Dani Aneka

Getting caught up in city life and always heading to the same bars and restaurants we know is something we’re all guilty of. Being in the beautiful city of Sydney for a while now (and often sticking to my local neighbourhood of Paddington or Bondi for a night out) I decided it was time to explore and discover some new bars and restaurants a little less well known. Using the online publications Concrete Playground and Timeout I mapped out a bunch of bars to try which are highly rated and only known through word of mouth.

Finishing work in the CBD at 5pm, I couldn’t think of a better place to meet my friend and start the night than Establishment. With its uber chic interior and city worker vibe, this was the perfect place to kick things off. As a Merivale owned bar it was the June happy hour 5-7pm, so we got going with two Espresso Martinis half price! If I’m honest the bar staff were under pressure for the happy hour, so our Martinis didn’t have the best creme, but certainly quenched our thirst after a day in the office.

Next we had a short walk over to The Rook, which after asking a few people we found the entrance to – an elevator at the bottom of what looked like an apartment block. This hidden rooftop did not disappoint with a brilliant wine selection, old school music tunes playing and atmospheric lofty vibe. We guzzled a glass of Montepulciano red wine and were tempted by the delicious aromas of lobster and chips from the kitchen.

Going from rooftop to basement, we walked over to Baxters. With it’s entrance behind an alley and down an old fire escape, this underground speakeasy whiskey bar is super exclusive with a buzzing vibe. The walls behind the bar are stacked ceiling high with hundreds of whiskeys and it feels like a step back in time with the barman climbing the ladders to select your tipple. We couldn’t get enough of the freshly blended apple as a mixer for our whiskey – I won’t have my whiskey any other way now! Hopping next door, we had a quick drink in The Duke of Clarence. This typical British style pub was very warm and cosy and beautifully decorated like the drawing room of an English country home. We enjoyed our glass of wine in front of the warming fire with a bowl of complimentary smoked nuts.

Having completed a good round of the CBD bars, we caught a cab up to Paddington to devour yet another glass of vino at 10 William Street. This small wine bar in the heart of Paddo offers a range of delectable Italian tapas alongside an extensive wine list. A favourite for locals with its intimate yet bustling ambience, it feels like you could’ve stumbled off a street in Europe as you sit knee-to-knee with fellow diners.

Deciding it was time to get some food to soak up the concoctions of wine and cocktails we’d consumed, we visited Cheeky Burger! This late night joint sells simple burgers done well in a trendy American style setting. We halved a veggie mushroom burger and pulled pork burger and it was agreed that the veggie choice was a clear winner! To complete our evening we popped next door to The Paddo Inn to have one last drink. This pub is a local haunt and always busy with regulars no matter what night of the week.

Overall I was happy that we got to explore so many bars off the beaten track which I will be keen to visit again. My favourite find was The Rook with its top secret elevator entrance and offerings of lobster to enjoy alongside that perfect glass of wine. It’s also been a fantastic month for the numerous Merivale bars across Sydney, as they’ve been offering their 49% off drinks 5-7pm everyday throughout the month of June – Bottoms Up Sydney!

Everyone said that Bondi is overrated and so touristy that I wouldn’t like it, but I couldn’t disagree more. The view on the approach from the top of the hill on South Bondi is just breathtaking and never fails to make me smile. I admit it is very busy, however I think this is part of what makes Bondi and in fact Sydney as a whole so great too – the diversity of people from all walks of life who find themselves in this paradise.

On the weekends during summer there’s always events happening on the front and nothing beats a Sunday afternoon drink at one of the many bustling bars after a day on the beach. My favourite hangout is the popular Bucketlist, located right in the centre of Bondi Beach with casual dining and fantastic cocktail pitchers. Later into the evening there are a number of other cool hangouts to party into the early hours including Hotel Bondi and the highly rated Ravesis. Not forgetting the famous Icebergs Bar on the cliff at South Bondi overlooking the expanse of the beach and blue ocean, perfect for sunset drinks whilst watching the surfers catch the last waves of the day.

How could I not mention the abundance of health food cafes and restaurants in Bondi too, selling beautiful foods that are as much of an art to look at as they are delicious to eat. Of course my favourite smoothie bowls and particularly acai bowls are sold everywhere and it’s hard to go wrong in choosing where to go. My favourite for an acai on the run is Acai Brothers Bondi. This gem is hidden in the neighbourhood of North Bondi and attracts locals with its friendly staff and super yummy, thick acai bowls which can be personalised to your taste with all sorts of toppings. My favourite is the original acai topped with banana, strawberries, kiwis and burkini grain. For a more substantial bowl to graze over when you have more time, Bare Bowls located in Bronte and Manly is the other place I choose to get my acai fix.

The Bondi beach walk is another absolute must! Simply follow the coast path and beach hop around to Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, Gordans Bay and finally Coogee. It’s the best way to enjoy the stunning coastline with hidden rocks and caves to explore and if you’re lucky you might even spot dolphins or a whale. A trip to the Coogee Pavillion for drinks and dinner would be the ideal way to complete the day and soak up those final rays of sun at golden hour.