These are the hottest new bars of the year
At the end of a great year, we raise a glass to those bars who didn’t make it to 2016, including greats like The Victoria Room and Hugo’s Lounge. But as the sun set on their day, it rose for a new wave of bars popping up all around our great city.
Award-winning Sydney bartenders from establishments like Bulletin Place, Lobo Plantation and Rockpool took charge of new projects this year, bringing some wild and exciting ideas to the table. Each bar has their own unique flair, a list of mouth-watering cocktails and is guaranteed to give you a good time. So, what are you still doing just sitting there? If you haven’t already been… get on down to one of these hopping venues!
Thievery
This Middle Eastern bar and restaurant opened in May and instantly stole our hearts. The food is inspired by Middle Eastern street food, a far cry from just your 3am kebab. Thievery is all about authentic food and drink from the region, designed by former Rockpool and Chin Chin chef Jordan Muhamad. They also have an adventurous cocktail list, with each cocktail brimming with exotic and delicious flavours. Our pick is the Baby Got Baklava, with bourbon, amaretto, lemon, pistachio and honey syrup topped with Rose Floss.
Thievery
91 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday 6- 11pm. Friday 6 – Midnight. Saturday 11-3pm & 6 – Midnight
02 8283 1329
For more, read our full review of Thievery.
Dead Ringer
We were excited to try new bar Dead Ringer in Surry Hills, from the guys behind Bulletin Place and we weren’t disappointed. The same care and detail is put into the drinks here as Bulletin and the service is just as exceptional. They serve innovative cocktails including stand-outs such as the Yuzu Breezer. It’s made with yuzu liquer, Aperol, citric acid, rum and soda served in a bottle akin to it’s inspiration, the Bacardi Breezer. They have also collaborated with Gelato Messina to give us the Hot n Cold Buttered Toddy where warm scotch meets cold gelato. Alcohol and Messina, who could say no?!
Dead Ringer
413 Bourke St, Sydney NSW 2010
9331 3560
5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
For more, read our full review of Dead Ringer.
The Old Clare Hotel Rooftop
Making a splash in November 2015 is Sydney’s newest rooftop pool bar, located on the old site of the dingy Carlton Brewery. There’s nothing dingy about Old Clare though which is now a chic, sophisticated venue, complete with a glittery 14m pool and amazing cocktails. They have a great range of summer drinks to cool you down. Try the Miami Vice cocktail, a frozen delight mixing piña colada with a strawberry daiquiri. For a bite to eat, Old Clare has two restaurants inside their hotel, Automato and Silvereye, that are sure to satisfy.
The Old Clare Hotel
1 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW
Wed to Fri 3pm–10pm
Sat & Sun 11am–10pm
8277 8277
For more, read our full review of The Old Clare.
Henry Deane, Hotel Palisade
Sydney seems to have a thing for rooftop bars this year. Another previously forgotten venue triumphantly reopened was Henry Deane atop of Hotel Palisade in Millers Point. A drink list crafted by the team behind the Barber Shop, with creations like the coconut and pandan daiquiri, an interesting take on the original. This unique bar certainly shows Sydney off in the best light, and we mean that literally with stunning views to take your breath away.
Hotel Palisade
35 Bettington St, Millers
0404 241 139
12pm – 12pm
For more, read our full review of Hotel Palisade.
Darlo Country Club
The fall of any Sydney bar, especially one as iconic as the Victoria Room is always sad but from the ashes a new bar has been reborn. And Darlo Country Club certainly lives up to it’s predecessors. Creators behind Lobo Plantation and The Island came together to create this bar, modelled after the exclusive LA Country Club scene. The drinks list is outstanding with flaming cocktails, piña coladas served in coconuts and our pick the Eton Fizz, a beautiful cocktail inspired by the British dessert Eton Mess. Darlo Country Club is a must try in the new year.
Darlo Country Club
235 Victoria St Darlinghurst NSW
0449 998 005
Closed Sunday – Tues, Wed: 5pm – 12am, Thurs- Sat: 5pm – 2am
For more, read our full review of Darlo Country Club.