You’re in a mate’s Surry Hills townhouse. Times are great, but the fridge is tiny and he doesn’t own enough chairs. Venturing out of that bubble into the wide world of Surry Hills bars is the clear next step. The only question, where? Every one of your mates and their dog has an opinion on where to head, cutting the fat out of the equation we’ve sliced the crowd down to find the best Surry Hills bars for whatever you’re into. Here is a list of the 25 Best Bars in Surry Hills.
Table of contents
- 1. Vasco
- 2. Bitter Phew
- 3. Wyno Bar and Shop
- 4. Tokyo Bird
- 5. The Wild Rover
- 6. Tio’s Cerveceria
- 7. Dead Ringer
- 8. Brix Distillers
- 9. Li’l Darlin Surry Hills
- 10. Soultrap
- 11. MV Pasta & Wine Bar
- 12. The Carrington
- 13. The Winery
- 14. Keg & Brew
- 15. The Cricketers Arms Hotel
- 16. Rosie Campbells
- 17. Poly
- 18. Norfolk Hotel
- 19. Hollywood Hotel
- 20. Low 302
- 21. The Soda Factory
- 22. The Dolphin Hotel
- 23. The Standard Bowl
- 24. Goros
- 25. Evening Star Hotel
- General FAQs
1. Vasco
Want Gnocchi and cocktails? Vasco has you covered. A rock n roll inspired Italian feasting joint, Vasco combines old school charm with an entirely contemporary class. A far cry from the world of Prisencolinensinainciusol, they’re authentic in everything they do. Expect to be rolled out in carb overload heaven.
Address: 421 Cleveland St, Surry Hills
Phone: 0468 574 438
Hours: Tues – Sat 5pm – 12am
2. Bitter Phew
Every part of Bitter Phew is as smart and enjoyable as its name. A gorgeously oaky beer bar, they have 12 rotating taps filled with nothing but the best brews you’ll find world over. Combined with a penchant for parties and entrenched relationships with the freshest breweries in Australia you’ll find something new to love every time you head down.
Address: 1/137 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Hours: Mon 5pm – 12am, Tues – Thurs 3pm – 12am, Fri – Sat 12pm – 1:30am
3. Wyno Bar and Shop
Wyno Bar and Shop is the third offering from the trio of Sydney culture makers behind Porteno. Now named Bodega x Wyno it’s a combination offering of exceptional Argentinian tapas and excellent wines. All of which you’ll find in the attached bottle shop. It’s not the biggest of spaces, but punches well above its weight with its offerings.
Address: 4/50 Holt St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9212 7766
Hours: Tues – Fri 4:30 – 11pm, Sat 4:30pm – 12am
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4. Tokyo Bird
Tokyo Bird is a good time in a small package. An unbeatable whisky list with some Japanese favourites you’ll find nowhere else, great beers, and Yakitori. What else could you need? For the uninitiated, Yakiori (Grilled bird) is a Japanese way of serving meats skewered and charcoaled. It’s a Japanese BBQ, and so much more.
Address: Commonwealth St &, Belmore Ln, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 8880 9971
Hours: Mon – Wed 4 – 11pm, Thurs 4 – 11:30pm, Fri – Sat 4pm – 12am
5. The Wild Rover
Exposed brick surrounds you, an Irish lilt tickles your ear, you’re in a warm comfortable booth and don’t quite know how you got there. Chances are, you’ve stumbled into The Wild Rover. Not feeling the need to overcomplicate, there’s a one-page menu with cocktails and sausage rolls. Pop in asking “what’s the craic” with your best Irish brogue to get roasted by the bar staff.
Address: 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9280 2235
Hours: Tues – Sat 4pm – 12am
6. Tio’s Cerveceria
Tio’s Cerveceria (Spanish for Uncle’s Brewery) is the Virgin Mary x Margarita collab you didn’t know you needed. An awesomely steezy set up combined with some of the wildest iconographies you’ll find on Foster street are pushed into the back of your memory with margarita specials that are anything but pious.
Address: 4/14 Foster St, Surry Hills
Hours: Wed – Sun 5pm – 12am
7. Dead Ringer
Dead Ringer meet the gluttonous joy of boozy brunches with the spiritual balm that is a meat-free Monday. Prepare to embarrass, and cleanse, yourself within the same walls. The hard work of three mates that know what they’re doing, it’s the second venue from the team behind Bulletin Place and has won walls of awards.
Address: 413 Bourke St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9046 8460
Hours: Mon – Thurs 5 – 11pm, Fri 5pm – 12am, Sat – Sun 10:30am – 12am
8. Brix Distillers
Brix Distillers are dedicated to the art of rum. They want to serve it to you, teach you about it, make it and give it to the masses. It’s refreshing seeing the level of commitment to a singular speciality, and it’s an education going on a tour through their distillery. Topped all off with a South American and Caribbean menu, it’s hard to go wrong here.
Address: 350 Bourke St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9360 5441
Hours: Wed – Thur + Sun 12pm – 10am, Fri – Sat 12pm – 12am
9. Li’l Darlin Surry Hills
Li’l Darlin, no longer exclusively what your redneck uncle calls your cousin. Now it’s carving a space out in your heart as a cool Surry Hills icon. Li’l Darlin will find what you want and give it to you. They’ve got a huge menu which covers every base of a good time. Pizza’s and Chicken wings, they’ve got you. Jugs of Sangria, say less son. Masterclasses, step up grasshopper.
Address: 420 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 8018 8926
Hours: Mon – Wed 12 – 10pm, Thurs 12 – 11pm, Fri 12pm – 12am, Sat 4pm – 1am
10. Soultrap
Soultrap Bar is an underground speakeasy that lives and breathes its theme. There’s a hint of prohibition danger throughout the space that gives you the same rush I got as a school kid playing hooky. Doubling up on the theme here you’ll find Burlesque nights to titillate you in a different fashion.
Address: 70-72 Campbell St, Surry Hills
Phone: 0468 727 004
Hours: Thurs – Sat 4pm – 12am
11. MV Pasta & Wine Bar
MV Pasta & Wine Bar don’t shake a stick when given the chance to feed you what they want to. A beautiful Italian Nonna, in human form, they want to ply you with good food and give you the chance to talk about your life in excess. A comfortable setting, the perfect pasta menu, and a wine list not to be sniffed at are all the ingredients needed for a good time.
Address: 397 Crown St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9357 3366
Hours: Tues – Thurs 5 – 10pm, Fri 4 – 11pm, Sat 12am – 11pm, Sun 12am – 10pm
12. The Carrington
The Carrington is your quintessential Surry Hills pub. Daily specials, great food and a place big enough to fit you, your mates, your dog (pop by on the Sunday for a roast and a free feed for the puppers) and that one fella who’s just always there. Classics, done right.
Address: 565 Bourke St, Surry Hills
Phone: 0497 952 889
Hours: Mon – Sat 12pm -12am, Sun 12 – 10pm
13. The Winery
The Winery takes the concept of a beer garden and adds a little touch of class to it. The first wine garden we’ve come across they’ll surround you with greenery and ply you with wine and food till you can take no more. An incredibly reasonably priced feed me menu rounds out the place by taking the decisions out of your hands. Rock up, get fed, drink wine, leave.
Address: 285A Crown St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 8322 2007
Hours: Sun – Thurs 12 – 11pm, Fri – Sat 12pm – 12am
14. Keg & Brew
A three-floor behemoth, Keg & Brew bring heavy machinery to the Surry Hills bar game. If you can’t find something to enjoy from the 51 taps, entire floor of restaurant, masterclasses or sports bar rooftop you’re not trying, and we can’t help you. For anyone else, particularly large groups, you can’t go wrong.
Address: 26 Foveaux St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9212 1740
Hours: Mon – Thurs 10 – 12am, Fri – Sat 10- 3am, Sun 10am – 11pm
15. The Cricketers Arms Hotel
At nearly 100 years old, The Cricketers Arms Hotel stands as a testament to the power of good times. You don’t hand around for 10 decades without providing serious value to your patrons, hundreds of thousands of whom have walked through their doors in that time. Ask them nicely and they’ll show you iconic images taken throughout that time. What other pub will guarantee Jazz on a Wednesday?
Address: 106 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9331 3301
Hours: Tues 5 – 10pm, Wed – Fri 5 – 11pm, Sat 3:45 – 11pm
16. Rosie Campbells
Rosie Campbells is a self-described Caribbean oasis and jerk diner. They strike a fine balance between home-style cooking and modern culinary know-how. A list of tropical cocktails closes out the sunshine experience. Described in their own words better than this writer could: “bring the fun, bring the flavour, and bring on the good times.”
Address: 320 Crown St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 7209 5469
Hours: Tues – Thurs 4pm – 12am, Fri 4pm – 1am, Sat 1pm – 1am, Sun 1pm – 12am
17. Poly
Poly is a restaurant in the Paramount House Hotel. An adaptation of the old Paramount movie studios, so expect a lot of throwbacks to classic cinema in the decor and atmosphere. Poly stands out with its menu. A targeted affair, it’s a series of crafted experiences. Where else will you find a garlic butter burger? A huge wine list is sure to tickle your tastebuds.
Address: 74-76 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 8860 0808
Hours: Tues – Fri 5 – 11pm, Sat 12 – 4pm 5 – 11pm
18. Norfolk Hotel
The Norfolk Hotel is a modern, dog-friendly, pub with all the lashings of a good time that you could possibly need. Everything caters to you easily having an excellent time. The massive beer garden, the 50 cent wings on a Sunday. They’re not here for an overpriced three hatted fap-off. They’re here to get down and dirty with you. Catch them for a special and your wallet will thank you.
Address: 305 Cleveland St, Redfern
Phone: (02) 9062 5713
Hours: Tues – Thurs 3pm – 12am, Fri – Sat 12pm – 1am, Sun 12 – 10pm
19. Hollywood Hotel
An icon on Foster st, Hollywood Hotel is a one-stop shop for dancing, drinks and times you’ll barely remember. An out and proud venue they’ll host the wildest parties you can think up of, as well as ensuring everyone’s looked after in a safe and sound way. Unpretentious and unspoiled you’ll still find aspects of the original 1920s fit out around the joint.
Address: 2 Foster St, Surry Hills
Contact: 0410 737 464
Hours: Tues – Fri 3pm – 12am, Sat 4pm – 12am
20. Low 302
Low 302 is a dimly lit, red velvet cabaret bar experience. They’re open till late, and provide delicious bevs from start to finish. Grab a date for a little late-night charm, or a group of mates for a sense of old school shenanigans. The only thing it lacks is a password for entry.
Address: 302 Crown St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9368 1548
Hours: Wed – Sun 7pm – 2am
21. The Soda Factory
Hidden behind a faux 1950’s diner The Soda Factory is an all-in-one for bevs, feeds and sweaty dancing. An absolute smorgasbord of entertainment, they do pretty much everything. A cool spot to while the night away, and a Surry Hills stalwart. Worth hitting up at least once.
Address: 16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9064 5808
Hours: Tues – Wed 5pm – 12am, Thurs 5pm – 2am, Fri – Sat 5pm – 3am
22. The Dolphin Hotel
The Dolphin Hotel is a big boy, with three floors of goodness and a menu they’ll serve you anywhere. A solid Italian inspired food list will ensure no need for seconds. If you’re keen on going all in there’s one hell of a long lunch on the last Sunday of each month to spank your tastebuds into glorious submission. The food is a cut above your average pub.
Address: 412 Crown St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9331 4800
Hours: Mon 24h, Tues – Fri 12pm – 12am, Sat 11:30am – 12am, Sun 11:30am – 10pm
23. The Standard Bowl
The Standard Bowl is the third-floor nightclub-turned-entertainment centre at Kinselas. The venue pays homage to its origins as a funeral parlour with an insane art-deco chapel on the first floor, but The Standard Bowl is where you want to be spending the rest of your night. A new-york style warehouse, four bowling lanes, and an arcade game mezzanine make sure you’re in for a good long time. Nothing standard here.
Address: 3/383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst
Phone: (02) 8080 7060
Hours: Fri – Sat 9pm – 3am
24. Goros
Awesome Japanese food, a karaoke bar, and a deep love for hip-hop, Goros is founded on these three principles. Happy to take you in for dinner, or the night, an extensive cocktail list featuring bubble tea bevs like The Ice T, or the Jay Z may be just what you need to build up enough Dutch courage to bring the pipes out. All in the warm glow of the neon decor.
Address: 84/86 Mary St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9212 0214
Hours: Thurs 5pm – 12am, Fri – Sat 5pm – 2am
25. Evening Star Hotel
The Evening Star Hotel is a classic Aussie pub. With its roots dating back to 1882, they’ve had time to work out how to keep the punters happy. Following a recent multi-million dollar overhaul, they’re happy to offer you a mad sports bar with a TAB, a cheap and cheerful menu, $12 mains can be a godsend, and they leapt on the rollback of lockout laws and will happily take you in well into the morning.
Address: 360 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills
Phone: (02) 9281 8177
Hours: Sun – Thurs 10am – 4am, Fri – Sat 10am – 6am
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General FAQs
The Winery is dedicated to the art of the grape. With a name like that, you know they mean business.
Rosie Campbells, Low 302, The Dolphin Hotel, Dead Ringer are some of the best bars on Crown Street
Surry Hills is definitely the spot to be fore cool bars. Crown St and Foster St are your best bets.
