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Not quite dinner, not just drinks. These Sydney bars strike the perfect balance with standout cocktails and snacks worth ordering a second round for.
Sometimes all you need is a really great drink and something delicious to nibble on. Across Sydney, bars are elevating the in-between, pairing crisp martinis with oysters, natural wines with just-baked focaccia, and spicy margaritas with perfectly shareable small plates.
It’s not quite dinner but it’s not just drinks; it’s that sweet spot where the snacks are just as considered as the cocktail list. From CBD cocktail dens and Surry Hills wine bars to breezy harbourside terraces, these are the spots to settle in, order broadly and let the night unfold.
Arms Length
Tucked away with a speakeasy edge, Arms Length has been killing it on social media lately and you’ve likely already seen them on TikTok or Instagram. The vibes here are unmatched, with a big tree overhanging the outdoor deck and a deceptively large indoor space that just seems to keep going.
The venue has absolutely nailed the sips and snacks brief, with a range of rotating weekly offerings that are just too good to pass up. Our favourite is the Thursday night mini meal deal which offers one cocktail and one snack for just $15 (think a Gin Martini paired with a fresh oyster and a Paloma paired with fries). If this is the way you love to eat and drink then you’ll absolutely love it. Plus, everyone knows that Thursday is the new Friday, so it’s the perfect excuse to catch up with friends. We’ll save you a seat.
7 Kellett St, Potts Point NSW 2011
Bar Conte City
Bar Conte is Australia’s first dedicated Negroni bars and has been showcasing Italian aperitivo culture since it opened in 2021. Then, in 2025, it opened an outpost in the CBD for the after-work drinkers. As the name implies, Negronis are the star here, so you can choose from 30+ variations that go well beyond the classic, from mezcal-leaning twists to Campari-forward riffs and rare Italian vermouths you won’t find anywhere else.
The food isn’t an afterthought either. Think charcuterie and Negroni-infused salami, burrata caprese and freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters to pair with a well-made cocktail. We wouldn’t sleep on the house-made focaccia with olive oil but that’s just personal preference. The venue also hosts an aperitivo hour from 4-6pm daily where you can enjoy a spritz for $16 and wine for $10, if you really needed another excuse to drop in.
151 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
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Love, Tilly Devine
A Darlinghurst favourite for effortlessly cool cocktails and refined small plates, Love, Tilly Devine has built its reputation on a solid drinks list and a buzzing late-night atmosphere.
The menu changes depending on what’s seasonal, so it’s hard to know exactly what you’ll be getting, but it will definitely appeal to anyone who enjoys a bold flavour and the chance to try something new. We’re currently thinking about the sardine sandwich, the beef tartare with crisps and the pigs head sausage on a potato bun. But, if you’d prefer to stick to what you know, there’s plenty of meats, breads, cheeses and olives for a little DIY charcuterie plate.
If the weather’s nice, be sure to pull up a seat outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the street.
91 Crown Ln, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Caravin
Tucked along a leafy Potts Point strip, Caravin is the kind of low-lit, Euro-leaning wine bar you wander into for one glass and leave several snack plates later. The focus here is small-batch and minimal-intervention drops, with a tight, rotating list that champions local and international producers who excel in chilled skin-contact whites and light, juicy reds.
On the food front, it’s all about refined-but-relaxed plates. Think freshly shucked oysters, silky beef tartare with crisp shards for scooping, and warm focaccia served with whipped butter or anchovy. The vibe is intimate, softly buzzing and effortlessly cool, making it one of those transformative places that makes it feel like you’re somewhere else entirely.
Shop 2/9 Ward Ave, Potts Point NSW 2011
Did you enjoy this piece? Why not check out Sydney’s best new bars or the pubs serving deliciously upscale eats.
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