7 Best Hidden Bars in Sydney for Your Next Cocktail

One of Manly’s best secret bars is located beneath a Spanish-style deli. Enter this atmospheric bar through a vintage fridge door and discover the moody lighting and intimate nooks within. The cocktails here are quite creative with an impressive whisky selection available. It’s the perfect setting to escape the hustle and bustle above, or to impress your friends and significant other.

Within an unassuming CBD building is Old Mate’s Place. It’s a rooftop-meets-library-style bar with a warm, vintage vibe. Climb a few flights of stairs and be rewarded with greener, warm timber, and a stunning city outlook. The cocktail list presents some clever twists while the venue balances a cosy ambiance with open-air fun.

A rooftop escape at the State Library of NSW is The Library Bar. This venue offers some of the city’s most peaceful sunset views, surrounded by stunning architecture and the leafy treetops. Enjoy the sophistication of this bar, yet relax effortlessly. The Library Bar is the spot to have a cocktail with a slide of local culture. Not to mention the terrace lighting of historic architecture makes for an unmissable photo opportunity.

A well-kept secret of Sydney is Door Knock. This bar sits three levels below the CBD in a candle-lit space. An inviting hideaway where the cocktails are consistently delicious and the vibes are top notch. If you’re looking for a quiet catch-up spot or the perfect date-night bar, this hidden gem ticks all the right boxes.

An atmospheric whisky bar set inside of 170-year-old sandstone chambers is The Doss House. This bar is rich with history with plenty of arches, fireplaces and heritage stone to make it known. Step into another era with an extensive whisky list and intimate booth seating. We rate The Doss House as one of The Rocks best bars for storytelling and late-night conversations. If you’re a whisky lover or chasing an old-world experience, we recommend adding The Doss House to your list.

This bar is part barbershop, part gin bar. It’s a laneway venue that blends vintage styling with one of Australia’s largest gin collections. Offering over 7– gins to choose from, The Barbershop slings out sharp signature cocktails within a lively and character-filled atmosphere. Take a group or date for a gin tasting at this unique bar for something more unexpected in the CBD.

One of Sydney’s most iconic hidden bars is The Baxter Inn. It’s known for its towering shelves of whisky and bluesy soundtrack. This is the kind of place you walk into for one drink and end up staying for hours. An essential for whisky lovers and anyone into exploring classic Sydney speakeasies.