If you’re an adult human, you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with how vital a date’s venue and atmosphere is. Luckily for us loved up Sydnesiders, there are plenty a romantic bars to choose from in this fair city of ours, and we’ve done the hard part for you and dwindled the list down to our 12 Best Bars in Sydney for Date Night (you’re welcome).
1) Green Moustache
Ever fancied a tipple in a rooftop greenhouse? You’re in luck - Green Moustache is giving locals a reason to venture out to North Sydney for date night. The rooftop is the first of the north’s kind; head here for a vino in the sky and impressive menu (think all Australian with an Asian influenced twist) all the whilst being engulfed in a canopy of greenery.
2) Big Poppa’s
For a non traditional spin on the typical Italian night out, head to Big Poppa’s. The minimalist (think all black and white features) upstairs restaurant at this Darlinghurst institution serves up countless cheesy Italian dishes, while its groovy, dimly lit downstairs counterpart acts as romantic -yet effortlessly cool- cocktail bar.
Cheesy salmonella gnocchi upstairs followed for a cheeky tipple (or two) downstairs in a secluded booth? We think so.
3) Bad Mama’s Dungeon
What do you get when you cross a New York City jazz club and a classic Tokyo whiskey bar? The answer lies in Bad Mama’s Dungeon, the downstairs counterpart of Mamasan restaurant and bar.
Bad Mama’s Dungeon is dark, intimate and significantly less intimidating than its name would suggest - Japanese craft beer in hand (the drinks menu is 33 pages long, and includes the likes of sake, Asian whisky and old school cocktails), you and your date can feel comfort in knowing that even were a lull in conversation to appear (a regular occurrence on early dates), any awkwardness would be mitigated by the electrifying energy of the dungeon.
4) Cantina Ok!
Situated down an alleyway in a converted garage, Cantina Ok! offers an unassuming and quaint ode to the Mexican drinking parlour. Where the bar lacks in space (it really is pint sized) it more so than makes up in character; the watering hole is heralded as not so much a bar as it is an immersive drinking experience, meaning that you and your significant other will spend the evening sipping, swirling, tasting and learning about traditional mezcals and tequilas.
We recommend getting in early - originally a standing room only watering hole, only a few laneway seats become available each night, and trust us when we say that you’ll be wanting to hang around at this joint for a while.
5) Hemingway’s
Venturing to Hemingway’s bar feels akin to drinking in an old timey grandfather’s study, or in a (candle lit) library. The walls of this literary themed establishment are lined with books, and somewhere an old typewriter lies dormant.
Wooden furniture and a fireplace set the scene for the ultimate sophisticated night out, with Hemingway’s menu more than echoing this sentiment - hungry stomachs will be met with the likes of Beef Filet Mignon and Seared Scallops with chorizo crumbs.
6) Jacoby’s
While the word ‘tiki’ may be a deterrent for many, Jacoby’s bar pulls off its Pacific theme with ease, providing couples with a fun twist on cocktail night.
To drink, the bar stays true to its tiki spirit; at Jacoby’s you’ll find punchy cocktails (think, Frozen Passionfruit Margaritas), tropical seltzers and an impressive wine list, which you’ll be sipping beneath a thatched roof (we mentioned this was a Tiki bar, did we not?) and under the watchful eye of 3 tiki heads taking up centre stage behind the bar.
7) Old Mate’s Place
Fans of dim lighting and old timey interiors will find solitude in Old Mate’s Place. Old Mate’s is unabashedly romantic; sink into a dark leather booth, carefully curated cocktail in hand, and bewonder the wooden bookshelves lining the walls, foliage creeping out in every nook.
Stark in comparison to Old Mate’s is its rooftop counterpart; here, you’ll be met with 360° panoramic views of the sleek city skyscrapers and a similar abundance of green foliage - you’ll want to be quick though, the rooftop fills out fast.
8) The Baxter Inn
Not unlike Melbourne’s plethora of late night haunts, The Baxter Inn is notoriously hard to find (in the basement of an unassuming building at the end of an unnamed alleyway, specifically), thus well and truly securing its name as one of Sydney’s most beloved ‘secret’ bars.
The predominantly whisky orientated den is a dream made in date night heaven; dark, wooden furniture is softened with candlelight glow, the walls are all brick, and impressive, stacked bottles gleam triumphantly behind the bar. There’s no food at The Baxter Inn, but its drinks list of over 800 whiskies (there are beverages of other variety too) should keep you both occupied for the majority of the night.
9) Bar 83
83 levels above sea level lies Sydney’s highest bar, appropriately named Bar 83.
Bar 83 revels in 70s retro glory; those taking the trip to the highest floor are met with a bright atrium, stark red and white furniture and long, gangly brass lamps. While the star of the show is unanimously the panoramic views of Sydney (and high, floor to ceiling windows provide just this), cocktails swoop in at a close second; head to Bar 83 for date night and you’ll find yourselves slouched in a spherical chair overlooking the twinkling city lights, decadent cosmo in hand.
10) Little Felix
Feel like injecting a bit of Europe into date night? Little Felix (next to older and beloved brother, restaurant Felix) pays homage to 1920s Paris; its interiors are sleek, handsome and dark emerald, its food revolves around cheese charcuteries and its wine list is impressive.
We recommend heading for a meal at Felix and rolling over to Little Felix for a romantic and dimly lit tipple after.
11) The Duke of Clarence
Reminiscent of 19th century English pubs, The Duke of Clarence is neither classy nor does it intend to be. Its interiors are dark and old timey; antique furniture stands proud, and in one room, book lined walls make way for a roaring fire.
You’ll be sinking your teeth in some classic English pub grub here (think traditional pies with mash and gravy for lunch and fish finger sandwiches for dinner) - so ensure you and your date meet on an empty stomach.
12) The Glenmore
While the ground floor and first floor of The Glenmore have plenty to offer in terms of a decent tipple, it’s the bar’s rooftop that has transgressed to somewhat of an iconic status with the Sydney locals. It isn’t hard to see why; venture to the top floor and you’ll be met with pristine 180 degree views of Sydney Harbour and its surroundings by day, twinkling city lights by night.
Those with a hungry stomach will rejoice in The Glenmore’s menu, too; grilled halloumi and chicken skewers provide perfect share plates, while the signature Vanilla Espresso Martini goes down a treat during sundown.
