The Best Bars in The Rocks for Every Occasion
From underground cocktail dens to buzzy brewpubs steeped in history - sip your way through the best bars in The Rocks.
Sydney’s most iconic tourist precinct blends the city’s humble beginnings with a modern and continuously changing skyline. And, with the beautiful Sydney Harbour as its backdrop, The Rocks is naturally brimming with sleek cocktail bars, historic pubs, and alfresco lounges boasting some of the best views around. Whatever you're in the mood for, The Rocks will have it.
To help you with your scenic selection, we’ve narrowed down the best bars in The Rocks to nab a table.
Maybe Sammy
Maybe Sammy is the first cocktail bar from the brains behind Sydney's enduringly popular pizza hangout, Maybe Frank. With an award-winning bartending team, look forward to exceptional hotel bar-style service, interiors influenced by 1950s Hollywood and Vegas glamour, and a cocktail list that oozes elegance — Maybe Sammy has got it all.
Eight signature cocktails lead the main drinks list; all a modern interpretation of classic cocktails delivered with theatrical flair, and each named after some of the Rat Pack’s favourite haunts. Vintage Champagnes make their mark on the wine list alongside an international assortment of tasty blends. The beers are an all-Australian line-up and there’s also a healthy selection of spirits to choose from too.
115 Harrington Street, The Rocks
The Glenmore Hotel
This oldie boasts some of the best harbour views in the area, plus it has a retractable roof! The Glenmore Hotel offers gourmet pub grub that will satiate all cravings as they live and breathe the mantra, ‘classic pub food with a twist’. But it's the electric atmosphere that you really can't beat with tourists and locals alike all flocking here for a golden hour bevvie.
96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
The Squire’s Landing
What better way to spend a Sydney evening, than getting stuck into beer and cheeses against the backdrop of some of the city's finest landmarks? Offering Quayside views (without the Quay price tag), The Squire's Landing is one of the best bars in The Rocks to indulge in batch beers, brewed on-site in their microbrewery.
Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay Way, The Rocks
Alice
Sophisticated and seductive, Alice is a cocktail bar below a historic bond store in The Rocks. Descend the ambient staircase lined with rich velvet and enter and intimate space with jewel tones and gold accents that channel vintage glamour. The cocktail menu blends twists on classics with signature showstoppers including the Spicy Calavera with mezcal, lime, pineapple, chili, and coriander (say what you will, we love it!) or the Salted Mac Irish Coffee with a macadamia-washed Connemara and a cream float.
Sharing cocktails are served in bespoke crystal or you could keep it classy with a flute of French champagne. The bar menu takes inspiration from Alice’s sister venues – Rockpool Bar & Grill and Spice Temple – so you can pair a cocktail with chicken parfait profiteroles, beef empanadas or the fanciest grilled cheese you’ve ever seen.
16 Argyle Street, The Rocks
Frank Mac’s
Frank Mac’s, a vibrant gin-obsessed cocktail haunt, has set up shop in The Rocks. With a bar stocked with well over one hundred juniper blends from all corners of the globe and a cosy intimate atmosphere, the bar itself is a nod to co-owner Ciara’s great uncle Frank Mac, a cheeky colourful chap who was a staple at his village bar in Ireland. Our favourite cocktail would have to be ‘Tip of the Hat’, a summer-time twist on the Irish coffee with Slane Irish whiskey, ST. Ali Orthodox coffee and smoked cascara syrup.
83 George Street, The Rocks
Grain
Four Seasons’ very moody, dimly-lit bar known as Grain, is a frequented watering hole near Circular Quay. Based beside the entrance of the hotel, the humble bar boasts bespoke craft beers and an impressive organic and biodynamic wine list. For those desiring a more potent dash of alcohol, there’s a wide range of international whiskies and classic cocktails with contemporary twists.
199 George Street, Sydney
The Doss House
Giving life to its historic digs, this ex-boarding house and opium den is now a cosy underground bar known as The Doss House. With a range of over 150 whiskies, you can decide to pair your drink with a delectable morsel from the share plate menu. This character-filled bar is a must-visit for history buffs, whisky enthusiasts and bar lovers alike.
77 – 79 George Street, The Rocks
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
An oldie but a goodie, Sydney’s oldest continuously licensed pub, the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, is now also an award-winning brewery. Historic and trendy at once, the pub has an old-world English charm, harbour views, and a loyal bunch of locals.
Sip on one of the six 100% natural award-winning mainstay ales or sample one of their smaller batch seasonal pours - all of which have been brewed in-house. If beer isn’t your thing, opt for the fruity Nelson Nudie cocktail instead.
19 Kent St, The Rocks
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