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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.
Sydney’s best happy hours span sun-drenched courtyards and underground speakeasies alike, from $8 spritzes at Besa’s Aperitivo Hour in Bondi to $10 martinis at the subterranean Letra House in the CBD, with Monica’s Rooftop Bar in Paddington rounding out the city’s most reliable after-work deals. A refreshing beverage is one of Australia’s most revered traditions, and Sydneysiders have it lucky with the sheer choice of city hangouts on offer, our affinity for a good deal meaning plenty of favourite bars and restaurants run a steady string of purse-friendly combos worth getting across.
To help whittle down the options, we’ve tracked down the loveliest pubs and rooftop bars in Sydney, including Harbord Hotel’s beachside courtyard, all offering deals worth building your evening around, from cheap schooners to proper cocktails. These are the best happy hour deals in Sydney right now. Bottoms up!
In This Guide:
Editor’s Pick
Besa
If you’ve been chasing that euro summer feeling, Besa is your answer. The newish (but already beloved) Bondi Spanish tapas bar runs Aperitivo Hour from Tuesday through Sunday from 4–5.30pm. That means $14 spritzes, $8 sangria, $8 vermouth and $10 beers, all of which makes it very easy to pretend you’re somewhere on the Iberian Peninsula. If you want to make a proper meal of it, the bocadillo de ternera, patatas fritas and a sangria comes in at a very reasonable $35.
Suburb: Bondi Beach
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Spanish
Best For: Date night, group dining, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Aperitivo Hour runs Tuesday to Sunday, 4pm to 5.30pm.
Best Happy Hours in the Sydney CBD and The Rocks
Bar Herbs
$13 martinis? Say less. Bar Herbs is one of the newly-opened venues from Mucho Group and it’s a very fun, underground vibe in the CBD. The signature Herbs Martini is made with seasonal vodka distilled with botanicals, vermouth, olives, and lemon and it’s the perfect thing to sip on after a day in the office. Oh, and there’s also $7 lager if that’s more your vibe.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Cocktail bar
Best For: Cocktail lovers, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Happy hour runs daily, 4pm to 6pm.
Letra House
Tucked beneath Kent Street, Letra House has quietly become one of the CBD’s best spots for an after-work unwind, and now there’s even more reason to drop in. From Monday to Saturday, 4–6pm, the subterranean bar rolls out a Spanish-leaning happy hour of snackable bites and easy sips, perfect for sliding into a banquette or settling in at the bar. Think gildas and croquetas to start, rotating pintxos and shareable plates, all paired with classic pours (like $8 Estrella) and well-made cocktails (think $16 martinis) that make clocking off feel very worth it.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Spanish
Best For: Date night, cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 6pm.
Cantina OK!
Small in size but big on flavour, Cantina OK! is the CBD mezcal bar everyone knows and loves. Their world-famous margarita is just $13 during happy hour from 4–5pm daily (which is a seriously good excuse to swing by early). Stick around and soak up the vibe, because they’re open until 2am, seven nights a week.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Mexican
Best For: Cocktail lovers, late night
Need To Know: Happy hour runs daily, 4pm to 5pm. Open until 2am, seven nights a week.
Maybe Sammy
Sip, swirl and savour a mini martini during happy hour at Maybe Sammy. From Tuesday to Saturday, 4:30–5:30pm, you can enjoy $8 pours of their award-winning cocktails (proof that the best things really do come in small packages).
Suburb: The Rocks
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Cocktail bar
Best For: Date night, cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Tuesday to Saturday, 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
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 (Monday through Saturday 4 to 6 pm) or Sky Bar for $15 margaritas. Fancy a negroni? Clocktower Bar is serving them up for $15.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Group dining, cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Menzies Bar deal runs Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 6pm. Sky Bar and Clocktower Bar deals also available, timing not specified.
Morrison’s
Morrison’s has redefined happy hour in the city with complimentary snacks! Indulge in $10 Negronis and Aperol Spritz or $7.50 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.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Budget-friendly, group dining
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Monday to Friday, 4pm to 6pm. Complimentary rotating snacks included.
Best Happy Hours in the Eastern Suburbs
Monica’s Rooftop Bar
This gorgeous Paddington gem has rebranded the midweek slump into something worth showing up for. Pour Decisions runs at Monica’s Rooftop from Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 7pm, pairing $15 drinks (like the Bloody Shiraz Spritz, Rhubarb and Grapefruit Paloma or a Guinness) with snacks like wagyu tartare and soy cured tuna at $10 a pop. Honestly, worse decisions have been made.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Cocktail bar
Best For: Group dining, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Pour Decisions runs Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 7pm.
Ace Hotel
Arguably the most aesthetic hotel bar in Sydney, Lobby Bar at the Ace Hotel just got even better thanks to a new happy hour that almost too hard to ignore. We’re talking full-size margaritas and olive leaf martinis for just $12 and wines and beers for $7.
And it’s not just about the booze. Sydney Rock Oysters with mignonette for just $2 a pop makes for the perfect pre-dinner date or go all in with the iconic Lobby Cheeseburger (IYKYK) for just $16.
Stick around long enough to see happy hour turn into a late-night boogie, joined by monthly rotating DJ residencies Thursday through to Saturday.
Suburb: Sydney CBD
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Date night, late night
Need To Know: Happy hour runs daily, 4pm to 6pm. Rotating DJ residencies Thursday to Saturday.
Civico 47
Paddington’s chic Italian haunt Civico 47 is bringing a little la dolce vita to your winter afternoons with Aperitivo Hour, running Wednesday to Saturday from 3pm–6pm. Expect $12 wines and prosecco alongside $15 negronis, which honestly, feels like the perfect excuse to clock off early and settle in for a few drinks and snacks inside its cosy confines.
Suburb: Paddington
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Date night, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Aperitivo Hour runs Wednesday to Saturday, 3pm to 6pm.
Love, Tilly Devine
This beloved little wine bar in Darlinghurst is a must-visit for many, but its daily Happy Hour is certainly an incentive (if you needed one). Every day from 5-6pm, the venue serves up $10 wines, $15 classic cocktails and snacks from just $4! Sounds like one hell of a girl dinner to us. We love you… Love, Tilly Devine.
Suburb: Darlinghurst
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Wine bar
Best For: Wine lovers, locals
Need To Know: Happy hour runs daily, 5pm to 6pm.
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.
Plus, the venue has just announced $15 mystery margaritas on Fridays and Saturdays, 9pm until late… tempted?
Suburb: Potts Point
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Bar
Best For: Budget-friendly, group dining
Need To Know: Happy hour runs daily, 4pm to 6pm. Mystery margaritas from $15 on Fridays and Saturdays, 9pm until late.
Penny’s Hotel
We love a long-lasting happy hour and this one is just the ticket. Penny’s Hotel in Potts Point is serving up $15 margaritas, Aperol spritzes and frozen mango daiquiris all day, every day from now until the end of February. No matter the day, drop by and enjoy one of these delicious, summery drinks in the sunshine!
Suburb: Potts Point
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub
Best For: Budget-friendly, group dining
Need To Know: Happy hour runs all day, every day, until the end of February.
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!
Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: French
Best For: Date night, wine lovers
Need To Know: ‘Six Til 6’ deal runs daily, 4pm to 6pm.
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.
Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Locals, group dining
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Monday to Friday, 5pm to 6pm; Friday to Sunday, 4pm to 6pm.
Bar Hanami
Crown Street’s newest speakeasy is making a very strong case for Tuesday drinks. Bar Hanami is a three-level Japanese-inspired bar with a cherry blossom-lit dining room and a hidden whisky dungeon downstairs. Sounds vibey, right? Better yet, it’s running happy hour Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm to 6pm, with $9 house wines, $10 Sapporo and $16 cocktails. Order the Charli San and a plate of wagyu cheeseburger spring rolls while you’re at it… you know you want to.
Suburb: Surry Hills
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Cocktail bar
Best For: Date night, cocktail lovers
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Tuesday to Saturday, 4pm to 6pm.
Best Happy Hours in the Inner West and South Sydney
The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
If Sydney’s soaring beer prices have you clutching your wallet, The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre has your back. Its new ‘Bloody Big Happy Hour’ is serving up $5.99 schooners, $8.99 pints, $7.99 wines, $14 Aperol Spritzes and their iconic $2 dim sims from 4pm–6pm, Monday to Friday… how generous!
Suburb: Marrickville
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub
Best For: Budget-friendly, group dining
Need To Know: Bloody Big Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday, 4pm to 6pm.
Georges River Sailing Club
South Sydney’s waterfront gem, Georges River Sailing Club, is serving up sunset vibes with a new Happy Hour. On Fridays and Saturdays (8–10pm) and Sundays (3–5pm) guests can enjoy $15 cocktails and spritzes (including Espresso Martini, Daiquiri, and Aperol Spritz) plus $10 premium spirits like Grey Goose and Patrón Silver.
Oh, and weekdays aren’t left out either, with pints at schooner prices from 5–7pm Monday to Thursday.
Suburb: Sandringham
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Best For: Waterfront, group dining
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Friday and Saturday, 8pm to 10pm; Sunday, 3pm to 5pm. Weekday pints at schooner prices, Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 7pm.
The Erko
The only thing better than a happy hour is a happy weekend. The Erko serves the happiest of these with $14 Tommy’s margs and $2 oysters on Saturday and Sunday. Bargain.
Suburb: Erskineville
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub
Best For: Budget-friendly, weekend plans
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Saturday and Sunday only.
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!
Suburb: Newtown
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Cheese bar
Best For: Date night, wine lovers
Need To Know: Cheese O’Clock runs Tuesday to Friday, 5pm to 6pm. $40pp for the cheese and wine pairing.
Island Radio
How’s this for a happy hour! Island Radio is offering bargain drinks all day, everyday on Sunday. Think $7 beers, $8 Prosecco’s and $8 wines.
Suburb: Redfern
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Asian
Best For: Budget-friendly, locals
Need To Know: Happy hour runs all day on Sundays only.
Best Happy Hours on the Northern Beaches and North Shore
Harbord Hotel & Bombies
Freshwater’s favourite watering hole, the Harbord Hotel, does a weekday happy hour that’s hard to beat. From 4pm, 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. Plus, upstairs at Bombies, $12 margaritas flow from 6-7pm on Fridays-Sundays.
Suburb: Freshwater
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Outdoor dining, locals, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Monday to Friday, from 4pm. Bombies upstairs runs $12 margaritas, Friday to Sunday, 6pm to 7pm.
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.
Suburb: Manly
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Italian
Best For: Group dining, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Aperitivo hour runs weekends, 4pm to 5pm.
Corretto
With a perfect sunset position overlooking Dee Why Beach coupled with $12 cocktails, $8 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.
Suburb: Dee Why
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Best For: Waterfront, group dining
Need To Know: Happy hour runs daily, 3pm to 6pm. 50% off cocktails on Fridays; weekly steak night special.
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.
Suburb: Crows Nest
Price Guide: $
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, budget-friendly
Need To Know: Happy hour runs Monday to Friday, 4pm to 6pm.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney’s Best Happy Hours
Happy hour timing varies by venue, but most Sydney bars run their deals between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays, with some extending into weekend afternoons or evenings. Besa in Bondi runs Aperitivo Hour from 4pm to 5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, while Georges River Sailing Club offers weekend happy hours from 8pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Checking individual venue hours is worthwhile, since a handful run all-day deals rather than a fixed window.
The Sydney CBD has several strong happy hour options, including Bar Herbs on Clarence Street, which pours $13 martinis and $7 lager daily from 4pm to 6pm, and Letra House, a subterranean bar off Kent Street serving $8 Estrella and $16 martinis alongside Spanish-leaning snacks from 4pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Shell House on Margaret Street also runs multiple happy hour deals across its different bars within the one venue.
Monica’s Rooftop Bar in Paddington is a standout, running Pour Decisions from Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 7pm, with $15 drinks and $10 wagyu tartare bites. The Ace Hotel’s Lobby Bar also offers rooftop-adjacent appeal with $12 margaritas and martinis daily from 4pm to 6pm, alongside $2 oysters.
Yes, several Sydney venues run daily happy hours rather than limiting deals to weekdays. Cantina OK! pours its signature $13 margarita daily from 4pm to 5pm and Penny’s Hotel in Potts Point serves $15 margaritas and spritzes all day, every day.
The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre in Marrickville is among the most budget-friendly, with $5.99 schooners, $8.99 pints, and $2 dim sims from 4pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Le Frérot in Potts Point also offers strong value with $10 cocktails all night on Mondays as part of its M&M Mondays deal.
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.
