For many years, Sydney’s bar scene left a little to be desired with often the only options a seedy night out at your respective corner pub (not that there’s anything wrong with that), or an overpriced rendezvous at an enormous hospitality gorgon that describes itself as “hip”. However, as a Sydney local, as I’ve wandered the streets in the wee hours these last few months to my delight an array of bars and drinking hot spots have emerged to quench locals’ thirst for a decent speakeasy.
It’s no coincidence that this improvement has happened concurrently with change in the city’s liquor licensing laws – a win for proprietors and the best thing that’s ever happened to my weekends.
While there’s romance to be found in stumbling across a foreign destination out of which wafts the scent of new and exotic cocktails akin to a scene from ‘The Lost Weekend’, it’s also kinda shit trying to convince your increasingly cross mates to persist with the search while you swear “I’m 99 per cent certain its definitely around the next corner…” Now’s the chance to stop relying on flaky friends with poor orientation because the Time Out Sydney Bar Guide 2011 has just been released off the back of the third annual Time Out Sydney Bar Awards this Tuesday.
Hosted by Deal or No Deal’s Andrew O’Keefe who himself is no stranger to a tipple the grand prize of Bar of the Year went to Shady Pines Saloon in Darlinghurst. Check out the rest of the winners below:
Best New Bar Eau de Vie
People’s Choice The Lincoln
Best Small Bar The Commons
Best Cocktail Bar Eau de Vie
Best Bartender Anton Forte (Shady Pines Saloon)
Best Pub The Shakespeare
Best Wine Bar The Wine Library
Best Entertainment Oxford Art Factory
Best Design Bentley Restaurant and Bar
Best Bar Food Four in Hand
Responsible Service Absinthe Salon
Hall of Fame The Old Fitzroy
The Guide is available at newsagencies or free with the November issue of Time Out.
For more information of tops places for a drink visit www.timeoutsydney.com.au
Main image by Dan Boud
