Sydney’s Best CBD Happy Hour Specials

Bars, Drink, Drinks Guide, Pubs, Sydney / 5 July 2023

For a post-work tipple or cheeky mid-week drink, here are the CBD happy hour specials you need to know about.

Everyone loves a good happy hour, especially when it comes to a Sydney CBD happy hour special. These days, ‘happy hour’ doesn’t always mean cheap house spirits, wine and beer for just one hour, but rather a hefty dose of daily specials, including food to entice us through the doors of your local establishments. From $6 pints, to $1.50 wings, we’ve put together a list of our favourite CBD happy hour spots.

Best CBD Happy Hours

Restaurant Hubert, Bligh Street

As one of the city’s best French dining rooms, Restaurant Hubert sure knows how to put on an epic aperitvo hour. Swing by from 5-6pm Monday to Saturday you can skip the queues and save yourself some serious moolah with a dedicated menu of cheap eats and drinks. Score $6 G&Ts, $12 negronis and $6 glasses of wine plus a selection of bites including $18 burger and $8 parfait.

Restaurant Hubert, Basement, 15 Bligh Street, Sydney. 

The Charles

It’s refined elegance in the heart of Sydney. The Charles has all the feels of Europe’s grand brasseries with an elegant art-deco interior and old-world hospitality. Visit the spot for food and drink specials every weekday from 3pm-6pm. Their signature cocktail ‘Southside’ is only $12, or a glass of Moet will only set you back $15. For food, try their mini prawn cocktails for $10.

The Charles, 66 King St, Sydney

Marys, Circular Quay and Pitt Street

A Marys burger is always a good idea. And in great news, the crew from Marys have just launched their new happy hour, aptly called ‘The Happiest F$ckin Hour (of Your Life)’. Swing by one of their CBD outpost from 4-6pm on weekdays to score a Margarita and a snack for just $5 each.

Marys Circular Quay (7 Macquarie Place) and Marys Pitt Street (410 Pitt Street). 

Best CBD Happy Hours

Maybe Sammy, The Rocks

Earning itself the honour of being one of Sydney’s best bars, Maybe Sammy is a cocktail spot not to be missed. Located in the heart of The Rocks, this luxe bar is the perfect spot to nab a well-made drink that won’t cost you the earn. Swing by from 4:30-5:30pm every day to take part in their ‘Mini Martini Hour’. All mini martinis are $5.50 and there are seven different cocktails to choose from.

Maybe Sammy, 115 Harrington Street, The Rocks.

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Famed grilled seafood spot, Rockpool, have introduced their own version of happy hour. RP Hour runs for two hours every weekday between 4pm-6pm and offers a curated selection of premium snacks, handcrafted cocktails, and a Sommelier’s Choice of wines by the glass. Transition from work to life with $15 food items, $12 classic cocktails and $15 on the Sommelier’s Selection of Sparkling, Red and White Wine.

Rockpool Bar & Grill, 66 Hunter St, Sydney.

Mode Kitchen & Bar Aperitivo Special

Relax with an aperitivo cocktail and a buffet of Italian Street Food at a delicious price of $30. Happening every weekday from 4pm-6pm, you can snack on crusty focaccia bread and watermelon salad, and pair that with a plate of cured meats. You can also grab more substantial dishes like pizza, as well as Chef Mannelli’s personal favourites, the wagyu bresaola and fresh mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes. All that whilst you decide between Aperol Spritz, Garibaldi, martinis and a selection of Italian wines by the glass.

Mode Kitchen & Bar, 199 George Street Sydney.

Esteban

Everyone’s favourite Mexican laneway and basement tequila bar just made happy hours even better! The team are dishing out $12 margaritas every Wednesday to Saturday (yep, even on the weekend) from 4pm-6pm. The margs are shaken with Patrón Silver, Cointreau, and the perfect balance of lime and a signature salt rim. Plus, enjoy Mexican share-style plates to celebrate the end of the work day.

Esteban, 1 Temperance Lane, Sydney.

Tiva

There’s nothing average about the happy hour at Tiva, aptly named ‘Twilight Hours’. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to the underground live music bar every Wednesday-Friday from 5-7pm. Indulge in a $10 Classic Tiva Burger, $12 Tommy’s Margarita or a $15 glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can also opt-in for a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne for $99.

Tiva, 68 King St, Sydney.

cbd happy hour the morrison

The Morrison

If you’re feeling like something a little more refined, the stylish CBD Happy Hour special at The Morrison will tempt you with $10 Negronis & Aperol Spritz, and $7 schooners, wines and spirits weekdays between 4pm – 6pm. Plus, every Wednesday between 6pm – 7pm you can enjoy half price oysters, shucked fresh to order.

The Morrison, 225 George St, CBD.

Dean & Nancy On 22

Watch the sun fall down on Sydney’s skyline whilst sipping on a refreshing apertivio at Dean & Nancy. Their sunset happy hour goes from 4:30-5:30pm, offering heavy discounts off their drinks menu. For $15, you can order their Latin American Highball cocktail, Moonlit Harmony (a whiskey and coffee-based drink) or the Spritz Me Once Again. There are also a selection of non-alcoholic drink selections also at a reduced price.

Dean & Nancy On 22, 2 Hunter St, Sydney.

Employees Only

No one does happy hour like the New York speakeasy outpost! Instead of offering cocktails and food specials, the folks at Employees Only are giving you 50% off the entire food and drinks bill. From Tuesdays – Thursdays between 5-6pm & Fridays between 3-5pm, everything on the food menu will be half price, meaning you can take happy hour to a whole new level.

Employees Only, 9a Barrack St, Sydney.

Shellhouse

Head down to the Menzies Bar in at Shellhouse to celebrate Martini Hour, happening everyday between 4pm & 6pm. Sip on a classic martini cocktail for only $10, whilst pairing it with a limited run of fresh lobster rolls (until sold out) also for just $10. You can reserve a table in advanced, or simply walk in and see where the night takes you.

Shellhouse, 37 Margaret St, Sydney.