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Best Bars in Sydney 2026, Top Venues & Rooftop

Sydney bars guide 2026: discover rooftop bars, heritage pubs in The Rocks, craft beer venues in Marrickville, and top cocktail bars across Sydney CBD and suburbs.

By Sydney Daily · Published 25 July 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Sydney is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

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Sydney Pubs and Bars 2026, Overview

Sydney has one of Australia's most dynamic bar and pub scenes, from heritage sandstone pubs in The Rocks to rooftop bars overlooking the Harbour, world-class whisky bars in the CBD and a thriving craft beer scene centred on Marrickville. Here's a guide to Sydney's best pubs and bars in 2026.

Rooftop Bars

Blu Bar on 36 (Shangri-La Hotel), 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks. 36 floors above Sydney Harbour. Cocktails with unmatched views of the Bridge and Opera House. shangri-la.com
The Rooftop at Paramount, 1 Randle Lane, Surry Hills. Heritage Paramount Pictures building, rooftop bar with city views.
Lobo Plantation, 159 King Street, Newtown. Rooftop rum bar with South American character.

Heritage Pubs in The Rocks

The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, 19 Kent Street, The Rocks. Sydney's oldest pub (est. 1841) and microbrewery. Six handcrafted ales on tap. lordnelsonbrewery.com
The Hero of Waterloo, 81 Lower Fort Street, The Rocks. 1843 sandstone heritage pub. Sydney's oldest continuously operating hotel.

Craft Beer

Marrickville Brewery Precinct, Marrickville has become Sydney's craft beer capital. Young Henrys (Wilford Street), Batch Brewing Company (Sydenham Road), Willie the Boatman (Ricketty Street, Mascot). younghenrys.com
Sauce Brewing Co, 21 Byrnes Street, Marrickville. Award-winning Marrickville craft brewery.

Surry Hills and Darlinghurst

Sydney's densest concentration of excellent bars. Shady Pines Saloon (hidden behind a door on Crown Street, no-sign dive bar, legendary), Eau de Vie (Darlinghurst Road, cocktail bar, regularly voted among Australia's best), Stitch (York Street CBD).

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