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 an hour, but rather a hefty dose of daily specials, including food to entice us through the doors of your local establishments. From $10 martinis pints to $1.50 oysters, we’ve put together a list of our favourite CBD happy hour spots.
Menzies Bar, Margaret St.
Head down to the Menzies Bar at Shellhouse to celebrate Martini Hour daily from 4–6 pm. Sip on a mini martini cocktail for only $10, whilst pairing it with a limited run of fresh lobster rolls (until sold out) for just $10. You can reserve a table in advance or walk in and see where the night takes you.
Find Menzies Bar at 37 Margaret St, Sydney.
Harper Rooftop Bar, Pitt St.
Harper is Sydney’s largest open rooftop and has everything you need for day drinks in Sydney summer – a pool, comfy chairs, a bar and an open kitchen. Their happy hour goes by Golden Hour for a reason! Catch the golden glow Wednesday-Thursday 4-7pm and Sunday 12-6pm. Expect $8 Coronas, $12 AIX glasses, $22 Taittinger glasses, $15 slushies and $55 Spritz jugs. Swing by for lunch on Fridays and get your hands on $20 burger and fries or 3 tacos and a corona for $25. Watch the sunset over the Sydney skyline with a wallet-friendly drink in hand!
Find Harper Rooftop Bar at Kimpton Margot Sydney, Level 7/339 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Esteban, Temperance Lne.
Everyone’s favourite Mexican laneway and basement tequila bar made happy hour even better! The team is dishing out $12 cocktails and $9 tacos from 5-6pm on Monday and Tuesday and 4-6 pm Wednesday to Sunday. In the cocktail department, choose from Margaritas, Tequila Mockingbird, Sangria, and Paloma, and pair them with their most popular tacos including salmon ceviche, pork belly, steak tartare, and sweet potato.
Find Esteban at 1 Temperance Lane, Sydney.
De Vine Food and Wine, Market St.
De Vine Food and Wine is a cosy Italian restaurant on the corner of Market and Clarence Streets. It boasts plush green seating in an intimate restaurant setting. Every Monday to Friday from 3-5pm, they host their iconic Aperitivo Hour. Loosen your collar after work with $10 wines, and $10-12 cocktails (with their key ingredient, amaro). Expect authentic Italian nibbles at a discount, including focaccia, truffle mortadella, and Sydney’s tastiest zucchini flowers. Walk-ins welcome or book ahead here.
Find de Vine Food and Wine at 32 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Arisun, Chinatown
Looking for a bargain on after-work drinks? Look no further than Arisun’s daily Happy Hour! From 3.30-5.30 pm, you can score cans of Korean beer for just $5.90, jugs for $22.90, high balls for $9.90, and Soju for $11.90. With these prices, Arisun is a must-consider for anyone keen to find Sydney’s best happy hour.
Find Arisun at Shop 35/1 Dixon St, Haymarket NSW 2000.
Alegre, King St. Wharf
Alegre Mexican restaurant is running its Sunset Hour every Thursday and Friday from 4-6pm from 27th December. A wallet-friendly way to loosen up after a long day at work. Experience $8 tacos with all the fillings, from melt-in-your-mouth Baja fish to authentic beef birria. They also have $8 beers and wines, or if you’re feeling fancy, $14 cocktails (including classic Margs and Aperol Spritz). So grab your besties and head to Alegre’s harbourside haven for a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine in the Sydney CBD.
Find Alegre at 21 Lime St, Sydney NSW 2000.
Restaurant Hubert, Bligh St.
As one of the city’s favourite French dining rooms, Restaurant Hubert sure knows how to put on an epic aperitivo hour. Swing by from 5-6pm Monday to Sunday you can skip the queues and save yourself some serious moolah with a dedicated menu of cheap eats and drinks. Score $7 G&Ts, $12 negronis, and $7 glasses of wine plus a selection of bites including an $18 burger and $8 duck liver parfait. Their happy hour is walk-ins only.
Find Restaurant Hubert at Basement, 15 Bligh St., Sydney.
The Charles, King St.
It’s refined elegance in the heart of Sydney. The Charles Bar has all the feels of Europe’s cosy wine bars grand brasseries with an elegant art-deco interior and old-world hospitality. Visit the spot for food and drink specials Monday to Saturday for the “Charles Hours” from 4-7pm. Try their crowd-pleasing ‘Two Sip’ Martini for just $13, a glass of Moet will only set you back $19 and schooners are $7. For food, try their fried chicken croquette with pickled zucchini for $9 each, or their crispy lamb shoulder sandwich with horseradish cream for $14.
Find The Charles at 66 King St., Sydney.
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 an arm and a leg. Swing by from 4.30-5.30 pm every day when they’re stirring up mini cocktails for just $7 each.
Find Maybe Sammy at 115 Harrington St., The Rocks.
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Hunter St.
Famed grilled seafood spot, Rockpool, has introduced its version of happy hour. RP Hour runs for two hours on weekdays from 4-6pm and offers a selection of premium snacks, handcrafted cocktails, and a Sommelier’s Choice of wines by the glass. Transition from work to life with options like their $15 Rockpool BLT with smoked garlic mayo, $6 fries, $10 Spritz’s, $12 classic and house cocktails, $7 beers, and $15 on the Sommelier’s selection of sparkling, red, and white wine.
Find Rockpool Bar & Grill at 66 Hunter St., Sydney.
Tiva, King St.
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 Thursday and Friday from 5–8pm and 8-10pm on Saturday. Indulge in a $16 Tiva Fried Chicken Burger, a $12 Twilight Hour cocktail, or, if you’re feeling fancy, grab a $110 bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne.
Find Tiva at 68 King St., Sydney.
The Morrison, Grosvenor St.
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 4–6pm. Pop in any day at any time from 11.30am for NYC’s cult-favourite martini-and-fries combo for just $24. Plus, every Wednesday between 6 and 7 pm you can enjoy half-price oysters, shucked fresh to order (just $1.50!).
Find The Morrison at 225 George St., CBD.
Dean & Nancy On 22, Hunter St.
Watch the sun fall on Sydney’s skyline whilst sipping on a refreshing aperitivo at Dean & Nancy. Their sunset happy hour goes from 5–6 pm, offering heavy discounts on their drinks menu. For $15, you can order their Tramanto cocktail (Aperol,Raspberry, Grapefruit & Sparkling Wine), 50/50 martini or Noto Notte. There is also a selection of non-alcoholic drinks available at a reduced price. Cheers to that!
Find Dean & Nancy On 22 at 2 Hunter St., Sydney.
Employees Only, Barrack St.
No one does happy hour like the New York speakeasy outpost! Say hello to Golden Hour where you can savour $3.50 oysters, $10 tacos, $11 Aperol Spritz’s, $7 beers and spirits, $8 wines by the glass and much more. Stop by Tuesday-Saturday between 5 and 6pm to avail of these great prices!
Employees Only, 9a Barrack St., Sydney.
This guide is current as of 18th December 2024. Has a venue we’ve mentioned closed? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you: newsletter@eatdrinkplay.com
