Whether it’s a whiskey in an underground prohibition-style bar, a celebratory glass of bubbles at a luxurious champagne bar, or a cold craft beer harbourside, when it comes to savouring a drink in Sydney one is truly spoilt for choice.

Though with so many bars scattered across the city the supposedly simple, straight-forward question of ‘where to drink’ suddenly can become incredibly overwhelming and the abundance of choice on offer can prove to be more of a curse than a blessing.

For all the other must-try foodie spots in Sydney beyond drinks:

CYREN | DARLING HARBOUR

Occupying an enviable waterfront location in Darling Harbour, Cyren has become a firm favourite of mine, that from memory I have visited every time I am in Sydney, without exception. It is not only Cyren’s location and stunning water and city views that keeps me (and many others) continuing to return time and time again, though its truly unbeatable happy hours deals, which is everyday from 3-6pm.

During this a selection of house wines, champagne, tap beers and ciders, and bottled beers can be purchased for just five dollars and a handful of cocktails for ten. Beyond drinks, salt and pepper calamari and all pizzas are available for $12 - the chilli prawn pizza unquestionably my favourite, though appears to have been adjusted to become a garlic prawn pizza, which I am yet to try out. Notably, these deals are only available in the designated bar area of the venue, not the restaurant, however, both offer the same view.

View Cyren’s menu.

2-10 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 7 Days 11.00am - 10.00pm (Thursday - Sunday open till 11.00pm)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

CHILLI PRAWN PIZZA King prawns and jalapeño chilli.

STRAWBERRY CAIPIROSKA Vodka, strawberry puree, lime and sugar.

CYREN SUNSET Angostura reserva rum, Malibu, pineapple juice and grenadine.

ANGOSTURA MOJITO Angostura reserva rum, lime, mint and sugar.

palmer & co. | CBD

Palmer & Co. is an underground prohibition-style bar situated in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and is owned and operated by Merivale, a hospitality group which owns an impressive collection - 80, to be exact - of some of the city’s best and most loved venues, definitely some of my all-time favourites. Owing to its location down a quiet alleyway and its nondescript entrance, all of which adds to its charm and reflects the prohibition era when booze was banned, yet free-flowing, Palmer & Co. can certainly easily be wandered past.

Though once you do discover it and head underneath the city’s streets you really will feel as if you’re been transported to another place and time completely, with exposed brick all around, curved ceilings, old-fashioned tiles on the floor, black and white photographs lining the walls, and details everywhere that hark back to yesteryear. Beyond the space itself, regular sets of live music further set the mood of refined debauchery along with the bar’s drinks list, which focuses on cocktails and spirits.

View Palmer & Co.’s menu.

Abercrombie Ln, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 7 Days 5.00pm - 3.30am (Thursday & Friday opens at 3.00pm, Saturday opens at 4.00pm, & Monday closes at 3.00am)

shell house sky bar | cbd

The Sky Bar is just one of four distinct spaces at the newly-opened Shell House in Sydney’s CBD. Centred around the grand 400-tonne heritage Shell House Clocktower, the Sky Bar is a glamorous hangout to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink. Partly open-air, patrons can choose to sit alfresco beneath the clocktower, pull up one of the many stools which surrounds the bar, or by the floor to ceiling glass windows which offer panoramic views of the city skyline.

View Shell House Sky Bar’s menu.

37 Margaret St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 4 Days Wednesday - Saturday 2.00pm - Late (Wednesday opens at 4.00pm)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

10TH FLOOR FIZZ Whey gin, native peach, apricot, yuzu, amaro, rosé, fresh lemon, soda.

champagne bar | darling harbour

Take the elevator to the third floor of the luxurious Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and you’ll find Sydney’s dedicated Champagne bar, simply and aptly named Champagne Bar; the perfect place to enjoy a couple of glasses of bubbles whilst admiring stunning, panoramic harbour and city views. Offering an extensive collection of some of the finest French Champagne produced in the world, choosing which type to enjoy can be quite intimidating and difficult.

If unlike myself, you’re visiting and really looking to go all out, may I suggest the 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal Jeroboam; encased in gold, the bottle is #291 of only 400 made and is the bar’s most exclusive, and valued at a cool $22,000, the most expensive pour. Otherwise, if that price makes your eyes water too, though looking for an experience to remember, maybe you can settle for a bottle a little cheaper and have your Champagne opened by a sabre in the French art of Sabrage (available for an additional $25 or on the house for Champagnes over $299), where your bottle is opened using a sword.

Notably, Champagne Bar does also offer a surprisingly sizeable selection of wines, beers, ciders, spirits, and cocktails. Plus, to go with your bubbles or whatever drink you choose, there is a range of light bar-style snacks to choose from also, such as charcuterie, olives, oysters, sliders, caviar, squid, and an array of French and Australian farmhouse cheeses.

View Champagne Bar’s menu.

12 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 7 Days 5.00pm - 10.00pm (Friday & Saturday opens at 3.00pm till Midnight)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

GLASS OF VEUVE CLICQUOT BRUT NV with complimentary peanuts.

eileen’s bar - Four Pillars Laboratory | Surry Hills

If you’re a fan of gin, you are sure to love Eileen’s Bar by the internationally award-winning Australian gin producer, Four Pillars. The bar, tucked away behind a nondescript entrance on Surry Hill’s Crown Street, is a dark and moody, intimate space which centres around a bar stocked full of Four Pillars’ wide range of gins. Plus, not only can sip on your favourite Four Pillars gin, but wander downstairs to the Gin Shop and can purchase all of Four Pillars gins to enjoy at home too.

View Eileen’s Bar’s menu.

406 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Open 5 Days Wednesday - Sunday 5.00pm - Late (Saturday & Sundays opens at 3.00pm)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

GIN TASTING PADDLE

TANLINES Modern Australian Gin, coconut whey, pineapple, lime leaf.

dean & nany on 22 | cbd

Atop the luxurious A by Adina in Sydney’s city centre you’ll find the ultra-sleek Dean & Nancy on 22. Take the elevator to the hotel’s Sky Lobby on level 21 and ascend the curved brass staircase for a sophisticated rooftop cocktail bar in the clouds, complete with intimate black booths, waiters in red velvet tuxedos and playful cocktails. The inspiration behind Maybe Sammy’s - a renowned, multi-award-winning cocktail bar in The Rocks - glamorous black and gold sister venue is classic hotel bars of golden eras past; where timeless service combines with mid-century detail – all framed by the stunning Sydney skyline.

View Dean & Nancy’s menu.

2 Hunter St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 4 Days Wednesday - Saturday 4.30pm - Late

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

LOOKOUT IN THE BLACKOUT Plymouth gin, fino sherry, carrot shrub, peach, bitters, Aperol.

ivy pool club | cbd

Inspired by the idyllic Italian coastline, the Ivy Pool Club is a rooftop oasis set amongst the skyscrapers of Sydney and is a part of the Ivy Precinct, an inner-city hub housing a range of venues - bars, restaurants, nightclubs, event spaces, and various retailers - owned and operated by the renowned Merivale group. The Ivy Pool Club is a very versatile space, so the time of day you decide to visit will depend on what you’re looking for and what ‘vibe’ you’ll get. For instance, you can come during the day to relax with a few cocktails, maybe have a pizza alfresco, or rather come on the weekend, when the sun has well and truly set and local and international DJs set the tone, to party into the wee hours of the morning.

View Ivy Pool Club’s menu.

320 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 7 Days Thursday - Sunday 5.00pm - 3.00am (Friday & Saturday opens at Midday & 8.00pm respectively, & Sunday opens at 1.00pm till 1.00am)

OPERA BAR | CIRCULAR QUAY

With breathtaking, completely unobstructed views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, drinking spots simply do not get any better the Opera Bar. Revered as Australia’s most iconic bar, Opera Bar is a massive venue spread out along the harbour in Sydney’s Circular Quay near the Opera Hour. With the vast majority of tables outside, Opera Bar is perfect for basking in the glorious Sydney sun (particularly in the winter), enjoying delicious bistro-style food and cocktails, and admiring one of the best views in the world.

View Opera Bar’s menus.

Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 7 Days 11.30am - 11.00pm (Saturday & Sunday open till 12.30am)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

HOT SEAFOOD PLATTER Beer battered fish, calamari, grilled prawns, scallops and chips.

FISH & CHIPS

FROZEN STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI

FROZEN PINA COLADA

henry deane | the rocks

Hands down one of the best (and few, actually), true rooftop bars in Sydney is Henry Deane, spread across levels four and five of Hotel Palisade in The Rocks. If you can, definitely try your luck at securing one of the highly-prized seats out on the very small fifth-floor balcony, as if you do you’ll be treated to a truly breathtaking, uninterrupted view of Sydney, and in particular the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Though, as mentioned, seating is limited, not just on the balcony, and it doesn’t help that the bar is hardly a well-kept secret, often a very popular and subsequently busy spot for after-work drinks. Therefore, your best bet is to visit on a weekday earlier in the day, close to when it opens, otherwise, if you’re in the area I would say it’s still worth checking out - you never know your luck after all! Plus, although considered to be a ‘contemporary cocktail lounge’, Henry Deane, beyond cocktails and drinks, serves both lunch and dinner, with all dishes designed to be shared and to compliment the surrounding harbour.

View Henry Deane’s menu.

35 Bettington St, Millers Point NSW 2000

Open 7 Days Midday - Midnight (Sunday closes at 10.00pm)

beach club at watsons bay boutique hotel | watsons bay

No trip to Sydney is truly complete without a ferry ride to Watsons Bay and drink and bite to eat at the Beach Club at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Situated metres from where the ferries arrive and depart, making it impossible to miss, the Beach Club is a firm favourite among both locals and tourists alike. Inspired by yacht clubs and Europe’s carefree Costas, this beachside playground will make you feel like its summer no matter the season - the dreamy water backdrop and epic sunsets help too. Plus, voted Sydney’s most Instagrammable venue the Beach Club is a stunner too. Truly an all-day eatery, the Beach Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. So, whether it’s a hearty breakfast to begin the day, a lazy lunch that flows into afternoon cocktails, or drinks and snacks after dusk, the Beach Club is the place. Whenever you visit, you can enjoy your meal beneath a bright umbrella at a picnic table, or up on the balcony with lofty bay views.

View Beach Club’s lunch & dinner menu and breakfast menu.

1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay NSW 2030

Open 7 Days 7.00am - 9.00pm (Saturday & Sunday open till 10.00pm)

zephyr | darling harbour

If you’re looking to enjoy your drink at altitude with impressive panoramic waterfront views, then Zephyr, a luxury sky bar perched high on the 12th floor of the Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour is likely to be right up your alley. Offering a nautical-inspired setting, the rooftop cocktail bar is a massive open space looking out across Darling Harbour. For the best seat in the house try and secure one of the bar stools along the front to properly admire the view. When I visited I enjoyed one of their signature in-house cocktail creations, which was just alright, and was definitely on the pricey side at $24, like everything on the menu - so do expect that. Also, a word of warning, due to its location and lack of any real shade the vast majority of the bar is often in full sun for most of the day, which I have found can make seating at the bar uncomfortably hot, particularly in summer months. Though, arrive when the sun is setting or at night, on Fridays and weekends particularly, be prepared to wait, as I have too once ridden the elevator up only to be greeted by a very long line-up.

View Zephyr’s food menu and drinks menu.

161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 6 Days Tuesday - Sunday 4.00pm - Midnight (Friday - Sunday opens at Midday)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

SUNSET PUNCH Vanilla infused Zephyr tailored Brix gold rum, Campari, grapefruit juice, guava juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, fassionola syrup, grapefruit bitters.

icebergs bistro | bondi

If you’re looking for a drink with an incredible, panoramic view, look no further than Icebergs Bistro in Bondi which overlooks the iconic Bondi Beach and historic Icebergs pool. The bistro offers both indoor and outdoor dining, though undoubtedly the prized tables spread along the open-air balcony is where you want to be, all of which are available for walk-ins only. Beyond drinks, the relaxed ocean-front spot also offers a seafood-focused all-day menu, which considering its location is surprisingly affordable.

View Icebergs Bistro’s menu.

1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach NSW 2026

Open 7 Days 11.00am - 9.00pm (Wednesday - Saturday open till 10.00pm)

slims rooftop | darlinghurst

With Hyde Park and Sydney’s CBD as a backdrop, Slims Rooftop, situated on the third (and top) floor of Hyde Park House, exists as the perfect spot to enjoy a few drinks with friends in the sun. Once you finally reach the top - word of warning, there is no lift access, so do be prepared for quite a few flights of stairs - you'll likely notice, not only the stunning uninterrupted park and city views but the use of the colour pink throughout and the retro vibes. Quite a small space, the rooftop can get quite busy, like most places as the week goes on, so it is recommended to visit earlier on in the week or day to avoid it being overcrowded. Also, to accompany your drinks, Slims Rooftop serves a variety of small, modern Asian fusion dishes and snacks to share.

View Slims Rooftop’s menu.

47-49 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Open 7 Days 10.00am - 3.00am (Sunday closes at 10.00pm)

ESTABLISHMENT bar | CBD

Yet another Merivale owned and operated Sydney venue, Establishment Bar is a Sydney icon and a particular favourite among white-collar city workers for after-work drinks. This can be attributed to its prime location on George Street in heart of Sydney’s CBD and its reasonably priced drinks during happy hour - weekdays from 5-7pm - where selects pints of beers, house wines and house spirits are just $7, and espresso martinis on tap are $15. Though rest assured you don’t have to be in finance to have a drink here (or make the most of happy hour), fortunately. With high ceilings, magnificent palatial columns lining the walls, an incredible 42-metre-long marble bar as its centrepiece with sculptural pendant lighting overhead, and intricate detailing throughout; it is little wonder Establishment Bar is often referred to as the grand dame of Sydney bars. An elegant space that exudes style and sophistication, Establishment Bar unquestionably makes for a unique place to enjoy a drink.

View Establishment Bar’s menu.

252 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Open 6 Days Monday - Saturday 7.00am - Midnight (Friday & Saturday opens at 3.00pm till 3.00am)

The northern beaches

THE NEWPORT | newport

A Northern Beaches go-to for decades, The Newport (also owned and operated by the Merivale group) is positioned right on the waterfront, offering stunning Pittwater views. With an alfresco marketplace feel, comprised of a variety of food outlets and experiential areas (each with their own unique style and personality) connected via huge communal deck surrounded by gardens, The Newport really does offer something for everyone. When I visited I was blown away just by the sheer size of the place as I walked and walked around the place, which seemingly never ended. To give you an idea of just how large the space there is a map at the entry, similar to the one you’d find at an amusement park, highlighting all the various individual spaces. Some of those spaces include Vinnie’s Pizza, where you can enjoy Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, The Seafood Market, ideal for some freshly shucked oysters or prawns, the Kiosk Café, which offers simple breakfasts, fresh-baked bakery delights, and coffee, and the Shack, where you can take your pick from a range of mouth-watering burgers, fish and chips, salt and pepper calamari, as well as seasonal salads and grilled options. So, whatever you’re after you’re guaranteed to find it at The Newport.

The Newport is easily accessible and reached if traveling from Sydney on public transport, namely via bus, with the total journey taking just under an hour.

View The Newport’s menu.

2 Kalinya St, Newport NSW 2106

Open 7 Days 9.30am - 10.00pm (Thursday - Saturday open till Midnight, & Sunday till 11.00pm, & Saturday & Sunday opens at 9:00am)

The Terrace at JONAH’S | whale beach

If you’ve got the car with you, I highly recommend finishing the day with a sunset drink out on the spectacular outdoor terrace at the ultra-exclusive and ultra-luxe Jonah’s Boutique Hotel, which is perched on the cliffs of Whale Beach overlooking the Tasman Sea. Jonah’s Boutique Hotel is renowned for its luxury, privacy, and comfort and over its 90-year history has hosted an impressive number of celebrities from entertainment, politics, business, and royalty, including, but certainly not limited to, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Joan Collins, Elle Macpherson, Mick Jagger, Bono, Justin Bieber, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sam Smith. So, whilst staying overnight in one of the eleven stunning Ocean Retreat Rooms at the property is definitely high on my bucket list until I can afford the rather hefty nightly rate (approx. $800) - or even a meal at the restaurant - settling for a drink on the terrace, which features the same breathtaking views is fine by me in the meantime.

View The Terrace’s menu.

69 Bynya Rd, Palm Beach NSW 2108

Open 7 Days 7.30am - 10.00pm

the Collaroy | collaroy

Yep you guessed it, The Collaroy is another Merivale owned and operated venue, so you know it’s going to be good, particularly as its very similar to the fit-out, layout, and overall vibe of Merivale’s Coogee Pavilion - think industrial-style, with exposed brick and ceilings. Set right on the beachfront, The Collaroy is a laidback, relaxed and casual all-day eatery that invites patrons to wander into straight from the sand. The Collaroy is spread over two levels, with downstairs catering to those looking for a coffee and a healthy green bowl, and upstairs for those looking for an afternoon drink and something a little more substantial. When it comes to food, there is plenty to choose from – whether it’s a slice from Vinnie’s Pizza or a selection of delicious snacks to enjoy with wine in hand.

Located only a half an hour drive (or bus ride) away from Sydney’s CBD, The Collaroy is perfect if you’re not looking to go too far but still want to visit the Northern Beaches and escape the city. Plus, it is easily accessible and reached via bus.

View The Collaroy’s menu.

1064 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy NSW 2097

Open 7 Days 7.30am - 10.00pm (Friday & Saturday open till 1.00am, & Sunday till 9.00pm)