Bar 83 has recently opened on the top floor of Sydney Tower, making it Australia’s highest bar. As you’d expect, 83 floors up and with floor to ceiling glass, it has sweeping views of the city and harbour.

The decor is definitely something out of the Jetsons, channeling a 1970’s view of the future vibe.

The food menu is very limited and fairly expensive (found I couldn’t quite bring myself to spend $26 on a sausage roll). With a 2 hour maximum seating at the moment, it’s somewhere you’d for a pre or post dinner drink rather than spending an evening.

There is a good size wine list, with 5 sparkling, white, rose and reds available by the glass and twice that many by the bottle. It’s a little hard to work out what price point they are trying to hit with the drinks, a glass of chardonnay is $18 and a roussane $21 but there is a sauvignon blanc for $13.

The website indicates there’s a minimum spend of $30 per person, but on the night we went we only had one drink each and this didn’t seem to be problem.

The wait staff are all very friendly, but it seems as if none of them have ever worked in hospitality before (or given any training), which is very strange given the number of hospitality staff currently out of work.

There were a multitude of staff walking the floor, but none of them were interested in serving us. We waited more than 20 minutes to order a drink. During that time we watched staff clear and clean at least 10 empty tables. Once we finally go to to order, there was a fair wait before the drinks arrived and another wait while they brought back the right wine.

My verdict, worth a visit for the great views and funky decor, but be prepared to be patient. To make the most of it, book in advance and request a table at the window.

https://www.bar83sydneytower.com.au/

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Zephyr Bar is an upmarket bar on the 12th floor of the Hyatt Regency in Sussex Street. Open and airy, it has great views over Darling Harbour.

On a Friday night it’s a mix of people in their suits who’ve come for an after work drink and those that have dressed up to come into the city for a big night out.

You can book a table in advance and if you are planning on heading there on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s definitely advisable.

The emphasis is on cocktails, with the cocktail menu running to 6 pages. It includes some imaginative twists on classics, such as Salted Coconut Espresso, Passionfruit Mojito, Blood Orange Margarita and Pink Grapefruit Martini.

There is a page of the bar’s own signature creations, as well as a page dedicated to Soft Serve Icecream cocktails. These are definitely cocktails which can’t quite make up their mind whether they are desserts or drinks.

My friend orders the Berry Mix (pictured above) which consists of raspberry gin, raspberry liqueur, strawberry puree, blueberry, lime juice, served over vanilla soft serve ice cream in a martini chiller glass with fresh raspberry and popping candy.

Even though she has a very sweet tooth she’s not quite sure she is a fan. So definitely not one to order if your usual cocktail is a margarita or something else sour. Apart from that the other cocktails we tried were all pretty good.

There’s a reasonable wine list, with 5 whites and 5 reds by the glass plus some bubbles and a rose. Prices aren’t cheap, most of the glasses are $17-20 and the bottles $75 and upwards, but that’s expected given it’s in a 5 star hotel and there’s table service. You are actively discouraged from heading to the bar yourself, but expect a long wait to attract a waitress’ attention and an even longer wait for your drinks.

If you find yourself staying longer than you intended, there is a selection of bar snacks available, which run the gauntlet from healthy (fresh oysters and sashimi) to something to soak up the alcohol (chicken karaage, soft shell crab tacos and tempura prawns).

Overall verdict, if you want somewhere upmarket with a view where you can easily while away a few hours, here is the place to be. If what you’re after is a seriously good cocktails with great service and don’t plan to linger (as it’s standing room only, no seating), head instead a block or so up the road to Cantina OK!:

Hyatt Regency Sydney

Level 12
161 Sussex St
Sydney NSW 2000

Tel: +61 2 8099 1234

Monday – Thursday: 4pm to late
Friday – Sunday: 12pm to late

Cantina OK! would have to be one of the most unlikely bars in Sydney, but somehow it just seems to work.

It’s tiny. There are no stools or chairs, as there simply isn’t room. Some of the reviews say it has a capacity of 20 but on the day we were there, they were only letting in around 12 people, with 3 of those standing on the pavement outside and it’s difficult to see how any more people could be squeezed in.

Then there’s the location, it’s literally in a garage down a nondescript laneway off Clarence Street between Market and King. So the only way to find your way there is if you’ve gone looking for it.

But the fact that on a Saturday afternoon at 4.30pm which isn’t exactly cocktail hour we had to queue for 20 minutes is a testament to the fact it is does work.

What makes it work? I’ts a combination of things. The barman all genuinely seem to love their jobs. It has quirky touches; the walls are bright pink and purple and the ice in the cocktails is carved in front of you from a giant block using a vintage Nepalese ice carving machine. And definitely not least, the cocktails are seriously good.

It has credibility as a Mexican Bar, as it’s run by my the same people as another well known and very popular Mexican Bar, Tio’s in Surry Hills: https://tios.com.au/

Broadsheet recently voted it (after 2 years of research) as having the best margaritas in Sydney:

https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/food-and-drink/article/this-sydneys-best-margarita

I’ll agree the margaritas are damned good. I probably wouldn’t vote it the best margarita I’ve had in Sydney, but that’s only because I am totally biased toward margaritas with a chilli kick.

It’s definitely good quality drinks and service with a smile.

https://cantinaok.com.au/

Council Place Sydney
Open 7 days 4pm – late

Finally someone has realised what we absolutely need in Sydney is a bar which is a cross between Indiana Jones and a Thai Island. Saga is that bar. Hidden behind two carved wooden doors in a back alley near Kensington Street in Chippendale, Saga is another world oasis.

It’s exposed beams, lanterns and vines across the walls and a water feature with a giant Buddha head. Definitely not your every day Sydney bar.

There is a cocktail list which changes from week to week, an extensive spirits list and a good selection of wines by the glass and bottle. Prices are on par with other Sydney bars, with cocktails around $20 and glasses of wine around $15.

The food menu is fairly limited as it’s probably more the kind of place where you’d go for a drink (or three) before heading to one of the multitude of restaurants around the corner in Kensington Street. Having said that, the food we did try (chicken riblets with szechuan and Kingfish ceviche) was very good.

The bar is relatively small and I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this is going to be my new favourite bar so book in advance if you want to be sure of getting a table.

https://www.saga.bar/

49-51 Goold St Chippendale