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Friend catch-up

Friend catch-up in Sydney

Two to six, conversation-forward, new friends or old.

Example nights

Real Sydney venues, put together by our planner. Refreshed Jul 20.

Dinner at Since I Left You (SILY) in Barangaroo, then Club York Sydney.

  • 01Since I Left You (SILY)Barangaroo · $$
  • 02Club York SydneyBarangaroo · $$

Games at DT Zone in Haymarket, then dinner at Great Southern Bar.

  • 01DT ZoneHaymarket · $$
  • 02Great Southern BarHaymarket · $$

Small plates at Miss Wolf in Marrickville, then dinner at Corinthian Rotisserie Restaurant.

  • 01Miss WolfMarrickville · $$
  • 02Corinthian Rotisserie RestaurantMarrickville · $$

Top 12 venues

  1. 01

    The Foxtrot

    Crows Nest (NSW) · $$

    Cocktails (Barrel Age Negroni, Pav) and an actual wine list in a small, cozy spot. Courtyard, live jazz Saturdays, staff that remembers you.

  2. 02

    Fortunate Son Bar Enmore

    Newtown (NSW) · $$

    Dark corner cocktail bar with bartenders who actually want to chat. Gin and tequila drinks, classic rock, warm service — the kind of place you stay longer than planned.

  3. 03

    Miss Wolf

    Marrickville · $$

    Queer+ local in Marrickville — drag shows Saturday nights, lounges, cocktails, BYOF (bring your own food from next door).

  4. 04

    Scarlet Weasel

    Redfern · $$$

  5. 05

    Friend in Hand Hotel

    Glebe (NSW) · $

    Schnitzel and spice bags, well-priced drinks, a live cockatoo — the kind of local where you meant to stay one beer and didn't.

  6. 06

    Corridor Newtown

    Newtown (NSW) · $$

    Craft cocktails and fried share plates in a cozy two-level spot. Bartenders make drinks in front of you — try the Mango No. 5 or Inner West Side.

  7. 07

    Kipling's Garage Bar

    Turramurra · $$

    Share plates, serious wine list, industrial space that feels cozy. Dates, groups, reasons to linger.

  8. 08

    Small Bar

    Crows Nest (NSW) · $$

    Craft beers, pizzas, and wines in a courtyard lit by fairy lights. Staff remember your name, groups welcome.

  9. 09

    Bar Copains

    Surry Hills · $$$

    Prosecco in smiley-face glasses, bacon-and-comte tarts, crispy whiting sandwich. Friendly staff, share plates, tight but charming courtyard.

  10. 10

    SPON Bottleshop & Wine Bar

    Newtown (NSW) · $$

    Bottle shop doubles as wine bar — rotating happy hour pours, curated selections you won't find elsewhere, staff who actually know what they're pouring.

  11. 11

    Knird

    Crows Nest (NSW) · $$$

    Wine list pulls from odd corners of the world. Oysters, fried chicken skin, kingfish — small space, zero pretense, warm staff who actually know what they're pouring.

  12. 12

    The Temperance Society

    Summer Hill (Ashfield - NSW) · $$

    Jazz weekends, glowing service, cocktails and platters — old-world bones, modern crowd. Courtyard out back, nooks downstairs, bar up front.