traveldk.com

Views don’t come much better than the Opera Bar’s (see Bars & Restaurants) panorama of the harbour, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. Soak up the sun on the terrace during the day, or have drinks under the stars later on. A good bar menu means you can make a night of it, adding to the perfect Sydney experience.

Cruise offers great views of the Opera House. Modern and stylish, the glowing feature wall of this bar periodically changes in colour and mood. A chic crowd makes up for the slightly haphazard service.

Resurrected from the burnt-out shell of an 1892 emporium, this hotel boasts a 42-m (138-ft) marble bar and designer fit-out. It’s very civilized mid-week, but by Friday it’s packed with the after-work crowd. There are seating areas where you can escape the hordes. Upstairs, the exotic Hemmesphere bar specializes in mojitos.

A restaurant and four bars are packed into this groovy city hangout. The gigantic main bar, The Verge, was once a chapel and features 19th-century stencilling and skylights. The Dome Lounge and the Attic, a former smoking room and chess club, provide more intimate surrounds, and art exhibitions are often held at the Gallery Bar. The cocktail list is divided into Impressionist, Classical, Modern, Nouveau and Abstract selections. There is also a programme of performances, screenings and special events.

This hip new bar brings style to Darling Harbour. Spectacular views and good service make it a winner. Tapas-style snacks are available till 10pm.

This once-grungy dive has been revamped as a stylish bar and Italian restaurant. A DJ plays at the bar Tuesday–Sunday, and Sunday afternoons feature live jazz at the restaurant.

If the large public bar with its massive communal tables and lively atmosphere is too hectic for you, head outdoors to the Jetty Bar to watch the sun set over the harbour, or hide away in the cocktail lounge tucked behind a stylish bamboo wall. Fireplaces provide cosy winter warmth.

A hip local hangout with a relaxed 1950s and 60s decor. Close to the Victoria and Oxford Street restaurants, it’s a good place to meet for a drink. Grab a drop from the bottle shop before leaving.

The fold-back glass doors at the ever-crowded Ravesi’s allow the party to spill out onto the street. It’s a great place for a cocktail, but conversation can prove difficult when the backpacker and local crowds get loud.

You don’t have to take an icy dip in the famous pool to have a true Icebergs experience. Simply watch a Bondi sunset over a beer in the low-key Icebergs Club and you’re taking part in a great local tradition. If you’re feeling glam and your wallet can take the strain, don’t miss the stylish bar attached to the Icebergs Dining Room.