16 Best Whisky Bars in Sydney (2026 Edition)

You might need to wander down some dimly lit alleys or knock open some unmarked doors to discover Sydney’s best whisky bars, but we can assure you it’s well worth the effort. Maybe you like a sweet and potent shot of America’s finest bourbon, or maybe you’re more slanted towards a fine Scottish single malt whisky that’s old enough to order itself a whisky. Whatever your flavour, our list of the best whisky bars in Sydney will cater to your every malt, grain and wheat-based whim.

We’ve recently audited this list to ensure all our favourite haunts are still pouring, while adding a few spectacular newcomers that have recently elevated Sydney’s whisky scene to new heights.

Best Whisky Bars in Sydney Overview

Highlights from our list include the following options:

Bar	Location	Best For	Whisky Focus
The Baxter Inn	CBD (Clarence St)	Overall best, huge selection	Scotch, Bourbon, World
Grain Bar	The Rocks	Flights & discovery	Scotch, Japanese, Bourbon
Bar Besuto	Circular Quay	Rare Japanese whisky	Japanese only
Whisky Thief at Prefecture 48	CBD (Sussex St)	Japanese cocktails & rare pours	Japanese
The Doss House	The Rocks	Atmosphere & history	Scotch, Irish, World
Door Knock	CBD (Pitt St)	Hidden bar, cocktails & food	Cocktail-forward
Silver’s Motel	Enmore	Unpretentious, 350+ bottles	Scotch, Bourbon, Japanese
Jolene’s	CBD (York St)	American whiskey & live music	Bourbon & Rye
The Captain’s Balcony	Crows Nest	Flights & fine dining	Scotch, Japanese
Pappy’s Bar	CBD (Erskine St)	Whisky with great food	Bourbon, Japanese, Scotch
Eau De Vie	CBD (George St)	Speakeasy cocktails	Scotch, World
Bar 26	Lilyfield	Craft distillery bar	Australian craft
Banchō	Haymarket	Japanese-inspired cocktails	Japanese, Scotch
Tokyo Bird	Surry Hills	Japanese whisky & yakitori	Japanese
Uncle Ming’s	CBD (York St)	Late-night Japanese whisky	Japanese
Earl’s Juke Joint	Newtown	Everything bar, rotating rarities	World

Scroll horizontally to view full table

1. The Baxter Inn, Sydney

• Pros: Whisky selection, atmosphere, and bartenders are amongst the best you’ll find anywhere in Australia.
• Cons: This is a very popular bar, so expect to queue on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s not really a speakeasy, as it gets very crowded and loud, and it’s hard to hear the person talking next to you.

With a selection of the best whisky in the world alongside pretzels, friendly, knowledgeable staff, and an outstanding atmosphere from open to close, The Baxter Inn is the benchmark for Sydney whisky bars. It’s a blink-and-you’ll miss it bar tucked in an alley behind an alley and boasts arguably the largest collection of whisky in Australia, and potentially the entire Southern Hemisphere. Bartenders in clinical white aprons pour out drops from all around the world, including some of the rarest vintages out there and a handful of their house-aged stuff from the secret cellar that sits off the main room. Come for a cocktail before dinner, order a ploughman’s plate, call the restaurant to cancel your reservation, and drink your way through the continents one nip at a time.

Address: 152/156 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Sun-Weds 4pm-3am, Thurs-Sat 3pm-3am

2. Grain Bar, The Rocks

• Pros: Whisky flights are available with options that will hit the spot for novices and pros alike.
• Cons: Limited food options are available, so don’t expect to hang around for a bite to eat.

Home to one of the most extensive whiskey lists in Sydney, Grain Bar has everything from Scotch to Bourbons, Ryes, and Japanese on offer. We love this Sydney whisky bar because it’s a place for discovery with curated whisky flights available that will take you on a journey through Scotch (from $35), Japanese (from $80), and even exclusive brand names like Michter’s and The Macallan. If you’re a whisky lover and want to verify if this is worth your time, some of the notable expressions include The Macallan Sherry Oak 30, The Dalmore 21, Caol Ila 25, Octomore 9.3, Pappy Van Winkle 20, and Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection. Yeah, it’s not messing around.

Located in: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
Address: Ground Floor, 199 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Thur 4-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am
Phone: (02) 9250 3118

3. Bar Besuto, Sydney

• Pros: Access to some of the rarest, most sought-after Japanese whiskies in the world that rarely leave Japan. One-off limited editions, 20-plus-year-old aged whisky, and ghost distilleries, they have it all.
• Cons: You shouldn’t go into this experience expecting to spend a small amount of money. These are very expensive whiskies, and the smaller 15ml tasting size means you’ll only get a nip for tasting purposes.

We’re taking things to the next level with Bar Besuto because we think we’ve found the best whisky bar in Sydney for ultra-rare Japanese whisky lovers. Not only are the drams out of this world, chosen from owner Joel Best’s handpicked collection, but the food is up a notch as well. We’re talking about Miso Glacier 51 Toothfish, a prawn katsu sandwich, and a Wagyu tartare with miso potato and Osetra caviar. As for the drams, if you’ve ever wanted to try the rarest of the rare from a Hakushu 25 to Hibiki, Yamazaki, Kanosuke, and more, this is the place.

Address: 3 Underwood St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Wed 5pm-12am, Thur-Sat 5pm-1am

Hours: By appointment/enquiry

4. The Doss House, The Rocks

• Pros: Knowledgeable staff, a good selection of whisky, and a cool retro venue with a great atmosphere hidden in The Rocks.
• Cons: This venue is small but very popular, so it gets crowded quickly, service can be a little slow, and it gets quite loud, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. As such, it’s not really suitable for an intimate occasion.

The Doss House whisky bar in Sydney will transport you back in time with a vintage aesthetic that recaptures the convivial spirit of our city’s formative years. Expect fine whiskies, spirits, cocktails, and bartenders who know how to guide you through their vast selection. Whisky cocktails to try starts with our favourite, the Julep of Ireland, but there’s also a selection of highballs, and a Whisky Lemon Cheesecake with Slaine Irish Whisky that’s a must-try. Originally a bit of a hidden oasis for whisky lovers, this has become a very popular spot on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, so don’t expect to get a seat if you come in with a large group.

Address: 77/79 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Thur 5pm-1am, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 3pm-2am, Sun 3pm-12am
Phone: 0457 880 180

5. Door Knock, Sydney

• Pros: Cool hidden venue that’s hard to find and features a menu packed with great whisky cocktails.
• Cons: It does not have the most extensive whisky list and doesn’t feature many limited or hard-to-find bottles. More suited to cocktail lovers than dram experts.

Door Knock is a tightly held secret amongst whisky lovers in Sydney, but we’re officially letting the cat out of the bag on this one. As the name suggests, you have to knock on a secret door with a pineapple on it to get let in. That’s after you’ve walked through a narrow hallway into a basement and after you’ve found the entrance that’s in front of Mejico on Pitt Street. Confused? Good. Once you find your way inside, you’ll find some of our favourite whisky cocktails in Sydney, including the Golden Brown with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry, macadamia walnut honey, and lemon.

Address: Basement/70 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Wed 4pm-12am, Thurs 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 4pm-1am

6. The Captain’s Balcony, Crows Nest

• Pros: Impressive fit-out that brings a high-brow whisky list and great food choices to Crows Nest. The whisky selection could compete with the best in Sydney, and the food menu is solid when you’re just after a bite to eat.
• Cons: The food prices are fair, but the drinks prices are a little steep compared to other bars in the area. The same goes for the whisky prices and tasting flights, which are in 15ml measurements.

The Captain’s Balcony is a new venue in Crows Nest near Small Bar. Their new Crows Nest venue has a clear focus on whisky with monthly whisky and spirits tastings, tasting flights (15ml measures), and plenty of Japanese, Scotch, and rest of the world offerings from names like Kujira, Berry Bros & Rudd, Glenfarclas, and many more. The food menu is also worthy of a shoutout with a delicious Black Angus 300g rump cap served with Cafe de Paris butter, frites, and watercress. Of course, the venue itself is special with a striking back-lit bar and upstairs seating for when things get a little crowded downstairs.

Address: 116 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065
Hours: Tues-Fri 4-11:30pm, Sat 12-11:30pm, Sun 12-10pm
Phone: 1800 422 782

7. Pappy’s Bar, Sydney

• Pros: Great food paired with great whisky cocktails that are made nice and strong (as they should be). Service is outstanding and welcoming, and it makes you want to return to try more cocktails and tacos!
• Cons: The narrow venue layout fills up quickly, especially on Thurs-Sat nights.

Right next door to The Captain’s Balcony on Erskine Street in Sydney CBD is Pappy’s Bar. It is one of our favourite spots when we’re looking for good food with our whisky. The selection of burgers (The American is a standout) and tacos is great, but it’s the cocktails that keep us coming back. Our favourite is either the Charleston with Buckley’s Rye Whisky, Talisker 10, and Pappy’s stout and maple syrup or the New Orleans with Bulleit Frontier Whisky, cherries, maple syrup, and lemon juice. If you’re after a neat dram, there’s plenty of bourbon, Japanese, and Scotch to choose from.

Address: 48 Erskine St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Fri 12pm-12am, Sat 5pm-12am
Phone: 0401 918 644

8. Eau De Vie, Sydney

• Pros: Food, whisky, and cocktails are all next-level. We appreciate how the bar pays homage to traditional speakeasies, making it a great place to bring someone on a special occasion.
• Cons: It can get busy on Thursdays-Saturdays, so don’t come here expecting swift service.

Eau De Vie is a traditional speakeasy-style bar in the centre of Sydney that’s serving up some of our favourite whiskies and whisky cocktails. Start your night off with an EDV BLAZER / OLD FASHIONED that was named one of the best cocktails in the world by Elite Traveller, and combines Ron Zacapa 23, whisky, scotch ale, and PX syrup. You can choose to have this one served blazing and hot or chilled over a super rock. Move into the whiskies and you’ll have choices from Lagavulin 16-year-old to Mortlach ‘Lure of the Blood Moon’, and more. Food is high-level bar snacks, including a delicious short rib sausage roll.

Address: Enter Via Wynyard Lane, 285 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Thurs 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 4pm-1am
Phone: (02) 7225 5559

9. Bar 26, Lilyfield

• Pros: On-site distilled Otter House Distilling spirits, Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) bottles
• Cons: Food options are limited to pizza and charcuterie

What about a whisky bar that makes its own whisky? Bar 26 might be a little bit out of the way in Lilyfield, but it’s worth the travel because it’s home to some of the best whisky cocktails in Sydney. Most of the cocktail are made using their on-site distilled Otter House Distilling spirits, including the Baked Apple Whiskey Sour with OCD Single Malt Whiskey, Baked Apple, Macadamia, Salted Caramel, Lemon & Bitters and the Breakfast Old Fashioned with Butter Washed OCD Single Malt Whiskey, Honey, Banana, Buckwheat, and Miso & Bitters.

Neat options include the full list of limited release whiskies from the Otter House Distilling brand, Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) bottles, and Samaroli Whiskies. It’s a true dram-lovers paradise! Grab a handmade pizza or a charcuterie board and call it a night.

Address: 26-30 Halloran St, Lilyfield NSW 2040
Hours: Wed-Fri 4-10pm, Sat 2-10pm

10. Banchō, Haymarket

• Pros: Modern whisky bar with a great selection of whiskies from around the world. Cocktails and service are also excellent.
• Cons: Food options are quite limited, so don’t come here expecting to eat a large dinner.

Banchō features cocktails inspired by the diversity of cultures in Sydney’s Chinatown. This whisky bar in Sydney shares an endless arrangement of unique ingredients with its patrons. The bar prides itself on its large selection of Japanese and Scotch Whisky. Must-try cocktails include the Lantern Blazer with Glenfiddich Fire & Cane single malt whisky, black sesame, peanut, and blazed with Drambuie.

Address: 10 Thomas Ln, Haymarket NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Thur 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-1am
Phone: (02) 8097 9512

11. Tokyo Bird, Surry Hills

• Pros: Intimate venue for tasting some of the best and most sought-after Japanese whisky available in Australia.
• Cons: The Yakitori (skewers) option is great, but the rest of the food menu could do with some more exciting options.

Tokyo Bird is a small yakitori bar in an old industrial area of Surry Hills that’s home to some of the best (and rarest) Japanese whiskies. Not only do they have great skewers and whisky, but they’re serving up plenty of delicious bar food, including katsu nuggets, which are a must-try. Of course, their selection of whisky-laden cocktails is excellent, but you should dive head-first into the Japanese drams, which include labels like Yamazaki 18-year-old, Hibiki, 30-year-old, and Hakushu 12-year-old.

Address: 226 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours: Mon-Thurs 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am
Phone: (02) 8880 9971

12. Uncle Mings, Sydney

• Pros: Known for their signature ‘Uncles Spiced Whiskey,’ the dumplings stood out amongst the outstanding selection of drams. Juicy, fresh, and full, they’re some of the best we’ve experienced in Sydneytown.
• Cons: Don’t expect an intimate, speakeasy-style bar because this place can get very busy.

Cocktails, Japanese Whisky, and Dumplings. Need we say more? Legend has it that Uncle Ming was one of Shanghai’s most notorious figures, a sweet potato vendor who began a life of crime as a policeman collecting protection money from local opium traders. Having to leave China, Uncle Ming settled in Sydney in the 1920s and set up a place for the local community to meet and have a drink. This whisky bar in Sydney claims to have one of the most extensive Japanese Whisky collections in Australia. You HAVE to see it to believe it.

Located in: Ferrier Hare & Associate
Address: Basement/49 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon 4pm-12am, Tues-Thur 12pm-12am, Fri 12pm-1am, Sat 4pm-1am

13. Earl’s Juke Joint, Newtown

• Pros: The camouflaged entrance as a butcher shop (a walk from Newtown station) adds a feeling of exclusivity to the experience, even if the place is full. The whiskey selection, food choices, and cocktails are full of solid options.
• Cons: Gets very busy on Friday and Saturday night so don’t expect to hold an intimate conversation.

Not specifically a whisky bar, Earl’s is rather an everything bar that just so happens to have a great collection of regularly rotating rarities to keep things interesting. With an enormous back bar and a team of cocktail and spirit experts, the guys (and girls) at Earl’s know the recipe for a good night all too well. They also have a huge selection of beers, featuring classic, easy-drinking lagers to seasonal beers designed to sate even the thirstiest customer.

Address: 407 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
Hours: Tues-Sun 5pm-12am

14. Silver’s Motel, Enmore

• Pros: An unpretentious, 80s-inspired nostalgic vibe with an incredible 350+ bottle whisky collection.
• Cons: It’s in the Inner West, so CBD dwellers will need to travel.

If you’re tired of stuffy, overly serious whisky bars, Silver’s Motel is your antidote. Opened by acclaimed PS40 bartender Michael Chiem and whisky enthusiast Tynan Sidhu, this Enmore Road newcomer looks like a retro roadside motel but pours like a world-class whisky den. Sidhu spent a decade building the 350-strong collection, featuring rare 70s Johnnie Walker Red and 80s Jim Beam alongside modern gems. Don’t miss their Ice Magic Old Fashioned: a brilliant, nostalgic cocktail that proves whisky doesn’t have to be intimidating to be excellent.

Address: 187 Enmore Rd, Enmore NSW 2042
Hours: Mon 5pm-2am, Wed-Sun 5pm-2am

15. Whisky Thief at Prefecture 48, Sydney

• Pros: A stunning, mysterious space with rare Japanese whiskies and a dedicated Suntory Bar pop-up.
• Cons: Can be tricky to secure a table for large groups without booking ahead.

The newest addition to Sydney’s Japanese whisky scene is Whisky Thief, the exclusive cocktail bar hidden inside the sprawling Prefecture 48 dining precinct on Sussex Street. The design draws inspiration from a whisky distillery, complete with fingerprint-activated cabinets concealing rare bottles and lamps resembling melting ice. Whether you’re here for the roasted hojicha tea twist on an Irish Coffee or a neat pour of an elusive Japanese single malt, this suave whisky bar is an absolute must-visit when you’re in the CBD.

Address: 230 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Thurs 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12am

16. Jolene’s

• Pros: The ultimate spot for American whiskey lovers, paired with fantastic live country music.
• Cons: Can get very loud and rowdy on weekends when the live bands are playing.

Hidden beneath the streets of Sydney’s CBD, Jolene’s is an authentic Nashville-inspired whiskey bar. The bar is a new venture by Simon Rose-Hopkins, the former licensee of Surly’s American BBQ and bar manager of Nola Smokehouse & Bar. With over 150 drops waiting for you, ranging from classic bourbons to rye whiskey and everything in between, it’s a haven for American spirits. Simon explains, “The bar is my way of paying homage to some of the best nights of my life and bringing that genuine Southern hospitality to York St. The drinks are thought through and reference Tennessee. We can’t wait for it to open and introduce an authentic experience unlike any other.” Grab a booth, order some late-night Southern-style feed, and enjoy the live country and western music that kicks off from Thursday through Saturday.

Address: Basement Level, 73 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Tues-Wed 4:30pm-11:30pm, Thurs 4:00pm-12am, Fri-Sat 4pm-1.30am

Alternatives to These Sydney Whisky Bars

We’ve only recommended whisky bars that are dedicated to serving the most sought-after whisky and whisky cocktails in Sydney. However, there are a few bars that are also worth checking out, even if they don’t solely focus on the rarest drams. Let’s take a look at those venues that just missed out on the final cut:

• J&M, Angel Pl, Sydney: A Sydney whisky bar list wouldn’t be complete without a little something from Merivale, and this offering is one of their best to date. J&M is a small, unassuming space nestled above The Angel Hotel, which was the site of Mr. John and Merivale Hemmes’ first fashion boutique in the 70s. A huge whisky list takes pride of place amongst an already generous selection of drinks on offer, with cocktails and cracking service also on point.
• Stitch Bar, York St, Sydney: A regular addition to Sydney’s best bars list, Stitch Bar is the perfect whisky bar to enjoy a rare drop and some great food. American Diner style food graces the counter, there’s absolutely no chance you’ll be able to walk out without a good feed. The cocktail menu is just as impressive, with such names at Lousiville Slugger and Midnight Express. There’s certainly an addition to tickle your fancy. Our pick would be the Gold Digger, a modern take on the classic whisky sour, honey and chocolate liqueur enhanced with the nutty flavour of Amaretto and burned coconut.
• The Roosevelt, Orwell St, Potts Point: Eau De Vie’s younger brother, This whisky bar in Sydney delivers the glamour of a bygone era to Potts Point, offering one of the most well-thought-out drinks menus in town and prime-quality dishes in a room fit for the king himself. While cocktails are the house’s specialty, this has to be one of the most opulent rooms to sit in and peruse the excellent selection of whiskies available.

If you think there’s a whisky bar that we should visit for a spot on this list, please contact us via our contact form.

Why You Should Trust Our List

With a head office in Sydney and a penchant for finding the best bars in our home city, Man of Many has all the knowledge and expertise required for putting together a tight list of great whisky bars. We don’t just talk the talk either, because every year we play host to Sydney Whisky Month where we (and our partners) host intimate, ticketed tasting events at some of the top-rated venues in Sydney. In compiling this list, author Ben McKimm leaned on the wider editorial team to gauge their favourite spots before ranking the venues based on their selection of whisky, the quality of the cocktails, and their value for money.

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