City Guidebook
Night Out
Amazing music and bar staff, the bar is tucked away down an alley, in a basement. Try the Apple & Whiskey - they juice a couple apples and splash in some whiskey - simple but delicious. Or try any of their amazing cocktail options. They've won Bar of the Year multiple times, and were named 3rd best bar in the world a few years back.
185 locals recommend
The Baxter Inn
156 Clarence StAmazing music and bar staff, the bar is tucked away down an alley, in a basement. Try the Apple & Whiskey - they juice a couple apples and splash in some whiskey - simple but delicious. Or try any of their amazing cocktail options. They've won Bar of the Year multiple times, and were named 3rd best bar in the world a few years back.
It is indeed a barber shop, feel free to stop in for a hair cut, but it's also a great bar. If you walk through the barber shop at the front to the back, up the stairs and slide open the door, you'll find the hidden bar. Great cocktails and has a back patio.
16 locals recommend
The Barber Shop
89 York StIt is indeed a barber shop, feel free to stop in for a hair cut, but it's also a great bar. If you walk through the barber shop at the front to the back, up the stairs and slide open the door, you'll find the hidden bar. Great cocktails and has a back patio.
Fondly known as SG Small Bar, they have a small rotating set of taps of great beers. They have board games and old school video games to enjoy your drinks over.
Spooning Goats
32 York StFondly known as SG Small Bar, they have a small rotating set of taps of great beers. They have board games and old school video games to enjoy your drinks over.
Good basement bar with big diner-like seating. You can order in a Mary's burger as a bonus.
62 locals recommend
Ramblin Rascal Tavern
60 Park StGood basement bar with big diner-like seating. You can order in a Mary's burger as a bonus.
Hidden gem of a bar - you do indeed have to knock to get in. They offer up truffle popcorn to munch while you enjoy a nice cocktail.
Door Knock
70 Pitt StHidden gem of a bar - you do indeed have to knock to get in. They offer up truffle popcorn to munch while you enjoy a nice cocktail.
American small bar, tucked into a closet. Head downstairs and you'll find curly fries, hot dogs, and a large array of delicious cocktails.
79 locals recommend
Stitch Bar
61 York StAmerican small bar, tucked into a closet. Head downstairs and you'll find curly fries, hot dogs, and a large array of delicious cocktails.
Loud live music most nights of the week, this place is always happening. Cheap slices of pizza, or order a whole pie, the front half of the place is a pizzeria, with big booths for seating. Walk to the back of the bar and you'll find the major beer taps and a stage. If you keep walking all the way to the back, and keep the stage on your left, there's a door. Open the door and head down the stairs, and open the only door left to you - teeny tiny bar with a single bartender - and much quieter if that's what you're after. Bonus, they feed through the pizza queue tracker, so you can watch for your number to be called when you're pizza's ready.
74 locals recommend
Frankie's Pizza
50 Hunter StLoud live music most nights of the week, this place is always happening. Cheap slices of pizza, or order a whole pie, the front half of the place is a pizzeria, with big booths for seating. Walk to the back of the bar and you'll find the major beer taps and a stage. If you keep walking all the way to the back, and keep the stage on your left, there's a door. Open the door and head down the stairs, and open the only door left to you - teeny tiny bar with a single bartender - and much quieter if that's what you're after. Bonus, they feed through the pizza queue tracker, so you can watch for your number to be called when you're pizza's ready.
Old Mates Place
199 Clarence StCheck out the rooftop bar - great for summer nights
Worth the climb for the rooftop bar - hidden on top of a rundown pub, the climb up to the 4th floor is brutal but 100% worth it.
Hotel Sweeney's
236 Clarence StreetWorth the climb for the rooftop bar - hidden on top of a rundown pub, the climb up to the 4th floor is brutal but 100% worth it.
Packed on a weekend, this is a great spot for a good time. Themed after American western style saloons, you can get pickle backs and boilermakers to get your evening started. Shelled peanuts are passed around by the basketful. Some nights there's live country/folk music and dancing.
168 locals recommend
Shady Pines Saloon
256 Crown StPacked on a weekend, this is a great spot for a good time. Themed after American western style saloons, you can get pickle backs and boilermakers to get your evening started. Shelled peanuts are passed around by the basketful. Some nights there's live country/folk music and dancing.
Food scene
If you've been out bar hopping, this is a great late-night dumpling and noodles option - cheap and cheerful.
8 locals recommend
Chinatown Noodle King
357 Sussex StIf you've been out bar hopping, this is a great late-night dumpling and noodles option - cheap and cheerful.
Delicious burgers and chips - locally famous and worth any wait you may face to get in. Try their milkshakes as well, and keep an eye on the specials board.
16 locals recommend
Bar Luca
52 Phillip StDelicious burgers and chips - locally famous and worth any wait you may face to get in. Try their milkshakes as well, and keep an eye on the specials board.
One of the oldest pubs in Sydney, great pub menu and house-made beers.
140 locals recommend
The Dolphin Hotel
412 Crown StreetOne of the oldest pubs in Sydney, great pub menu and house-made beers.
The only place in town you can get a Coat of Arms pizza, offering emu and kangaroo as the topping. Also has a large gigantic beer selection.
17 locals recommend
The Australian Heritage Hotel
100 Cumberland StThe only place in town you can get a Coat of Arms pizza, offering emu and kangaroo as the topping. Also has a large gigantic beer selection.
Grab a beer and some barbecue with a great view of the Opera House across the water. Also open for breakfast, if you're already sightseeing in the area. Live music on weekend nights.
8 locals recommend
The Squire's Landing
Circular Quay WestGrab a beer and some barbecue with a great view of the Opera House across the water. Also open for breakfast, if you're already sightseeing in the area. Live music on weekend nights.
If you find yourself in Surry Hills around brunch time, swing by this spot. A local staple for many years.
49 locals recommend
Four Ate Five
485 Crown StIf you find yourself in Surry Hills around brunch time, swing by this spot. A local staple for many years.
Porteño
50 Holt StAmazing Argentinian BBQ, and excellent drinks menu
Sightseeing
All your favourite Australian animals in one place - and with a fantastic view. Plan to spend the day here, which includes a glorious ferry across from Circular Quay.
613 locals recommend
Taronga Zoo Sydney
Bradleys Head RoadAll your favourite Australian animals in one place - and with a fantastic view. Plan to spend the day here, which includes a glorious ferry across from Circular Quay.
A trip to Sydney wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Opera House. Check out Time Out Sydney, or the box office at the opera house for available shows.
1998 locals recommend
Sydney Opera House
A trip to Sydney wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Opera House. Check out Time Out Sydney, or the box office at the opera house for available shows.
Beautiful winding walks available in the sprawling Royal Botanical Gardens. You'll easily stumble across gigantic Flying Foxes and flocks of cockatoos. Ibises abound (our locally nicknamed "Bin Chicken"). Great views of the opera house and harbour as well. Keep your eye out for the famous Australian spiders as well, usually with their large webs strung amongst the plants.
985 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Mrs Macquaries RoadBeautiful winding walks available in the sprawling Royal Botanical Gardens. You'll easily stumble across gigantic Flying Foxes and flocks of cockatoos. Ibises abound (our locally nicknamed "Bin Chicken"). Great views of the opera house and harbour as well. Keep your eye out for the famous Australian spiders as well, usually with their large webs strung amongst the plants.
Mostly known for its high end shopping, the QVB is worth a stroll through. There's a large clock if you go up to the top floor, that tolls on the hour. There's also a high-end tea room on the top floor if you're feeling like an afternoon high tea.
355 locals recommend
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Mostly known for its high end shopping, the QVB is worth a stroll through. There's a large clock if you go up to the top floor, that tolls on the hour. There's also a high-end tea room on the top floor if you're feeling like an afternoon high tea.