Stitch Bar- York St

Don’t be tricked into walking into ‘Stitch’ with your pants to be hemmed and jackets to be tailored… As this Sydney ‘tailor’ is not just what meets the eye…

Hide and Seek

Hidden next to the Cup Cake shop on York St. Sydney, at street level you’ll walk into a ‘shop’ entrance to find sewing machines, balls of yarn, shirts hanging on a rod…

However, keep on walking, through the corridor, and down the stairs, to be greeted with a funky underground bar and restaurant. Dimly lit with candles and lanterns, and an exotic and erotic ambience is instantly created. You’ll be warmly greeted by staff, who will eagerly assist as you make your decision as to where to set up camp for the evening. There are small barrel tables for the smaller groups, booths, and even underground caves where you and your fellow diners can sit on exotic cushions, teleporting you to a Middle Eastern oasis worlds away. 

Simon Food Favourites

If you choose to stay for just a Social.Aperitif, this Sydney bar is the perfect place to perch and satisfy your beverage and social needs. The bar itself is actually constructed form old sewing machines stacked on top of each. Looking around, you are surrounded by sewing paraphernalia-sewing machine covers dangle from above the back bar, thread rods and knitting needles- enough to spark the sewing bug in even the least sew-literate person.

Definitely put this one up there on your ‘Social.Aperitif’ list- it’s bound to impress all!

Ms. G's- Potts Point

In the back alley of Kings Cross, Sydney, comes this little gem of a bar.

Open the slide glass door and step into what feels a busy Asian marketplace.

Lanterns, Tsing Tao, graffiti and chopsticks.

Take the time to breathe in the surroundings, as everywhere you turn is an experience in itself. Walk through the hustle and bustle of the bottom dining room and bar. Walk up the stairs and you'll be blown away by the magnificent view of the city of Sydney- equip with sky scrapers, Centre Point, and Harbour Bridge. Even in terrible weather the ambience is magical.

Concrete Playground

This level offers communal dining on long wooden tables, creating the perfect environment for chatty groups…and if there’s just the two of you, I assure you you’ll leave with plenty of new friends. 

Don’t forget to check out the bathroom- all the way down the bottom of the stairs, past the busy kitchen, to what feels like a dungeon. They can only be described as styled as ‘marketplace elegance’. A simple wooden bucket as a sink with an outdoor tap, coupled with beautifully framed fence post-wooden mirrors.  

My 24/7

If you're simply here for a Social.Aperitif, head straight up to the top level, where the bar awaits you. This level is littered with people, and especially on weekends, is difficult to find a seat. The walls have been delicately engraved with graffiti, leaving you wondering whether or not its intentional. One thing you can't go past at this Sydney bar is the slurpie cocktails- delicious cocktails vacuum sealed in a plastic cup, stabbed with an oversized straw.- perfect for the Social.Aperitif. that will bring out the big kid in all of us...

The Fringe Bar- Paddington

Imagine stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland. Teacups filled with flowers, black and white checkered floors, red velvet curtains… even a cows head plays its part. Welcome to the Fringe Bar. A trendy pub in the heart of Paddington, Sydney. Pop in for a Social.Aperitif after a long day of shopping, or couple it with shopping at the Saturday Sydney Fringe Bar Markets…



This bar offers a range of cozy hide-aways- the general bar is beautifully decorated with chandeliers, elaborate gold framed mirrors, and red velvet curtains dressing its exposed brick interiors. Out the back is the birdcage- filled with candles, aged photographs, bird cages (hence its name), bright red lamp shades and vintage furniture. And down stairs is the ‘dungeon-like’ green room, littered with candles, modern décor and its very own bar.

Make sure you pre plan your trip here, whether it be comedy, or trivia, there’s something happening every night, so probably book to avoid disappointment.

Drinks: Punch Bowls for the ladies- come in and share a punch bowl filled cocktail- equip with its own ladle.

Food: you really can’t go past their $10 steaks… and don’t forget to check out their famous ‘sauce rack’ (it’s got EVERYTHING)

The Flinders Bar- Surry Hills

If you’re strolling along Crown St, Sydney, be sure to turn off onto Flinders St for your perfect Social.Aperitif at Flinders Bar.

Behind the neon ‘cold beer’ flashing light is a humble, quirky bar- a trendy hide-away (without being too pretentious).

From the minute you walk in the door you’ll be whisked into a warm, inviting oasis. The bar is littered with paraphernalia including artworks, stuffed animals, quotes, poems- your eyes will be kept busy for hours.

The staff at the bar are super friendly and always up for a chat- if your stuck deciding what it is you want to drink, they’ll quiz you with a few simple questions and within a couple of minutes you’ll be happy as Larry with the drink of your dreams. They’ll even let you engrave your name into the bar- that is, if you can find a spot next to the thousands of other visitors and locals.

It’s recommended to get into this Sydney bar early, especially on weekends, as it’s under high demand, and the line does accumulate (it’s so you’re not all packed in like sardines). It’s well worth the wait though, once you’re in, the late night dance floor will have everyone kicking up their heels!

Picture thanks to 4bars

Drink: Why not kick the night off with a ‘pickle back’- a shot of Jamesons whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. Bound to tickle your taste buds…

Recommended dinner options afterwards: Right upstairs- The Duke Bistro, where the quirkiness continues…