Love whiskey? Then you’d better head to Sydney for it is the city that arguably leads Australia when it comes to the water of life.
Over the last decade, several wonderful bars have popped up around the city serving up whiskies from all over the world.
Whether your tipple of choice originates from Scotland or Ireland. Or if you prefer something from the USA or Japan, there is a joint in the Emerald City that offers plenty of their labels.
Granted you might need to head into a dingy basement or venture into a dimly lit alleyway to find them, but here are 15 of the best whiskey bars in Sydney you simply have to visit.
1. Whisky Room
Set in the heart of Crown Street, on top of the iconic Clock Hotel, you’ll find the Whisky Room.
One of the city’s more unpretentious drinking establishments, this refined whiskey bar is renowned for offering a wide selection of labels. Many of which you have probably never heard of.
All up they have more than 200 brands available. Sourced from the likes of Scotland, Ireland, Taiwan, Japan, the USA, New Zealand and Australia, they represent a wide gamut of flavour profiles to suit all palettes.
One of the best things about this bar is that its menu features history notes about each label. This allows you to pick the one you most like the sound of based on what you have read.
Located in: The Clock
Address: 470 Crown St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Hours: Wed – Sat 5 pm – 12 am, Sun 12 am – 10 pm
Phone: (02) 9331 5333
2. Earl’s Juke Joint
Whilst it is not technically a whisky bar per se – more like a general bar – Earl’s at Newtown offers a fantastic selection.
Many of them are rare brands which they rotate on a regular basis to keep whisky lovers coming back for more.
Proudly exhibiting a huge back bar, their bar staffs are experts in all things spirits and cocktails.
They also offer a massive selection of lagers and ales. Which include everything from craft beers made by independent labels to world-famous international staples.
Address: 407 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Hours: Tue – Sun 6 pm – 12 am
3. Bancho
Located within the heart of the CBD, Bancho is a cool whiskey bar in Chinatown that presents a terrific selection of Scottish and Japanese choices.
If you are an aficionado of the water of life some of the options you might want to try to include Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve, Hakushu 18-year-old, Mars Tsunuki Peated and Hibiki 30-year-old. Many of their bottlings are independent and rare so you will be in for a treat.
As well as whiskey they also offer an excellent range of sake and cocktails. Their delicious bar snacks complement these offerings perfectly.
Address: 10 Thomas Ln, Haymarket NSW 2000
Hours: Tue 4 – 11 pm, Wed – Thur 4 pm – 12 am, Fri – Sat 4 pm – 1 am
Phone: (02) 8097 9512
4. Tokyo Bird
An institution in Surry Hills, Tokyo Bird champions Japanese culture and in particular their whisky.
Located within a former industrial area, this small venue is tucked away on the corner of Commonwealth and Belmore Street.
Once you find it you will be presented with an excellent range of choices that hail from the Land of the Rising Sun.
If you are hungry, be sure to try out their sumptuous Japanese food menu. Its mouth-watering range of katsu nuggets, miso eggplant and delectable meat skewers, will make your tastebuds sing just as much as the alcohol will.
At some point in your night there, be sure to try one of their delightful whiskey-inspired cocktails too.
Address: Commonwealth St &, Belmore Ln, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Wed 4 – 11 pm, Thur 4 pm – 11:30 pm, Fri – Sat 4 pm – 12 am
Phone: (02) 8880 9971
5. The Baxter Inn
If you love whiskey then a trip to The Baxter Inn is something you simply must schedule.
You might have a job finding it, as it is tucked away in a basement on an alleyway off Clarence Street in the CBD. But once you are there you will find yourself in a cool candlelit space that evokes memories of the legendary gangs of Boston and New York.
Specialising in whisky, the bar features more labels than you knew existed. Infact its collection is believed to be the largest in the whole of the Southern Hemisphere.
The venue features well-presented bartenders that don crisp white aprons. Highly knowledgeable about the good stuff, they pour labels that come from the four corners of the globe.
There is even a secret cellar on the premises that produce its own house-aged product which is well worth trying when you fancy something different.
Address: 152-156 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon – Sat 4 pm- 1 am
6. Shady Pines Saloon
The O.G. of whiskey bars in Sydney, the Shady Pines Saloon was the pioneer of small, independent whisky bars in the Emerald City.
Focusing specifically on labels that hail from North America, they offer a terrific range of whiskey which is often served to you by a team of (often topless) male bar staff who are very adept at pouring it.
Known just as much for the great music they play, they also dish out free peanuts with their drinks as well.
Address: 4/256 Crown St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Hours: Mon – Sun 4 pm – 12 am
Phone: 0405 624 944
7. J & M
Any list of the best-related alcohol institutions in Sydney needs to include somewhere from Merivale.
When it comes to whiskey J & M should deservedly feature on the list.
Set within a tiny, yet relaxed space, you’ll find this charming joint on top of The Angel Hotel.
Back in the 70s it was the site of a fashion boutique owned by John and Merivale Hemmes – hence the abbreviated name.
Amongst its big drinks menu, a massive selection of whisky takes centre stage. Their cocktails are also pretty darn good too and their service is second to none.
Address: 1 Angel Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Wed – Fri 5 pm – 12 am
Phone: (02) 9114 7326
8. Bulletin Place Bar
There are few better places for the whiskey lover to head to in Sydney than the Bulletin Place Bar.
Found within the CBD, the drinks menu changes on a regular basis, which means there is always something different to try whenever you go.
If you go there twice within a week you’ll most likely find different options. But keep your eyes peeled for whiskey cocktails like the Mandalorian which comes with coffee, bitters and blood plum.
The delicious Nectarine Dream is another to try when you are there.
Located in: 7 Macquarie Place
Address: Level 1/10-14 Bulletin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Wed – Thur 5 – 11 pm, Fri – Sat 5 pm – 12 am
Phone: (02) 8069 5433
9. Shirt Bar
A popular venue within the International Towers in Barangaroo, there is no place quite like the Shirt Bar.
Originally opened in Sussex Lane back in 2011, this establishment is all about tailoring, sharp suits, great food, java and sensational dark spirits.
Their extensive whiskey menu boasts 18-year-old Mortlach among many other choices while their exceptional food menu incorporates everything from King Prawns to Haloumi for your gastronomic pleasure.
Located in: International Towers
Address: Tower 1, Corner Scotch Row and, Shipwright Walk, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Hours: Mon – Tue 8 am – 4 pm, Wed – Thur 8 am – 10 pm, Fri 8 am – 12 am
Phone: (02) 9299 5958
10. Stitch Bar
You will regularly find the Stitch Bar featured on many lists of the best bars in Sydney. So it is only natural it should appear on this list.
Drawing inspiration from the late-night diners of New York, this bustling vintage bar dishes up a good range of whiskies and cocktails and a spectacular food menu of tacos, hot dogs and burgers.
In terms of tipples, the Midnight Express and Louisville Slugger are two options to look out for. We would highly recommend the Gold Digger as well which is a terrific combination of whiskey sour, chocolate liqueur and honey, which is enhanced by burnt coconut and the nuttiness of Amaretto.
Address: 61 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon – Wed 5 pm – 12 am, Thur – Sat 5 pm – 2 am
Phone: (02) 9279 0380
11. The Doss House
A visit to the Doss House is like a trip back in time.
Nestled within The Rocks, this quaint venue presents a retro aesthetic which is characterised throughout it.
Offering a complete selection of spirits and cocktails, their drinks are served with a healthy dose of period charm, as befitting of one of Sydney’s oldest suburbs.
Some of the enticing choices available to you include the charmingly named highballs, as well as the Julep of Ireland and Whiskey Lemon Cheesecake. The latter of which comprises Slaine Irish Whiskey, and lemon incorporated in three different ways.
Whiskey cocktails include the Julep of Ireland, highballs, and a
Address: 77/79 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Hours: Tue – Thurs & Sun 4 pm – 12 am, Fri – Sat 4 pm – 1 am
Phone: 0457 880 180
12. The Wild Rover
Apparently up to a third of the population of Australia have Irish heritage. In Sydney, there is no better place to celebrate this than at The Wild Rover.
Nestled within Campbell Street in Surry Hills, they specialise in perfectly poured Guinness and an exceptional range of Irish whiskey.
The bar is also known for its mouth-watering lamb sausage rolls and you’ll definitely be singing that Shakin’ Stevens song as you walk through their ‘Green Door’.
Address: 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Tue – Sat 4 pm – 12 am
Phone: (02) 9280 2235
13. Uncle Mings
Hidden within the Ferrier Hare on a York Street basement floor, Uncle Mings is well known in Sydney for its dumplings, cocktails and Japanese whiskey.
The bar was inspired by a nefarious Shanghai policeman, who allegedly embarked on a life of crime which saw him extort protection money from local opium traders.
After being forced to leave China, he settled in Sydney in the 1920s and set up a local hangout for the Chinese community to congregate and drink.
Today the popular venue welcomes all comers. They also claim to have one of Australia’s most extensive ranges of Japanese Whiskies.
Safe to say, what they don’t stock is not worth having.
Located in: Ferrier Hare
Address: Basement/49 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon – Thur 12 pm- 12 am, Fri 12 pm – 1 am, Sat 4 pm -1 am
14. The Roosevelt
Over in Pott’s Point, The Roosevelt is a splendid whiskey bar that presents a glamorous throwback to
days gone by.
Their well-considered alcoholic beverage menu is complimented by a top-notch range of dishes which are fit for royalty.
Although best known for its superb cocktails, this lavish space stock a terrific selection of whiskies from all over the world.
Address: Ground Floor/32 Orwell St, Potts Point NSW 2011
Hours: Tues – Fri 4 pm – 12 am, Sat 3 pm – 12 am, Sun 3 – 10 pm
Phone: 0423 203 119
15. Grain
Since it first opened its doors in 2012, The Grain Bar has been pouring out some of the best top-shelf whiskies in Sydney.
Falling under the umbrella of the Four Seasons Hotel, this George Street establishment presents several bottles from most of the world’s major distilling regions. This includes Scotland, the USA, Japan and Taiwan.
Such is their range, you could consider yourself a true whiskey lover if you can’t find something you’ve never tried before.
Radiating an air of sophistication and elegance, the venue is a beautiful place to enjoy a drink.
If whiskey is not your thing, then their inventive range of cocktails should provide you with plenty of choices that will tickle your tastebuds.
Address: 199 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Wed – Sat 4 – 11 pm
Phone: (02) 9250 3118