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 $6 pints to $1.50 wings, 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 from 4 pm – 6 pm Monday to Saturday. Sip on a mini 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 advance or walk in and see where the night takes you.

Find Menzies Bar at 37 Margaret St, Sydney.

Cirq, Crown Towers, Barangaroo.

A happy hour above the clouds. At CIRQ, a rooftop bar that sits 26 floors above the Sydney skyline in the Crown Towers, guests can enjoy $2 oysters, $8 lobster rolls, $7 beers, $10 wines and spirits, and $15 cocktails including the Botanical Symphony – made with Tanqueray 10, St.Germain, basil and agave.

Find Cirq at Crown Sydney, Level 26/1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo, Sydney.

Esteban, Temperance Lne.

Everyone’s favourite Mexican laneway and basement tequila bar just made happy hour even better! The team is dishing out $12 cocktails and $9 tacos from 5 pm – 6 pm Sunday to Tuesday and 4 pm – 6 pm Wednesday to Saturday. 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 – 5 pm, they host their iconic Aperitivo Hour. Loosen your collar after work with $10 wines, and $10 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.

Cafe Sydney, Alfred St.

Happy hour meets luxury at Cafe Sydney. Between 5-7 pm on Wednesdays, grab a Petit Pour – a unique mini cocktail for just $14, alongside $2 Sydney Rock Oysters (rumoured to be the best in Sydney), all with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Choose from three Petit Pours: a classic Vesper Martini, a savoury Mary Ketel, or the zingy Sticky Pickle.

Find Cafe Sydney at 31 Alfred St., Sydney.

Arisun, Chinatown

Alegre, King St. Wharf 

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 pm – 6 pm 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 from 4-7pm. Try their crowd-pleasing “King St. Spritz” cocktail for just $16, a glass of Moet will only set you back $19 and schooners are $7. For food, try their crumbed confit chicken with pickles for $6 or their aged Wagyu cheeseburger with fries and a beer or house wine for $25.

Find The Charles at 66 King St., Sydney.

Anason, Barangaroo

Anason is a slice of Istanbul in the heart of Sydney, serving seasonal Turkish cuisine in a chic, harbourside setting. Inspired by the laid-back ambience of Turkish meyhanes, Anason hosts a smashing (and lengthy) happy hour. From Monday-Friday from 3-6pm, they’re serving $8 Aperols, $10 Tommy’s margaritas and $8 house beer and wines. Complete your evening with appetising, authentic Turkish fare from their menu, like lentil kofte or hummus.

Find Anason at 5/23 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000.

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 pm -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 pm-6 pm 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 chorizo dog with chimi churri and crispy onions, $4 fries, $12 classic and house cocktails (Martini, Old Fashioned, Margarita & RP Spritz), $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 5–7 pm. Indulge in a $16 Tiva Fried Chicken Burger, a $12 Tommy’s Margarita, or (and) an $19 glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can also opt for a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne for $110.

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 pm – 6 pm. Plus, every Wednesday between 6 pm – 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 pm – 6 pm, offering heavy discounts on their drinks menu. For $15, you can order their Orchard Spritz (Glenfiddich 12, Pomme Verte, Becherovka, Pear & Cinnamon Soda), Golden Deer or Oyster Shell Martini. There is also a selection of non-alcoholic drinks available at a reduced price.

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! Instead of offering cocktails and food specials, the folks at Employees Only are giving you 50% off their happy hour menu items (tortilla chips, chicken tacos, camembert and more!). From Wednesday to Friday between 5 pm – 6 pm, you can take happy hour to a whole new level.

Employees Only, 9a Barrack St., Sydney.

Grain Bar, The Rocks.

Aperitivo hour is back and better at Grain Bar (housed in the 5-star Four Seasons Hotel). From 4.30-6.30 pm, Tuesday-Friday, you can enjoy two hours of unlimited access to an Italian-inspired antipasto buffet. Think wheels of sharp cheeses, vine-ripe cherry tomatoes, ribbons of salumi and fresh-made chilled salads. All this is accompanied by hot, house-made focaccia, Roman-style pizzas, and rich arancini. Grab Aperol Spritzs, Americanos, Garibaldis, and Bellinis for just $40 during Aperitivo hour.  A great choice for a date night or a catch-up with friends that won’t break the bank, offering a delightful taste of European summer.

Luna Lu, Circular Quay.

Happy hour with a view at Luna Lu! Overlooking Sydney Harbour, Luna Lu offers an enviable spot to watch the sunset while sipping on a $15 happy hour cocktail. Their Sunset Happy Hour runs from 3-6pm, Monday-Thursday with standouts including Apple Blossom Saketini, Dark Sakura Sesame Prawn Toast & Truffle Duck Spring Rolls.

This guide is current as of June 2024. Has a venue we’ve mentioned closed? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you: newsletter@eatdrinkplay.com