NEWCOMERS WE ALSO LOVE:
BANCHO BAR
It’s a shiny little sliver of Japanese barworld on the backstreets of Chinatown. Ò10 Thomas Ln, Haymarket 2000. 02 8097 9512. banchobar.com.au. Mon-Sat 4pm-midnight.
BAR TOPA
Merivale gets into the tapas game, extracting maximum fun from minimal space. Ò4 Palings Ln, Sydney 2000. 02 9114 7368. merivale.com/bartopa. Mon-Fri noon-late; Sat 5pm-late.
DOSS HOUSE
The Rocks has finally gotten a cocktail bar worth seeking out among the historic sandstone architecture. Ò77- 79 George St, The Rocks 2000. 0457 880 180. thedosshouse.com.au. Tue-Thu 3pm-1am; Fri, Sat noon-2am; Sun 3pm-midnight.
EMPLOYEES ONLY
The Manhattan neo-speakeasy pioneer lands in a Sydney basement – psychic, soup and all. Ò9a Barrack St, Sydney 2000. 02 8084 7490. employeesonlysyd.com. Mon-Sat 5pm-3am; Sun 5pm-midnight.
NICK & NORA’S
The gang from Eau de Vie and Mjølner take the fight to the Parramatta skyline. Ò45 Macquarie St, Parramatta 2150. 02 8646 4930. nickandnoras.com.au. Tue-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri 4pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-10pm.
THE NOOK
It’s half New York deli and half cocktail bar, which means you can get a latenight milkshake, a classic hot dog and a stiff drink in one visit. Ò49 Sydney Rd, Manly 2095. www.thenookmanly.com. Mon-Fri 4pm-late; Sat, Sun noon-late.
ODE
It’s an ode to natural wine, good times and Mediterranean eats, and Bondi is singing along. Ò251 Bondi Rd, Bondi 2026. 02 9130 2894. odebar.com. Mon-Fri 3pm-late; Sat, Sun 2pm-late.
POLY
The team from Ester shifts its sights from plate to glass; good things ensue. Ò74- 76 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills 2010. 02 8860 0808. www.polysurryhills. com.au. Mon-Fri 5pm-late; Sat 3pm-late; Sun 3-10pm.
ROSENBAUM & FULLER
This café-bar hybrid is slinging a plantbased menu and a spirit list showcasing the best in Australian distillation right now. Ò13 O’Brien St, Bondi 2026. 0448 808 300. www.rosenbaumandfuller. com. Mon-Thu 4pm-late; Fri noon-midnight; Sat 8am-midnight; Sun 8am-10pm.