Top 10 bar openings of 2018
The impacts of Sydney's lockout laws have been widely discussed, however the city's small bar scene continues to go from strength to strength.
The NSW Government has relaxed licensing laws, allowing a 'small bar' to increase its capacity to 100 at any one time. In addition, a 'small bar' is permitted to trade until 2am (subject to council approval).
Here are ten of the most exciting bar openings scheduled for 2018 in Sydney.
Bancho Bar
10 Thomas Lane, Haymarket
Cocktail and whisky bar
The team behind Tokyo Bird (Surry Hills) and Osaka Trading Co (Forest Lodge) is working on a new cocktail and whisky bar in the back streets of Haymarket. Bancho Bar has approval to trade until 2am.
Bar Topa
330 George Street (entry off Palings Lane), Sydney
Spanish tapas bar
Merivale has been going BIG of late, however the empire strikes back with a decidedly small and quaint next offering - Bar Topa. Bar Topa has a 2am license and will be a 30-seat tapas bar headed up by former Felix head chef (Lauren Murdoch). Opens Friday 13 July.
Bistecca
3 Daley Street, Sydney
Cocktail bar and Italian steak restaurant
The team behind Grandma's and Wild Rover has unleashed Bistecca on Sydney. This is actually a three-in-one venue with a 50-seat bar trading 4pm-2am Monday-Saturday, a 50-seat-restaurant serving signature Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine stye T-bone steak) trading from 6pm-12 midnight Monday-Saturday and a soon-to-open wine shop. Now open.
Brix Distillers
352 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Rum distillery
The website reads: 'In this city rum made history. Now we're making rum.' Anyone who is creative enough to weave Sydney history (rum was used as money in Sydney in the 1790s and the Rum Rebellion of 1808 saw the colonial government overthrown) into their bar narrative deserves a place on my list.
Manly Greenhouse
36-38 South Steyne, Manly
3-level bar and restaurant complex
Rome wasn't built in a day and apparently neither was Manly Greenhouse. After several false starts, here's hoping the 'Coogee Pavilion of the north' is up and running in time for summer. The rooftop bar with views over the Pacific will no doubt be worth the wait.
Maybe Sammy
111 Harrington Street, The Rocks
Cocktail bar
A spinoff of Maybe Frank (Surry Hills and Randwick) is expected to launch as early as this month in The Rocks. A cocktail bar with maybe, just maybe, some awesome pizza, Maybe Sammy should inject some fun and personality into the top end of town.
Old Mate’s Place
Level 4, 199 Clarence Street, Sydney
Cocktail bar
Old Mate's Place will lead a wave of new venues set to launch on Clarence Street over the next 6-12 months. Old Mate's fit-out will look like an abandoned library and the rooftop space will offer impressive northern views up York Street.
She Loves You
530 King Street, Newtown
Wine bar
Why is it that King Street North gets so much love when the true hidden gems are located on King Street South. She Loves You is a true neighbourhood spot with a cracking list of wines. Now open.
The Doss House
77-79 George Street, The Rocks
Whisky bar
It's refreshing seeing tacky souvenir shops slowly being replaced with quality eateries and interesting new bars in historic buildings in The Rocks. The Doss House is the latest example, located in a building which dates from 1848. Now open.
The Nook
49 Sydney Road, Manly
Cocktail bar
Just as the best of Bondi is located well away from the main drag of Campbell Parade, you can make the most of Manly by checking out the small side streets and laneways which run off The Corso. How else would you find The Nook? I, for one, have a hankering for a reuben sandwich and a couple of killer cocktails. Now open.