Sydney’s nightlife offers a plethora of venues perfect for a memorable date night. Whether you’re looking for an intimate cocktail bar, a lively pub, or a unique drinking experience, it’s all out there. With Bardar, finding the perfect spot for your next date is a breeze. Here’s our guide to some of the best date-night spots in Sydney.
1. Bar Planet
Bar Planet offers a cosmic date-night experience with its celestial-themed décor and inventive cocktails.
Bar Planet is an otherworldly experience, with its celestial-themed décor and inventive cocktails. Located in Enmore, this bar is often busy, and despite the space theme, the ambience is warm and bubbling, with groovy tunes pumping and background conversations filling up this dimly-lit bar nicely. Among the signature drinks are their martinis, as well as the Scorpino – a slushie cocktail made with a weekly rotating gelato.
2. Apollonia
Apollonia is a hidden gem offering a romantic, old-world charm with its Sicilian-inspired cocktails and ambience.
Hidden beneath the streets of Circular Quay, Apollonia is a Sicilian-inspired bar that transports you to another time and place. The bar’s intimate, dimly lit setting and carefully crafted cocktails are perfect for a romantic evening. The old-world charm and luxurious ambience make it a standout as one of the best date-night spots in Sydney.
3. The Dolphin
The Dolphin has great energy, excellent food and decent cocktails, along with all the standard pub options, making it a great option for a more casual date.
The Dolphin in Surry Hills is a modern pub with a stylish edge. It features multiple spaces, including a mini cocktail bar (Bar Red), street seating and a rooftop area. The Dolphin is known for its excellent pizza and standout menu of pub food, as well as better-than-usual cocktails for a pub. The laid-back vibe paired with quality drinks and food ensures a great evening.
4. Bad Mama’s
Bad Mama’s is a funky and eclectic Asian fusion bar with unreal food, live music and great cocktails.
Fitting right into the perfect middle ground of casual and high-end, Bad Mama’s is an unreal bar and restaurant. Pumping old-school hip-hop most of the time, with various live music acts on different days and neon, blade-runner-esque styling, Bad Mama sick setting for a date night of any kind.
5. Alcatraz
Alcatraz is a Spanish bar in Annandale that gives you fantastic options for having a bit of a boogie after a few cocktails and tapas bites.
For a date night that transports you straight to the heart of Spain, look no further than Alcatraz in Annandale. The ‘Traz offers delicious tapas along with a mix of Spanish and Australian wines, and cocktails inspired by Spanish wine mixers like Calimocho and Albariño Mint. Thursdays are particularly special, with Sultry and Sample sessions filling the air with jazz, Latin, and R&B tunes under dim red lights. It’s a sultry setting that’s ideal for an intimate date. On Saturdays, the energy ramps up with El Pazo Mercado, a night of DJs, dancing, and solid party energy. This variety of options makes Alcatraz easily one of the best date-night spots in Sydney.
6. Shady Pines
Shady Pines offers a cozy and rustic date-night spot with its Wild West décor and relaxed atmosphere.
Shady Pines Saloon in Darlinghurst is a Sydney institution, known for its Wild West-inspired décor and welcoming vibe. The bar’s rustic charm, complete with wooden barrels and taxidermy, creates a warm and cozy atmosphere. It’s a laid-back spot where you can enjoy a whiskey or two with your date while soaking in the unique ambience.
7. Cantina OK!
Cantina OK! offers an authentic and vibrant mezcal experience in an intimate, standing-room-only setting.
Cantina OK! is a tiny, 20-cap standing-room-only mezcal bar tucked away in a CBD laneway. Despite its small size, it packs a big punch with its authentic Mexican drinks and vibrant atmosphere. The bartenders are passionate about their craft, creating unique cocktails that showcase the rich flavours of mezcal. It’s a great spot for a quick, lively drink before heading off to your next destination.
8. Menzies Bar
Menzies Bar provides a refined, elegant setting for a sophisticated date night in the heart of the CBD.
Menzies Bar, located within the historic Shell House in the CBD, offers a refined and elegant setting for a sophisticated date night. The bar’s plush interiors and classic cocktails evoke a sense of timeless luxury. It’s the perfect spot for couples looking to enjoy a quiet, upscale evening with excellent service and a touch of old-world charm, which is why we love it as one of the best date-night spots in Sydney.
9. The Courty
The Courty offers a relaxed, no-frills date-night experience with its casual beer garden and friendly atmosphere.
The Courty, short for The Courthouse Hotel, is a beloved Newtown institution with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. The large beer garden is perfect for a relaxed date, offering a casual setting where you can enjoy craft beers and pub fare under the stars. It’s a great spot for couples who prefer a more chilled evening.
10. Ante
Ante provides a tranquil, minimalist setting for an intimate date night with a focus on Sake, whiskey and quality music.
Ante is a minimalist Japanese-inspired bar that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located in Newtown, this bar is known for its curated selection of sake and Japanese whiskies. The simple yet elegant design creates a calming ambience, making it an ideal spot for a quiet, intimate date night focused on good drinks and better conversation.
11. Freda’s
Freda’s offers delicious food and cocktails to go with vibey music and one of Sydney’s finest people-watching destinations.
At Freda’s, everything is delicious. That’s the baseline. Add to that sick tunes from DJs spinning Fri and Sat, and an outdoor seating area that offers a view of Oxford St. and therefore some of Sydney’s finest people-watching, and you’ve got a date-night winner on your hands.
Conclusion
There’s a venue to suit every couple’s taste. With Bardar as your guide, finding the perfect spot for your next date night is simple and stress-free. So, plan your night out, and enjoy the best of what Sydney’s nightlife has to offer. More dates, less stress.
