The Best Happy Hours in Sydney for an After-Work Tipple
Our pick of the best happy hours in Sydney will make you (and your wallet) smile.
A refreshing beverage is one of Australia’s most revered traditions, and we Sydneysiders certainly have it lucky with our choice of city hangouts. An affinity for a good deal means plenty of our favourite bars and restaurants offer a string of purse-friendly combos, so it's time to get across them.
To help whittle down your options, we’ve compiled a list of the loveliest pubs and bars in Sydney for you to visit and indulge in while keeping your credit card on the right side of the red. These are the best happy hours in Sydney right now. Bottoms up!
The Best Happy Hours in Sydney: CBD & Inner Suburbs
Armorica
This 150-seat Parisian Brasserie pays homage to the city of lights, embracing the timeless charm of classic French dining, with that certain je ne sais quoi that only the French know how. Armorica also serves a sophisticated happy hour offering for those in the know - the 'Six Til 6' deal includes $6 glasses of rosé and selected charcuterie items for two hours every day of the week - c'est bon!
Daily, 4 - 6 pm
490 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Shell House
We're always looking for an excuse to pop into Shell House and you won't find one better than this. This popular multi-level venue has deals on deals. Head to Menzies Bar for $10 martinis and lobster rolls (4 to 6 pm) or, if you're more of an oyster fan, Sky Bar for $2 oysters, $15 margaritas and $15 prawn katsu sandos (Tuesday to Saturday, 4 to 6 pm). Fancy a negroni? Clocktower Bar is serving them up for $15.
37 Margaret Street, Sydney
The Bar at Sydney Common
$8 mini martinis? Sold. But there's more to this happy hour. Soak up the beautiful park views from Sydney Common's glorious glass atrium whilst snacking on some of the best bar snacks in Sydney. And if martinis aren't your thing, $12 negronis and $6 wines and gin and tonics will be.
Tuesday to Friday, 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Level 1, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
Jane
The Australiano happy hour at Jane has been a longtime favourite with locals. Drinks start at just $8 and are paired perfectly with a bunch of snacks on offer all under $16. We're talking $3 oysters, $8 kingfish rillette and $12 dirty highballs.
Sitchu Tip: The lamb dumplings with saltbush are out of this world.
Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 6pm
Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to 6pm
478 Bourke St, Surry Hills
Alfie's
The good news about Alfie's exceptional happy hour is that you can hit up one of the most-loved restaurants of the moment for under $20, daily. Score a hot chip spit roast beef butty for $17 and a selection of bevvies for bargain prices. We're talking $16 Alfie's martinis, $6 gin and tonics, $10 wines and $3 Butcher of Beer cans from The Grifter.
Daily, 4 to 6 pm
Shop 2, 4-6 Bligh Street
ArmsLength
With a generous two-hour window, Armslength's happy hour has something for everyone. House wine, beer and Four Pillars G&T's will set you back $8 a pop whilst you can score a spritz, margarita or gin sour for just $12. Grab a jaffle for $12 or score a tap beer or house wine with it and it'll only cost you an easy $15.
Every day, 4 to 6 pm
7 Kellett Street, Potts Point
Cafe Freda's
A community hub and meeting place for many Sydneysiders, Cafe Freda's is a top spot for people-watching with $10 Negronis and Aperol spritz. Swing by at sunset for vibes aplenty.
Wednesday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm
195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Soak up the luxe marble interiors of Rockpool Bar & Grill for a fraction of the price. Pop by during the two-hour window, and you can score a value-added bar menu of premium snacks, select cocktails and a Sommelier's selection of discounted drops.
Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm
66 Hunter Street, Sydney
The Stinking Bishops
As far as happy hour specials go, this one is pretty fab. The Stinking Bishops Cheese O'Clock special offers a cheese and wine pairing experience during happy hour, and a sweeter sentence has never existed. You'll dine on a selection of curated cheeses paired with matching wines for only $40pp. Bargain!
Tuesday to Friday, 5 to 6 pm
Shop 5 63-71, Enmore Road, Newtown
Cardea
For the most chic happy hour in Sydney, it's got to be Cardea. Come happy hour, Cardea takes 49% off their entire drinks menu! Soak up that deliciously decadent ambience for a fraction of the price.
Wednesday to Friday, 4 to 6:30 pm, Saturday, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Shop 3, T3.01 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Morrison's
Morrison's has redefined happy hour in the city with complimentary snacks! Indulge in $10 Negronis and Aperol Spritz or $7 gin and tonics, house red and white, or lager. You'll also be treated to a selection of rotating complimentary snacks, ranging from cheeseburger sliders to house-made sausage rolls.
Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm
225 George Street, Sydney
The Best Happy Hours in Sydney: Inner West
The Erko
The only thing better than a happy hour is a happy weekend. The Erko serves the happiest of these with $12 mini martinis and $2 oysters on Saturday and Sunday. Bargain.
Saturday and Sunday
102 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
The Alex
Merivale gem The Alex is a popular heritage hang-out spot slinging pub classics, great tunes, local art and hoops in the backyard. It also does an excellent happy hour. You can get $7 house beers, wines, and spirits, plus $14 Aperols and $16 Tommy's margs from Monday to Friday.
Monday to Friday, 5 to 7 pm
35 Henderson Road, Alexandria
The Best Happy Hours in Sydney: Lower North Shore
SoCal
Mexi-Cali-themed rooftop bar and pub SoCal is equal parts chic and laid-back. Between 5 - 6:30 pm on weekdays, sip on $7 house white, rosé or prosecco, $7 house beer, and $14 frozen cocktails – be sure to sample one of their famous margaritas - you'll get a free taco thrown in!
Monday to Thursday, 5 to 6:30 pm, Friday 3 to 6:30 pm
1 Young Street, Neutral Bay
The Stoned Crow
With buckets of rustic charm, The Stoned Crow doesn’t have to try hard to earn its effortlessly cool stripes. With exposed brick walls and hanging foliage, this hip hangout is a trendy oasis on the northern side of the Harbour. And its happy hour is equally as impressive. Running Monday through Friday, punters can nab $6 house wines, spirits and pints.
Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm
39 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
The Best Happy Hours in Sydney: North Sydney
The Botanist
This charming local bar and restaurant is one of Kirribilli's most adored hangouts, with an equally popular happy hour. From Monday to Friday, from 4 – 6 pm, they serve $7.50 beer, house wine, gin and tonics, and $12 gin spritz. Set in a cosy, botanical-inspired venue, it's the ultimate spot to unwind after a long day and decompress.
Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm
17 Willoughby Street, Kirribilli
The Best Happy Hours in Sydney: Sutherland Shire
FIOR
We adore a happy hour that includes dining deals and drink specials. Feel fancy at FIOR while you sip on a $12 FIOR spritz, $8 house wine, $7 pale ale, or $8 G&Ts. The sunny balcony is perfect for $2 Sydney rock oysters, $8 crumbed scallops, and $20 Mafalde Corte.
Monday to Thursday, 5 - 6 pm, Friday to Sunday, 4 - 5 pm
752-756 Kingsway, Gymea
The Best Happy Hours in Sydney: Northern Beaches
Busta
Manly's buzziest Italian joint, Busta, offers a delightful aperitivo hour on the weekends. Think $10 spritzes, $3 oysters, and $5 snacks that are perfect for sharing. Go for the bargains, stay for the good vibes.
Weekends, 4 to 5 pm
10 Pittwater Road, Manly
Harbord Hotel
Freshwater's favourite watering hole, the Harbord Hotel, does a weekday happy hour that's hard to beat. Sip on $7 house wines, beer and spirits or $12 margs while soaking up the Vitamin D in their sundrenched courtyard, moments from the beach.
Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 pm
29 Moore Road, Freshwater
Corretto
With a perfect sunset position overlooking Dee Why Beach coupled with $12 cocktails, $7 house wines, $8 schooners, $10 pint and a snack menu, Corretto’s cheeky combo draws in a sizeable crowd. This arrangement is complemented by weekly specials from steak night to 50% off cocktails on Friday afternoons.
Daily, 3 to 6 pm
24 The Strand, Dee Why
Loving our picks of the best happy hours in Sydney? We’ve also rounded up our favourite romantic bars and the best pubs for those heading off on a date.
