Cover image credit: Since I Left You
Tucked between the high rises and hustle of Sydney’s CBD lies a hidden nightlife playground of YCK Laneways. This vibrant 24-hour precinct, stretching from York to Clarence to Kent Street, is packed with quirky small bars, creative cocktails, and electric energy that make it perfect for the ultimate bar crawl.
Whether you’re a seasoned local or just visiting, Now Book It has done the hard work for you, mapping your route through the laneways along with the inside scoop on what to expect at each hot spot.
Venue are listed in no particular order.
The Route For Something Special
Stitch Bar
Start with a roll into Stitch Bar, the underground vintage diner that’s basically a love letter to all things American – including burgers so juicy they might just steal the show. Sink your teeth into their legendary cheeseburger, piled high with melty cheese and all the fixings, while nursing a smoky bourbon cocktail that packs a punch. With neon lights, and a vibe so cool you’ll want to pull up a booth and never leave, Stitch Bar is the perfect stop to fuel up and shake off those bar crawl jitters.
Location: 61 York St
Hours: Monday to Thursday 4pm – 12am; Friday to Saturday 4pm – 2am
PS40
Known for shaking up the classics with creative twists and house made sodas, PS40 takes your average drink and flips it on its head. Think Negronis with unexpected botanicals, fizzy creations that feel like science experiments gone deliciously right, and presentations that are as cool as the cocktails themselves.
Location: 40 King St
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 5pm – 12am
The Barbershop
Don’t be fooled by the clippers out front, behind the façade of an old-school barbershop lies The Barber Shop, a slick speakeasy slinging some of Sydney’s finest gin cocktails. With charming old world decor, vintage barber chairs, and a back bar stacked with over 700 gins, this hidden gem is equal parts stylish and spirited. From classic martinis to wildly inventive G&T twists, it’s the perfect stop to sit back, sip something botanical, and enjoy a little throwback flair.
Location: 89 York St
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 4pm – late
Kabul Social
Kabul Social is a standout stop on your bar crawl, not just for the food, but for the heart behind it. Run by an inspiring team of Afghan women who came to Sydney as refugees, this soulful spot brings the rich flavours, smells, and hospitality of Kabul right into the CBD. Expect fluffy flatbreads, spiced dumplings, and vibrant chutneys that pair surprisingly well with your cocktail from the last bar. It’s not just a meal, it’s a story, a culture, and a deliciously meaningful pause on your night out.
Location: Shop J15, 60 Margaret St
Hours: Monday to Friday 11am – 2.30pm
Duke of Clarence
Step through the door and straight into 18th century London at The Duke of Clarence, where rich wood panelling, cask ales, and cheeky British charm are in full supply. This isn’t just a bar, it’s a time travelling tavern dedicated to expertly crafted cocktails, frothy pints, and classic UK comfort food. Plus, it’s our top spot for watching a game with good company.
Location: Laneway, 152/156 Clarence St
Hours: Monday to Sunday 11.30am – late
The Route For A Sip of Culture
Kasippu
Tucked inside a charming heritage listed spot on Kent Street, Kasippu brings the vibrant flavours of southern Sri Lanka to the heart of the city. This casual eatery serves up spicy, soulful dishes that’ll have your taste buds dancing, alongside cocktails that pack a punch and keep the party going. With live music setting the soundtrack, Kasippu is the kind of place where good food, great drinks, and lively vibes come together for one unforgettable laneway stop.
Location: 414 Kent St
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 4pm – late
Uncle Ming's Bar
Uncle Ming’s Bar is your moody, mysterious stop, tucked away in a dimly lit basement where the dumplings are hot, the cocktails are cool, and the sake flows freely. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by funky Chinese decor, low lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that feels like a secret you’re lucky to be in on. One visit and you’ll see why this spot’s a cult favourite on the YCK crawl.
Location: Lower Ground, 55 York St
Hours: Monday 4pm – late; Tuesday to Friday 12pm – late; Saturday 4pm – late
Kahii
Right in the heart of the YCK Laneways, Kahii offers a calm oasis to recharge with delicate Japanese teas and light bites when the sun’s still up. But come nightfall, this spot flips into a sultry wine bar, serving up sophisticated sips. It’s the ideal place to catch your breath, reset your senses, and get ready to dive back into the laneway buzz.
Location: Lobby, 364 Kent St
Hours: Monday 8am – 3pm; Tuesday to Friday 8am – 3pm & 5pm – late; Saturday 5pm – late
Lucille
Turn up the soul at Lucille’s, a Memphis inspired bar that’s all about blues, booze, and big energy. This isn’t just your next drink stop, it’s a full blown mood, with guitars on the walls & rock n roll on the speakers. Grab a whiskey, settle in with some Southern style bites, and let the rhythm carry you into the night.
Location: 44 King St
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 5pm – late
Esteban
Esteban is your moody, romantic escape into the world of modern Mexican cuisine, complete with a sultry setting, bold flavours, and a tasting menu that’s built to impress. From house made tortillas to slow cooked meats, every bite is a love letter to Mexico. Pair it all with a smoky mezcal cocktail or a tequila creation that’ll have you rethinking everything you know about margaritas.
Location: 1 Temperance Ln
Hours: Monday 5pm – 11pm; Tuesday to Wednesday 12pm – 11pm;
Thursday to Saturday 12pm – 12am; Sunday 12pm – 11pm
The Route For the Art of Small Bars
Since I Left You
Since I Left You feels like stumbling into your coolest friend’s backyard party, if your friend had a killer cocktail list, next level snacks, and a stage that hosts both local legends and international talent. This friendly neighbourhood small bar is all about good vibes and great music, with a rotating lineup of live acts that keep the energy high and the dance floor moving.
Location: 338 Kent St
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 4.30pm – late; Saturday 6pm – late
Vina Bar
Tucked away in a secret little corner of the city, Vinabar is the kind of hidden micro bar you almost don’t want to share. This Vietnamese inspired gem serves up truly one of a kind cocktails, expertly crafted with bold flavours, fragrant ingredients, and a whole lot of care. It’s the perfect detour for something a little unexpected and seriously memorable.
Location: 333 Kent St
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 5pm – late
Jolene's
Saddle up, because Jolene’s is bringing a taste of Nashville straight to YCK! Sink your teeth into crispy fried chicken, spicy pickles, or gooey mac n cheese while sipping on a smoky Old Fashioned or a punchy bourbon sour. Live country and rock n roll acts keep the energy high and the boots tapping, making it an unmissable stop for great beats on your crawl.
Location: 73 York St
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 4pm – late
The Route On the Peckish Path
Next Door CBD
By now, you’ve earned a pit stop that’s heavy on carbs and big on flavour. Next Door CBD is a cozy pizza and pasta bar dishing up the soul of Rome right in the heart of Sydney. This is the kind of place where the dough is stretched by hand, the pasta is perfectly al dente, and the wine flows like you’ve just stumbled into a family run trattoria.
Location: 60 – 65 Clarence St
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 12pm – 10.30pm; Saturday 5pm – 10.30pm
Cash Only Diner
Get ready to level up your bar crawl at Cash Only Diner, where upscale Vietnamese eats meet slick modern service and classic cocktails done right. This isn’t your average pho spot, think vibrant, bold flavours packed into dishes that look as good as they taste, all served with a side of seriously stylish vibes. Cash Only Diner knows how to bring the heat and the hospitality.
Location: 1 Barrack St
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 12pm – 10pm; Saturday 11am – 10pm; Sunday 11am – 4pm
Santa Catarina
Discover the bold, smoky spirit of Oaxaca at Santa Catarina, a high end restaurant where ancestral recipes meet modern flair. Feast on authentic dishes crafted with love and tradition, perfectly paired with artisanal mezcals that tell a story with every sip. This isn’t just dinner, it’s a celebration of heritage, fire roasted flavours, and mezcal mastery served up in style.
Location: 156 Clarence St
Hours: Monday 5pm – late; Tuesday to Saturday 12pm – late
The Roast Republic
When the YCK crawl calls for big flavours and even bigger pours, Roast Republic delivers in spades. Experience some finger licking goodness at this go to steak house and expect smoky ribs falling off the bone, juicy brisket, and all the whiskey, wine, and draft beer you need to wash it down.
Location: 174 Clarence St
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12pm – 4pm & 5pm – 9pm
Bar Conte
Bar Conte is Sydney’s Italian hideaway where the pasta is delicious, the vibes are cozy, and the Negroni game is next level. With over 30 unique Negroni variations on the menu, this is the spot for anyone who loves a classic cocktail with a twist. Whether you prefer your Negroni spicy, sweet, or seriously bitter, Bar Conte’s got you covered.
Location: Barrack Pl, 151 Clarence St
Hours: Monday to Friday 12pm – late; Saturday 4pm – late
The Route For Hidden Haunts
Kuro Bar & Dining
At Kuro Bar & Dining, expect a delicious fusion journey that marries refined Japanese techniques with the best of Australian produce and native ingredients. This hatted gem serves up dishes that surprise and delight, like wagyu with bush pepper or delicate sashimi paired with native finger limes.
Location: 386 Kent St
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm to 1.45pm & 6pm – 9.30pm;
Friday to Saturday 12pm – 1.45pm & 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Now & Then
After a night of laneway adventures, Now & Then is the cosy basement retreat where you can finally kick back and soak it all in. With luxe cocktails, a carefully curated wine list, and delicious snacks to nibble on, this intimate hideaway is the ultimate spot to wind down your crawl in style.
Location: Lower Ground, 222 Clarence St
Hours: Monday to Saturday 4pm – late
Burrow Bar
When the crawl calls for something low key but lively, Burrow Bar is your go to underground hangout. This laid back spot mixes a speakeasy vibe with quirky craft cocktails and a solid lineup of beers that’ll keep your spirits high. Grab a few share plates to keep the munchies at bay, settle into the comfy corners, and let the easy going atmosphere do its thing.
Location: Basement, 96 Clarence St
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 4pm – Midnight
Papa Gede's
Welcome to a world of voodoo cocktails and tropical twists at Papa Gede’s, an intimate tiki bar that serves up drinks packed with house made ingredients and a splash of rum powered magic. Classic cocktails get a playful makeover, and absinthe lovers get their fix with some seriously wicked pours. With flickering candlelight and quirky decor, this hidden gem casts a spell that turns every sip into a story worth sharing.
Location: Basement, 307 Clarence St
Hours: Monday to Friday 4pm – late; Saturday 5pm – late
Little National Hotel
Head to Little National Hotel, where you can enjoy a chic rooftop bar with seriously stunning views of the city skyline. The rooftop is the perfect spot for sipping something classy while soaking up that golden hour glow. It’s the ultimate place to reset, refresh, and feel a little bit fancy before heading back into the laneway buzz.
Location: 26 Clarence St
Hours: Monday to Sunday 7am – late
