Photo: Maybe SammyMaybe Sammy
Award-winning cocktail bar
Glamorous, theatrical and consistently ranked among the world's best bars.
- Best for
- Cocktail lovers
- Where
- The Rocks
- Price guide
- $$$
Where to drink in Sydney
The best bars in Sydney
World-class cocktails, rooftops with Opera House views and basement bars you'll walk past twice before finding. These are the best bars in Sydney.
The short answer
The best bars in Sydney are Maybe Sammy for cocktails, Opera Bar for views, The Baxter Inn for whisky in a hidden basement, and the rooftops at Hotel Palisade and The Glenmore for sunsets.
| # | Pick | Why it's here | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Maybe Sammy | Best cocktails | The Rocks |
| 02 | Opera Bar | Best view | Bennelong Point |
| 03 | The Baxter Inn | Best hidden bar | Sydney CBD |
| 04 | Hotel Palisade | Best rooftop | Millers Point |
| 05 | The Glenmore | Best pub rooftop | The Rocks |
| 06 | Old Mate's Place | Best laneway rooftop | Sydney CBD |
| 07 | Bar Totti's | Best for aperitivo | Sydney CBD |
| 08 | [PLACEHOLDER] Best wine bar | Placeholder | Surry Hills |
Photo: Maybe Sammy
Photo: Opera BarOpera Bar
Harbourside, under the Opera House
Sit on the water's edge with the Harbour Bridge in front and the Opera House behind. Live music most nights.
- Best for
- Visitors, sunsets
- Where
- Bennelong Point
- Price guide
- $$
Photo: The Baxter InnThe Baxter Inn
Hidden basement whisky bar
Down a laneway and a flight of stairs, with one of the biggest whisky walls in the country.
- Best for
- Whisky fans
- Where
- Sydney CBD
- Price guide
- $$
Photo: Hotel PalisadeHotel Palisade
Heritage pub with rooftop
A heritage hotel in Millers Point with a rooftop bar overlooking the harbour.
- Best for
- Sunset drinks
- Where
- Millers Point
- Price guide
- $$
Photo: The GlenmoreThe Glenmore
Rooftop pub in The Rocks
A classic Rocks pub with an unpretentious rooftop and Opera House views.
- Best for
- Casual catch-ups
- Where
- The Rocks
- Price guide
- $
Photo: Old Mate's PlaceOld Mate's Place
Rooftop garden bar
Climb the stairs to a leafy, hidden rooftop bar with excellent cocktails.
- Best for
- Date night
- Where
- Sydney CBD
- Price guide
- $$
Photo: Bar Totti'sBar Totti's
Italian aperitivo bar
Spritzes, antipasti and wood-fired bread at Merivale's buzzing George Street bar in the ivy precinct.
- Best for
- After-work drinks
- Where
- Sydney CBD
- Price guide
- $$
Wine bar shelves with natural wine bottles
[PLACEHOLDER] Best wine bar
Natural & local wine
Placeholder listing. Add a top wine bar (Surry Hills, Potts Point or Newtown) to capture 'best wine bars Sydney' searches.
- Best for
- Wine lovers
- Where
- Surry Hills
- Price guide
- $$
Listings are a starting shortlist — opening hours, prices and menus change, so always check the venue's own site before you go. Listings were fact-checked against official sources in October 2026.
Frequently asked questionsThings you might ask
What is the best bar in Sydney?
Maybe Sammy in The Rocks is consistently ranked among the world's best cocktail bars, while Opera Bar offers Sydney's most famous view.
What are the best rooftop bars in Sydney?
Hotel Palisade, The Glenmore and Old Mate's Place are standout rooftops, with harbour or Opera House views and great sunset drinks.
Where are Sydney's hidden bars?
The CBD's laneways hide many of Sydney's best small bars, including The Baxter Inn, tucked down a basement stairwell.
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