NOW EXPERIENCING:All the best bars near Sydney Fringe Festival venues
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All the best bars near Sydney Fringe Festival venues

Read time 2 Mins

Posted 28 Aug 2023

By
Lulu Morris

The entry to Where's Nick Wine Bar in Marrickville

Experience everything Sydney has to offer this Fringe Festival with a visit to these Sydney standouts.

It’s that time of year again, Sydneysiders! That’s right, the Fringe Festival is back and it’s bigger than ever. Last year saw the return of its events IRL, and now it’s back again with the team behind it pulling out all the stops. 

New to Sydney Fringe? No worries. The 2023 festival is the largest independent arts festival in New South Wales. In fact, there are more than 450 events spread across 70 different venues in the beautiful Sydney area for the whole month of September. Sydney culture creators, artists and thinkers come together to share their stories in new, creative, experimental and diverse ways. Think things like plays, stand-up, drag shows and performance art. Something for everyone!

Because Sydney Fringe Festival is spread across greater Sydney, with the major hubs including everywhere from the city, The Rocks and Moore Park to the Inner West, western Sydney and the Central Coast, it’s easy to make a day and/or night of it (being arty really builds up one's appetite). For example, if you find yourself a tad on the thirsty or hungry side in Redfern, be sure to check out nearby beachside-inspired newcomer Redfern Surf Club for fun drinks, burgers or even a Chiko Roll. Looking for an after-show bevvie in Newtown? We know a place. Pull up a seat at Earl’s Juke Joint – another Sydney icon. Order a cocktail at the bar and let the team look after you.

In the CBD for Sydney Fringe Festival? Have a tipple at Sydney’s smallest tequila and mezcal bar, Cantina OK! But make sure you get in early before it fills up. Or if you’re closer to The Rocks for the Festival, make the short journey to the new Le Foote for its classic cocktails (check out their minis) and tasty snacks, or perhaps go all out with a meal in their restaurant. 

If you’re hitting up Factory Theatre in Marrickville this Sydney Fringe, grab a Martini from the savvy team at Bar Planet. They are serving up some of the best in town, making this is an ideal pre- or post-show stop. 

Below, we have a bumper list of some of the top bars near all the key areas where Sydney Fringe Festival events are happening.

Best bars near The Rocks
Sydney
Le Foote
This big, bold offering from one of the city’s top operators is revitalising The Rocks. To see why, slip into its epic wine bar for mini classic cocktails, brilliant vino and top-notch snacks.
Sydney
Frank Mac’s
Frank Mac’s tips its hat to the history of The Rocks and the owners’ Irish heritage, and comes complete with live music, Irish Coffees, an epic gin list and Martinis every which way.
Sydney
Maybe Sammy
A suave, 1950s-style cocktail bar in the heart of central Sydney that pours cocktails with polish and more than a little Rat Pack-style panache.
Sydney
The Doss House
A dimly lit den in heritage surrounds that combines an eye for history with a deep interest in all things whisky, but above all it just wants to show you a good time.
Best bars near Darlinghurst
Sydney
Vermuteria
Step off the streets of Kings Cross and into Barcelona at this vivacious, pocket-sized vermouth bar, where welcoming and accomplished staff deliver a slice of European drinking culture.
Sydney
Tio’s Cerveceria
Sydney’s best Margarita bar, Tio’s Cerveceria feels like a jam-packed cantina in Mexico where the drinks are cold, the music is loud and the good times never stop.
Sydney
The Lobo
An underground bar dedicated to exploring the wonders of the wide world of rum, all decked out with lush furnishings, table service and a fondness for fire.
Sydney
The Butler
Lush foliage, palm prints and glorious views over the hazy-blue Sydney city skyline provide the setting for feisty Latin-flavoured eats and drinks at this Potts Point oasis.
Best bars near Chippendale and Redfern
Sydney
The Bearded Tit
Far from an everyday alehouse, The Bearded Tit is a vibrant local hangout and creative hub that loves to think outside the box and attracts an equally colourful crowd.
Sydney
Mjolner Sydney
With a Nordic theme inspired by Thor’s mystical hammer, Mjølner pulls off that rare trick of committing to its shtick while providing great food, better drink and pitch-perfect atmosphere.
Sydney
La Salut
A snappy little Catalonian-inspired wine bar brimming with savoury snacks and Spanish wines, La Salut is a welcome slice of Barcelona in Sydney’s rowdy Redfern.
Best bars near Newtown
Sydney
Earl’s Juke Joint
A firm inner-west favourite that ticks all the boxes, cocktails, beers and wine, and channels the soulful spirit of New Orleans.
Sydney
Bar Planet
This neighbourhood bar by some of the city’s savviest operators celebrates the Martini in cosmic style with a tight list of Antipodean craft spirits served by unfailingly friendly staff.
Sydney
Odd Culture
Bright natural light meets brightness on the palate at this lively neighbourhood restaurant and bar that focuses on fermenting, pickling, yeasts and bubbles with happy results.
Best bars near Marrickville
Sydney
Where’s Nick Wine Bar
This humble little wine bar in Sydney’s inner west flies the flag for all things avant-garde in the wine world, pouring out-of-the-ordinary drinks with a focus on accessibility.
Sydney
Baba’s Place
A pretension-free mash-up of suburban immigrant food and natural-leaning wines in a raucous, welcoming Marrickville warehouse.
Best bars around the CBD
Sydney
Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern
At this self-proclaimed “five-star dive bar”, hidden down a hard-to-find staircase, no-nonsense beers and serious cocktails live happily in highbrow-lowbrow harmony.
Sydney
Cantina OK!
A self-proclaimed “micro mezcal mecca” hiding in plain sight, smack-bang in the centre of the CBD.
Sydney
Bar 83

With retro-fabulous styling and a view that outweighs them all, Sydney Tower’s Bar 83 leans hard into its good looks without forgetting to back it up with the things that count: great food and drinks.

Sydney
Employees Only
The Sydney outpost of a celebrated New York speakeasy, Employees Only brings a slice of glamour to the CBD – and an engaging sense of revelry.
image credits: Top image: Where’s Nick Wine Bar in Marrickville
Authour image
Lulu MorrisLulu is a writer at Dan Murphy’s who loves Pina Coladas, but hates getting caught in the rain.
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