Sydney's 10 Best Bar Experiences
First dates, kick-offs and bare belly shots... Myffy Rigby limbers up the gullet and throws herself on the booze grenade to deliver Sydney's 10 best bar experiences whatever the occasion
1 First date
Bennelong Bar
What a view. Settle back into the lush seats and stare out to the harbour's twinkling lights and worry not, you're in dim lighting, so can't possibly look bad. Share a plate of crab sandwiches - word is chef Guillaume Brahimi has his apprentices pick the meat out of the shell while it's scalding - and a glass of Champagne. Perfect.
Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, 2000. (02 9250 7548)
2 Pre-dinner
Mille Vini
There are a thousand wines available - hence
the name. The Italian-heavy wine list offers plenty by the glass like
the sweet, bulky primitivo that goes very well with a hunk of their
bitey, crumbly parmesan and there's a also a fun, frisky pinot grigio
if white's more your thing.
397 Crown St, Surry Hills 2010 (02 9357
3366)
3 Post-dinner
Bentley Bar
The
antidote to a bad meal and a great way to round off a good one. Nick
Hildebrandt is a total wine freak. You might even say he's meta-human
with his super keen nose for strange grape varietals and sonic vision,
picking out people walking into the bar specifically to use the toilet
rather than order something from the fascinating list.
320 Crown
St,?Surry Hills 2010. (02 9332 2344)
4 Sport
Madam DeBiers
Right in the heart of the street walkers, backpackers, tobacconists and kebab shops, the Madame is showing live action from all the major sporting events on five different screens including a huge plasma. Catch the big acts including this week's Collingwood v Adelaide duel.
42 Darlinghurst Rd,?Kings Cross 2011. (02 9331 5544)
5 Lads' night
Strike Bowling Bar
Cold beer, pizza and bowling. What more could you want? They take hilarious pictures of your bowling action and there's a karaoke room for when you can no longer bowl straight. Make a Big Lebowski night of it and drink a White Russian while you're there. "Am I wrong!?"
King Street Wharf 2000. (1300 787 453)
6 Ladies' night
Foveaux Bar
Have the very handsome Julian Serna wheel over the Belvedere personal bar and watch as the drinks are made at your table. The bar is dark, underground and totally cool with a team of bar staff who love to make all manner of cocktails but are also ever-so willing to keep the Champagne flowing.
67 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills 2010. (02 9211 0664)
7 Cocktail
Bayswater Brasserie
If you're serious about your cocktails, then it behooves one to visit the establishment recognised as the best. Charlie Ainsbury and his team have an encyclopaedic knowledge of everything boozy and there's not a cocktail on this great planet they can't make. Recently voted in the top ten bars on the planet, it's truly world class.
19-33 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point 2011. (02 9357 2177)
8 Music
In Situ
All the casual cool of a beach side bar with a world class group of bartenders giving the booze the biz. Just as skilled with a bottle opener as they are with a cocktail shaker, sit back with a cold beer or Cuba Libre and enjoy the regular live music.
Shop 1, 18-34 Sydney Rd, Manly 2095. (02 9977 0669)
9 Karaoke
Karaoke World
The best karaoke bar for shaking a maraca and singing so loudly and closely into the microphone the feedback deafens the room. They are also the people to go to for one of those giant cans of Sapporo we're so fond of - and there's a grouse music selection.
185 Elizabeth St, 2000. (02 9267 5011)
10 Shots
Café Pacifico
Rack 'em up and knock 'em down. With 50 different tequilas to choose from ranging in price from $5 to $50 and veering between a myriad of styles (some are for sipping, others for shooting, others ease suicidal tendencies), you're in good hands.
95 Riley St, Darlinghurst, 2010. (02 9360 3811)