Our list of the best bars in Parramatta goes like this.

This bar manages to encapsulate 1920s opulence right in the heart of Parramatta’s CBD. Located on the 26th floor of the V Building, this rooftop bar is the perfect spot for a Gatsby-themed shindig with your mates. The drinks menu includes an extensive range of champagne (of course) and classic cocktails, and when it comes to food, you can expect oysters, caviar, local and imported cheese and cured meats and canapés, all very on-theme.

If you’re looking for a sophisticated cocktail bar in Parramatta, look no further than Heritage Lounge. Nestled in a heritage-listed 1920s building, the glamour starts as soon as you step inside and soak up the decadent fit-out. We recommend the Bankers Charm cocktail, made with sailor jerry savage apple, ailsa bay whisky, ginger liqueur, and honey with fresh lemon, and to add to the ambience, you can also order cigars!

A much-loved institution in the Paramatta nightlife scene, this vibrant bar is one of Parramatta’s best bars, dedicated to ensuring you have a good night. They host happy hour every Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6pm, and you will also find live DJs playing on selected nights. Combine this with a drinks menu that is sure to keep you interested all night long, standouts include grilled halloumi and kingfish ceviche to start, and for something more substantial, how does organic potato gnocchi with sauteed exotic mushrooms, truffle cream & pecorino & fine herbs sound? Just perfect, if you ask us.

Offering a taste of South America right in the heart of Western Sydney, Coco Cubano is the perfect, casual drinking hole that will transport you right to the streets of downtown Havana. You can expect colourful cocktails and a Cuban-inspired menu featuring Cuban street sandwiches, nachos, fajitas, and of course, quesadillas! The laid-back bar and restaurant are the perfect spot to while away Sunday arvo.

This is one of the best bars in Parramatta for a European-inspired all-day dining brasserie experience. The space itself is huge, with a brasserie, private dining room and wine cellar, as well as a casual bar area with its own kitchen and more laid-back menu. The food is inspired by charcoal and fire — we can’t go past the dry-aged duck breast with duck croquette, beetroot, and radicchio, paired with a Malfy gin & strawberry spritz.

Known fondly by locals as the Albie, this humble pub has undergone a rejuvenation in recent years, bringing it up to par as one of the top spots in Parramatta for a few bevvies. Their main drawing card is their massive beer garden that you’ll find out back, as well as the epic repertoire of craft beers they have on tap. The food is everything you’d expect from a classic Aussie pub, with a little bit of finesse on the side.

A local pub favourite, but a little bit fancy, the Royal Oak is one of the best bars in Parramatta to grab a meal and a good drop. The family-owned and operated venue is a good pick for foodies out there, serving up pub classics and weekly specials — come down on a Sunday for the pot and pie special for just $20, plus pints at schooner prices!

If you’re on the hunt for the best sports bar in Parramatta, The Commercial Hotel is your guy. The quintessential spot to kick back and relax for a night watching your favourite teams, there is also a beer garden and beer tanks on site. It is open until the early hours of the morning, with live music on the weekends, so you can celebrate (or drown your sorrows) post-match. Located on the corner of Hassall Street, it has kept its traditional facade, which makes us love it even more.

While the area is better known for its variety of cuisine, choosing the best bars in Parramatta meant incorporating a few pubs, clubs, and hotels because there’s only a handful of traditional bars on offer. It helps that Man of Many’s team of experts are all based in Sydney, with plenty of knowledge about all things whisky, beer, and cocktails. Of course, having a few friends in the industry means we’ve been able to explore most of these bars at our own pace, basking in the atmosphere, trying the food on offer, and most importantly, the high level of mixology shown at every bar listed below.