The Best Inner-City Bar Crawl
If, like us, you enjoy a drink or two, these bars will be perfect for your nights out. Whether hole-in-the-wall joints, bustling basements or a rock ‘n’ roll dive bars are your style, these are our favourite spots for a perfect inner-city bar crawl.
Grain - 199 George Street, Sydney
Situated beside the Four Seasons Hotel, Grain is the perfect location to kick off after work drinks, or to quench a thirst fresh off the ferry. The artistic bar and open fireplaces create a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, perfect for unwinding with friends and a few cocktails. We recommend the sweet and sherbet-y Pink Chihuahua, or the whiskey-based Nikka Please.
Bulletin Place - Level 1, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay
Changing daily, the menu at this friendly bar provides the freshest cocktails and appetisers with seasonal market produce. The small space unfortunately means only small groups are allowed, however the hospitable staff and intimate atmosphere means this place is perfect for a date night.
Frankie’s Pizza - 50 Hunter Street, Sydney
This dive bar/pizza parlour is perfect for any time of the night. Grab an early dinner,rock out to live music, or the let loose on occasional karaoke night with a delicious pizza available for $6.00 a slice. With its underground setting, the rock ‘n’ roll vibe is only increased by the great music, friendly staff and iconic pinball machines.
The Baxter Inn - Basement 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney
Whiskey lovers, this is the place to be! Get comfy in one of the intimate booths or tables and unwind to the rhythm of jazz and blues in this candle-lit 1920s-style basement bar. With over 350 whiskies just waiting for you to sample (either straight or in a number of scrumptious cocktails) how could you resist?
Papa Gede’s Bar - Laneway rear of 348 Kent Street, Sydney
A block away from Baxter is your next stop: Papa Gede’s - a voodoo tiki style bar complete with shrunken heads and painted skulls. Try out The Zombie, a fierce concoction of Appleton Estate, brandy, Cointreau, grapefruit and falernum, and topped with a show-stopping fire-filled lime. For something less boozy, we recommend the It’s Rick James, a smoky and sweet blend of Monkey Shoulder whiskey, Kraken rum and chai agrume.
Grandma’s Bar - Basement 275, Clarence Street, Sydney
Finally, further south is Grandma’s Bar – a venue styled with an original combination of ‘granny glamour’ and tiki-style cocktails to create a relaxed and fun vibe that welcomes loud shirts, suits and party dresses with equal enthusiasm. Anyone is welcome to kick back and enjoy a Peanut Butter Colada (it sells itself), or share a fruity, rum-based bowl of Flamin’ Galah.
