Sydney Bar Guide: Highlights from The Rocks to Parramatta
Sydney features a diverse nightlife scene, ranging from intimate spaces in the CBD to rooftop venues across different suburbs. Visitors can explore a selection of notable bars highlighting unique themes, historical locations, and specific regional drinks.
The Rocks and CBD

In The Rocks, Maybe Sammy draws inspiration from 1950s and 60s Rat Pack entertainers, featuring pastel, green and gold interiors with waiters in pale pink dinner jackets. It is the only Sydney bar included on the World's 50 Best Bars list.
Located in a delivery lane in the CBD, Cantina OK! occupies a former garage with standing room for 20 people. It specialises in mezcal cocktails and straight pours. Also in the CBD, Old Mate's Place requires climbing over 100 steps to reach its rooftop space, with a basement sister bar named Old Love's offering a tiki theme. The Library Bar sits on the rooftop of the State Library of New South Wales, offering views of the Domain and harbour, alongside craft beers, New South Wales wines, and small-batch spirits.

Dean and Nancy on 22 is a 1960s New York-inspired cocktail bar with black, gold and marble interiors overlooking skyscrapers through floor-to-ceiling windows. Bar 83 is located 83 floors up at Sydney Tower, styled as a retro airline lounge with champagne and caviar options.
Inner Sydney and Parramatta

In Newtown, Pleasure Club operates in a subterranean space that was once an X-rated video store and an adult shop, holding a 4am licence. Nearby in Enmore, Bar Planet features intergalactic decor and martini variations created using an infinite spirit developed with Marrickville distiller Poor Toms.
In Western Sydney, Nick & Nora's is an art deco rooftop bar located in Parramatta.

