Looking for your next great night out? Now Book It have rounded up the best bars in Sydney to book right now, from rooftop hotspots and stylish cocktail lounges to neighbourhood favourites pouring exceptional drinks. Every venue featured in this guide has also been spotlighted by Urban List, making this a curated collection of some of the city’s most talked-about places to eat, drink and unwind.
Whether you’re planning after-work cocktails, a date night or a catch-up with friends, these are the Sydney bars worth booking a table at right now.
1. Cantina Bar
If your idea of a great night out involves margaritas, tacos and plenty of energy, Cantina Bar in Balmain deserves a spot on your list. This colourful Latin-Mex favourite brings big flavour and good times in equal measure, with a menu inspired by the street food cultures of Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Cuba.
Grab a round of margaritas, mojitos or imported tequilas and settle in with plates of tuna ceviche, duck carnitas tostadas and flavour-packed tacos designed for sharing. With its vibrant atmosphere, quirky fit-out and buzzing neighbourhood feel, Cantina Bar is the kind of place where one drink easily turns into a long, leisurely evening.
Location: 350 Darling Street, Balmain
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 4pm – late; Thursday to Sunday 11am – late
2. Small Bar
Tucked away in Crows Nest, Small Bar proves that great things really do come in small packages. This local favourite has built a loyal following thanks to its relaxed neighbourhood vibe, carefully curated wine list and menu of elevated share plates that punch well above their weight.
Whether you’re settling in with a glass of natural wine, working your way through the cocktail list or grazing on seasonal bites with friends, the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cosy and lively. Intimate without feeling cramped, Small Bar is the kind of place that turns a quick drink into an all-night affair, and exactly why it’s remained a Sydney go-to for years.
Location: 85 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 4pm – late; Thursday to Sunday 12pm – late
3. The Hive Bar
For a bar that effortlessly blends craft drinks, great food and laid-back local charm, The Hive Bar is a standout. Tucked away in Erskineville, this neighbourhood favourite has mastered the art of keeping things relaxed while still delivering a seriously impressive experience.
Expect a rotating lineup of craft beers, creative cocktails and a wine list designed for lingering over, alongside a menu of share plates that make staying for just one drink nearly impossible. With its welcoming atmosphere, cosy interiors and buzzing community feel, The Hive Bar is the kind of place you’ll find yourself returning to long after your first visit.
Location: 93 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 4pm – late; Friday 2pm – late;
Saturday to Sunday 12pm – late
4. Foxtrot
Hidden behind an unassuming doorway in Crows Nest, The Foxtrot is the kind of bar that rewards those in the know. Part cocktail den, part neighbourhood hangout, this long-standing favourite serves up seasonal cocktails, thoughtfully selected wines and share-friendly plates in a space packed with character. Grab a seat by the fireplace for a cosy winter drink, settle into the sunroom with friends or stick around as live music and DJs dial up the energy later in the evening.
With its welcoming atmosphere, ever-changing drinks list and knack for turning a casual catch-up into a memorable night out, The Foxtrot is proof that some of Sydney’s best bars are still hiding in plain sight.
Location: 28 Falcon St, Crows Nest
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 5pm – late
5. Vasco
A little slice of Goa in the heart of Sydney, Vasco Bar brings bold flavours, vibrant cocktails and plenty of personality to every visit. Inspired by the rich food and drinking culture of India’s west coast, this lively venue is anything but your average cocktail bar. Expect inventive drinks infused with Indian spices, colourful interiors and a menu packed with share-worthy plates that are just as memorable as the cocktails themselves.
Whether you’re diving into a feast with friends or dropping in for a few drinks, Vasco delivers the kind of energetic atmosphere that keeps the good times flowing long into the evening. If you’re looking to shake up your usual bar rotation, this is one booking worth making.
Location: 421 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
Hours: Wednesday to Friday 5pm – late; Saturday 12pm – late;
Sunday 5pm – late
6. Croydon Lane
Equal parts neighbourhood favourite and stylish cocktail destination, Croydon Lane Wine & Tapas Bar is proof that you don’t need to be in the CBD to find a standout Sydney bar. Nestled in Cronulla, this relaxed yet sophisticated venue serves up an impressive selection of wines, creative cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired tapas designed for sharing.
Think long lunches that roll into sunset drinks, grazing boards paired with a great drop, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps locals coming back. Whether you’re planning date night, drinks with friends or a special celebration, Croydon Lane delivers the kind of effortless hospitality that makes every visit feel like a good idea.
Location: 8/30 Kingsway, Cronulla
Hours: Thursday to Friday 4pm – late; Saturday to Sunday 12pm – late
7. Lokal Wine
Lokal is a natural wine bar that feels equal parts European neighbourhood haunt and Sydney local gem. Built around a deep love of low-intervention wines, the list is packed with skin-contact whites, chilled reds and interesting drops by the glass that change with the seasons.
The food keeps things just as relaxed but dialled-in, with coal-kissed small plates and share dishes designed to match whatever’s in your glass. Inside, it’s intimate without feeling precious—warm timber, a buzzing bar and just enough space to lean in for a proper catch-up. Whether you’re dropping in for a quick glass or settling in for the night, Lokal nails that easygoing, slightly buzzy energy that makes it one of Surry Hills’ most reliable wine bar bookings.
Location: 104 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 5pm – late; Saturday 12.30pm – late
8. UNCANNY
Right in the heart of Newtown on King Street, Uncanny is exactly the kind of bar that makes the Inner West nightlife so iconic. Brought to life by the Bouskila family, this small bar leans all the way into its big vibe energy, think retro charm, eclectic décor, hanging plants and a space that feels more like a lived-in lounge than a typical cocktail bar. The drinks list is where things really shine, with inventive signatures like the mezcal-driven Julio Richter or the floral, crisp Rogue Gimlet, alongside a “name it, we make it” approach that keeps things playful and personal.
Location: 349 King Street, Newtown
Hours: Monday to Friday 4pm – late; Saturday to Sunday 12pm – late
9. Donny's
Donny’s brings a hit of New York energy to Manly, right in the middle of Market Place. Spread across two levels, it’s all exposed brick, moody lighting and that effortless one drink turns into the whole night vibe, exactly why it earns a spot in this Best Bars to Book Now guide.
The menu leans into crowd-pleasing comfort food made for sharing between cocktails, from burgers and bites to heartier plates, while the bar keeps things moving with easy-drinking cocktails, wines and beers. Add in regular DJs and live music, and Donny’s nails that sweet spot between beachside hangout and late-night party spot.
Location: 7 Market Lane, Manly
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5pm – late; Friday 4pm – late; Saturday to Sunday 3pm – late