The best cocktail bars in Sydney in 2026 are Maybe Sammy in The Rocks, one of the world's most-awarded bars; The Baxter Inn for whisky; Eau de Vie's speakeasy off Wynyard Lane; The Doss House and the tiny Tailor Room in The Rocks; Bar Bridge for martinis; and Cantina OK! for mezcal.
Sydney's best cocktail bars hide in basements and laneways in the CBD and The Rocks, many without obvious signs. Arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights or expect a queue; small bars rarely take bookings for small groups. Bring ID. For drinks with a view, see our best rooftop bars in Sydney.
One of the world's most-awarded cocktail bars.
Maybe Sammy is a glamorous bar with 1950s Hollywood styling and playful, technically excellent cocktails, regularly ranked among the World's 50 Best Bars.
Service is warm and theatrical; it's the place to start a big night.
Good to know: Arrive early; it fills fast on weekends.
115 Harrington St, The Rocks NSW 2000
A basement whisky bar with a wall of bottles.
The Baxter Inn is a hidden basement bar off Clarence Street with a huge back bar of whisky, classic cocktails and a buzzy, saloon-like atmosphere.
Find it down a laneway and look for the queue.
Good to know: Ask the bartenders to pick a whisky for you.
Basement, 152-156 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
A speakeasy with a theatrical cocktail list, entered via Wynyard Lane.
Eau de Vie is a dark, intimate speakeasy in a basement below George Street, entered via Wynyard Lane, known for its theatrical cocktails and whisky room.
It's ideal for a date or a nightcap.
Good to know: Book ahead for weekend evenings.
Basement, 285 George St (enter via Wynyard Lane), Sydney NSW 2000
A heritage underground whisky bar with live music.
The Doss House is an underground bar in a heritage building in The Rocks, with a series of rooms, more than 150 whiskies and live music on some nights.
The courtyard is a nice spot on warm nights.
Good to know: Explore the different rooms; each has its own feel.
Basement, 77-79 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
A tiny, intimate bar with made-to-measure cocktails.
Tailor Room is a very small cocktail bar in the historic Argyle Stores in The Rocks, themed around tailoring, with bespoke drinks made to suit the moment.
With only a few seats, it feels like a private room.
Good to know: Go early in the evening to get a seat.
Argyle Stores, 16b Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000
A low-lit, European-style martini bar.
Bar Bridge is a martini-focused bar downstairs on Bridge Street, low-lit with a European feel, open late.
It's a smart spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink near Circular Quay.
Good to know: Order a martini made to your taste.
Downstairs, 6 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000
A tiny laneway mezcal bar with room for two bartenders.
Cantina OK! is a minuscule mezcal and agave bar in Council Place, a laneway off George Street, with standing room only and some of the best margaritas in town.
It's tiny, so expect to squeeze in.
Good to know: Ask for a mezcal flight if you're new to agave spirits.
Council Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Inventive, technique-driven cocktails with unusual ingredients.
PS40 is a CBD bar known for creative cocktails that use unusual ingredients and techniques, and for its house-made sodas.
It's a favourite with bartenders on their nights off.
Good to know: Try the house sodas, mixed into a cocktail or on their own.
40 King St, Sydney NSW 2000
Maybe Sammy in The Rocks, which has ranked among the World's 50 Best Bars, is the most decorated. The Baxter Inn and Eau de Vie are other long-standing favourites.
Most small bars run on walk-ins. Some, like Maybe Sammy and Eau de Vie, take limited bookings; arrive early on weekends either way.
The CBD (around Clarence, George and Bridge streets) and The Rocks have the highest concentration, with more in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Newtown.
The CBD lockout laws were lifted in 2020 and 2021, and venues can trade late again; check each bar's hours, as many close around midnight to 2am.
Eau de Vie (enter via Wynyard Lane), The Doss House (in a basement in The Rocks) and The Baxter Inn (down a laneway off Clarence Street) all have a hidden, speakeasy feel.