Photographer: Andrea Velton
There’s nothing better than an early knock-off – especially when the sun sets at 7pm and it’s warm enough to while away hours people watching from your streetside table or rooftop stool, wine in hand, nibbles on the way.
And now, some of Sydney’s best restaurants and bars are giving us another reason to close our laptop screens promptly, offering snack-forward menus and discounted drops for happy hour.
From Euro-leaning white tablecloth wine bars to waterfront institutions, these are our top picks for where to enjoy golden hour in Sydney. Salut!
Top places to drink (and snack) in Sydney for golden hour:
Letra House
When it comes to a tight wine list and top-tier plates, the Love Tilly Group never fail to deliver. You’ll find Letra House – the underground restaurant and late-night wine bar – beneath the equally charming Palazzo Salato in the heart of the CBD.
And if you wander in between 4pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, you can slide into a banquette and order $5 gildas and croquetas; $10 pintxos and $15 plates of patatas laced with jamón or mussels escabeche to your heart’s content.
To drink, don’t skip the $8 serves of vermouth and sangria or Estrellas. Or live out your cosmopolitan dreams with a $16 martini or Cobble Cobbles (a spicy, fruity and zesty number.)
Book ahead or try your luck walking in.
When: Monday to Saturday: 4pm – 6pm
Poly
Break bread – not the bank – at Surry Hills neighbourhood wine bar, Poly. Apolytivo hour sees wine, beers, cocktails and signature snacks from $5, including the famed crispy fried potato with salted egg yolk.
When: Monday to Thursday: 5pm – 6pm; Friday: 4pm – 6pm
Claret Club
Stanley Street’s most romantic new wine bar and restaurant – opened by two Sydney sommeliers – is sweetening the deal further with the introduction of its aperitivo hour. From 4pm to 5:30pm Tuesday to Friday, you can dine alfresco with $10 wines, Negronis, Martinis and Spritzes, joined by $5 snacks which might feature the likes of crispy pigs head croquettes or gnocco fritto with sage, aioli and anchovy.
When: Tuesday to Friday: 4pm – 5:30pm
The Waratah
This reimagined Darlinghurst corner spot delivers on its promise to “keep both you and your wallet full” with its golden hour. Slink into the ground floor for a $15 Waratah Spritz, $9 beer or $11 wine, and order a lobster roll ($12) to tide you over until dinner.
When: Monday to Sunday: 4pm – 6pm
Caness
At this charismatic Middle-Eastern-meets-Mediterranean tapas bar in Paddington, a little goes a long way. Enjoy a range of pintxos and snacks from $7, including housemade Shawarma crisps with Manchego. Drinks-wise, get house vermouth or wine from $8, as well as an array of cocktails from $14.
When: Tuesday to Friday: 4pm – 5:30pm
Catalina
Take happy hour up a notch at waterfront fine diner, Catalina. Sit back with a classic cocktail in hand while you enjoy half a dozen freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters with red wine and eschalot vinegar; lime chilli and tobiko, or tempura. Cocktails and oysters start at $20.
When: Monday to Thursday: 3pm – 6pm
Osteria Luna
This dimly lit underground Italian diner beneath The Charles Brasserie & Bar offers sultry vibes and delicious dishes, courtesy of its ex-Ragazzi, Eleven Barrack and Letra House chefs. Order re-imagined classics — think lasagne fritti and meatball sandwiches — starting from $2, complemented by $5 mini cocktails, $12 house wines or a $15 Spritz.
When: Monday to Saturday: 5pm – 7pm
Loulou (Martin Place)
The only thing better than people watching is people watching in the city after work. Pull up a seat at one of Loulou Martin Place’s tablecloth-clad kerbside tables while you enjoy escargot swimming in a pesto-like oil and creamy oysters at $2 a pop. After something more substantial? The $18 cheeseburger with frites will do the trick, perfect when paired with a $15 Burgundy wine or $13 mini Martini – a fair warning from us, these are strong.
When: Monday to Saturday: 4pm – 7pm
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Pulling up a seat at Rockpool’s bar is always a good idea but there’s an even better reason now. RP Hour hits the bar for two hours every weekday between 4pm and 6pm, with $12 Martinis, wines by the glass for $15 and reasonably priced snacks.
When: Monday to Friday: 4pm – 6pm
Shell House Sky Bar
Continuing Sydney’s salty trend for cheap-as-chips molluscs, Shell House‘s Sky Bar has expanded its Golden Hour offer to include everyone’s favourite shelled critter: the oyster. Between 4pm to 6pm every Tuesday to Saturday, guests can get oysters for $2, a signature prawn katsu sando for $15 and a Margarita for $15. Bookings are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Golden, indeed.
When: Tuesday to Saturday: 4pm – 6pm
The Wine Bar at The International
The Wine Bar at The International has hit its stride, offering its Sips + Snacks happy hour every Monday to Saturday between 4pm to 6pm. Sip a selection of killer cocktails, wines and beers, along with snacks like gildas, oysters and jamón with crisps — all under $12. We’ll cheers to that.
When: Monday to Saturday: 4pm – 6pm
Jane
At Jane in Surry Hills, where founder Tristan Rosier emphasises that his Australiano Hour offers the same dishes you get at regular service, just in a cheaper, more snackable form. “You can get our kangaroo tartare, which is a signature, or $3 oysters with a punchy guava vinaigrette, with the exact same oysters we normally use,” he says. “Quality for us is paramount, not just cutting the price.” Must-orders include the lamb dumplings and creatively grilled cucumbers. Run, don’t walk.
When: Monday to Wednesday: 5pm – 6pm; Thursday to Sunday: 4pm – 6pm
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