, giving you the chance to reload on $7 schooners, wine and mixed drinks from 10pm-midnight.

Queens Hotel in Enmore is a stylish pub that combines modern design with a touch of heritage charm. Their happy hour runs from 5 pm to 7 pm daily and then again from 10 to midnight, offering $7 beers, mixed drinks and house wines. It’s a first-class drop in for a few cheap power-up bevvies on a night out in Enmore.

7. Corridor Newtown

Corridor Newtown’s nightly $10 pints, $15 jugs and $14 cocktails make it a lovely spot to sit back, polish a few off and watch Newtown’s eclectic denizens slide by on a Friday night.

Corridor, a cozy bar on King Street, Newtown, boasts one of the happiest happy hours in the area, which is saying something given the density of pubs in the area. Every night from 5 pm to 7 pm, you can enjoy $10 pints, $15 jugs, and $14 cocktails, with different specials throughout the week. The intimate atmosphere makes it a lovely spot for a date, a relaxed catch-up with a mate or somewhere to just vibe out.

8. Tequila Mockingbird

If you’re looking for a solid happy hour in the East, you could do a lot worse than Paddo’s Tequila Mockingbird’s $12 Margaritas

Tequila Mockingbird in Paddington is a South American-inspired restaurant and bar with a focus on fresh, vibrant flavors. Their happy hour runs from 4:30 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday to Friday, featuring $12 Margaritas and a selection of Latin-American snacks starting at $9. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a few pre-dinner drinks and snacks in the inner-East.

Conclusion

You do not have to empty the coffers to get absolutely hammered on a night out in Syd. Whether you’re looking for a glass of wine, a tropical cocktail, or a craft beer. So, grab your friends, head to one of these fantastic venues, and get happier with Sydney’s best happy hours, whatever that means.

Admin_Bardar In Guides, Pubs, Sydney

The Bardar Guide to Sydney’s Best Pubs

About this Guide to Sydney’s Pubs

While no guide to Sydney’s pubs could cover all of the phenomenal venues around town, we’ve nonetheless put together a short list of the Bardar favourites to get you started.

In this guide, we’ve tried to include the best pubs of all styles from different areas – from live music hotspots to raucous Irish pubs to laid-back watering holes. But don’t just take it from us – the depth of Sydney’s pub scene is best experienced rather than read about.

The Guide

1. The Clock

The Clock is a Surry Hills staple offering great views, a diverse drink selection, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Perched on Crown Street in Surry Hills, The Clock is a beloved institution that perfectly captures the essence of a great pub. With its sprawling balconies overlooking the bustling Crown Street, it’s a best-in-class spot for getting into some serious people-watching over a cold drink or ten. Additionally, the Clock has a very pleasant beer courtyard and develops a lively vibe on the weekend when DJs spin on both levels of this fantastic venue.

2. The Vic on the Park

The Vic on the Park is an Inner West stalwart that’s always pumping and possesses perhaps the finest beer garden in Sydney.

The inevitable final destination of any inner-west pub crawl worth its salt is the Vic. The Vic’s main drawcard is its expansive beer garden, featuring a basketball court and grandstand seating. The Vic’s beer garden is among the most raucous in town, often buzzing late into the evening – as befitting a venue with a 3 am license. The Vic also hosts live music regularly, and projects live sport onto a massive screen in the beer garden

3. Coogee Pavilion

Coogee Pav combines beachside charm with a versatile venue offering stunning views and a vibrant atmosphere.

Affectionately known as the Coogee Pav, this beachside pub offers stunning views of Coogee Beach. It’s a multi-level venue with something for everyone: a rooftop bar, a ground-floor restaurant, and even a games area. The rooftop is especially energetic on the weekends, with live DJs keeping it pumping all night. Coogee Pav is also one of Sydney’s most popular Sunday arvo destinations, especially in summer.

4. Beach Road Hotel

Beach Road Hotel captures Bondi’s laid-back spirit with its spacious beer garden, live music, and great food.

Located in Bondi, the Beach Road Hotel is the quintessential Sydney pub; boasting a relaxed vibe, spacious beer garden, regular live music, busy dance floors and a menu featuring everything from pub classics to fresh seafood. It’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

5. Forrester’s

At Forrester’s you will find a combination of historic charm with a modern twist, offering a refined pub experience in Surry Hills.

Forrester’s in Surry Hills is a pub that effortlessly blends the old with the new. Its historic façade houses a modern interior where you can enjoy a wide range of beers, wines, and cocktails. The food menu is a step above typical pub fare, featuring a mix of comfort food and more refined dishes.

6. Burdekin

The Burdekin is one of the most versatile pubs in town, offering everything from a sophisticated rooftop bar to proper rave and live music spaces.

Situated on Sydney’s ex-party thoroughfare, Oxford St, the Burdekin is known for its vibrant nightlife and eclectic crowd. This multi-level pub features different atmospheres on each floor, including a rooftop bar, standard pub space and live music/club rooms. The Burdekin hosts a diverse array of events from emo nights to house and techno parties. It’s a great spot for those looking to start their night with a casual drink and see where the evening takes them.

7. PJ O’Brien’s

PJ O’Brien’s is the crown jewel of Sydney’s Irish pub scene.

Step into PJ O’Brien’s, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a traditional Irish pub. Located in the heart of the CBD, this pub is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and hearty Irish fare. With a great selection of beers and whiskeys, PJ O’Brien’s is the place to go for a taste of Ireland in Sydney. PJ’s truly comes alive Thursday through Saturday, when live music transforms this pub into one of the most boisterous spots in town.

8. Courty (The Courthouse Hotel)

The Courty offers a laid-back vibe and an unbelievably pleasant beer garden, making a stong case for one of the most relaxed spots in Sydney.

Affectionately known as the Courty, this Newtown institution is beloved for its chill energy and expansive beer garden. It’s the perfect place to unwind with friends over a few drinks and some pub grub – the Nachos are a Bardar team favourite. The Courty is also known for its dog-friendly policy, making it a hit with pet owners.

9. Darlo Bar

Darlo Bar is a colourful Darlinghurst pub with eclectic décor and a cozy rooftop terrace.

You will find Darlo Bar is an inner-city classic with an eccentric aesthetic and casual atmosphere making it a favourite among locals looking for a place to unwind. The rooftop terrace is a particularly top spot to enjoy a beverage or two while taking in the views of the city.

10. The Dolphin

The Dolphin blends a modern aesthetic with great food and well-made cocktails, offering a sophisticated pub experience in Surry Hills.

The recently renovated Dolphin in Surry Hills prides itself on its contemporary design and innovative menu. With multiple spaces, including a wine room and a dining area, The Dolphin offers a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. The food and drink options are all top-notch, making it a must-visit. We recommend snagging a seat in the balcony space and indulging in one of the Dolphin’s excellent espresso martinis.

11. The White Cockatoo Hotel

Another laid-back inner west staple, the White Cockatoo is a great spot to settle in for a night of tasty drinks and great chats with your pals.

Known for its friendly vibe, extensive craft beer selection and tasty tucker, The White Cockatoo Hotel in Petersham is an absolute gem. With spacious and comfortable seating both inside and in their lovely beer garden it’s a versatile spot that can be happily enjoyed year-round.

12. The Chippo

The Chippo is a haven for live music enthusiasts, offering a vibrant downstairs band room and a cozy upstairs pub.

If you want a pub with a strong focus on live music you’ll love the Chippo. The downstairs band room has seen many up-and-coming artists perform, and hosts both live bands and DJs. Upstairs, you’ll find a more traditional pub setting, perfect for a relaxing drink and a chat.

Sydney Pub Crawl Guides

The Crown St Crawl

The Crown St Crawl takes you on a journey through the many pumping pubs that line Surry Hills’ main drag.

Plan: Trinity → The Clock → Forrester’s → The Dolphin → The Beresford

The King St Crawl

The Newtown/Enmore strip of King St is one of Sydney’s densest pub hotspots and a solid selection for a relaxed evening with your pals.

Plan: The Newtown Hotel → Coopers → The Courty → The Vic

The Oxford St Crawl

Oxford St starts off pretty chill but gets livelier as you get closer to the city. There are many great afters spots like Carousel or Universal available at the end of this crawl.

Plan: Paddo Inn → Unicorn → Kinselas → Burdekin → ?

Outro

When it comes to Sydney’s pubs, there are a staggering variety of venues to sample and enjoy. We’ve provided a selection of our favourites, but there are so many other great spots around town! We highly recommend that you get out there and start exploring for yourself.

For a more comprehensive guide to Sydney’s pubs, check out the Bardar app, now on iOS. Get real-time data on how busy every pub in Sydney is, along with info about events, live music and what’s on.

Thanks for reading our guide to Sydney’s best pubs.

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