When the weekend rolls around again, another night out might be how you enjoy celebrating in Sydney, whether that be at a club or even a karaoke sesh with friends. The night proceeds, though you seem to have lost count on how many times you have tapped your phone that night only to throw something down without remembering how it tastes and even when you drank it. Those seemingly small amounts do tend to add up, leading to a terrifying remaining bank balance the next morning to further aggravate your hangxiety. But not to worry, here are some locations that you can hit up before your main event of the night, to get into the mood and potentially save you from overspending in the club, but still have a great (un)forgettable night. To save even more money, look out for the happy hour times to get the most of your money and try all the unique and festive drinks that may be on the menu this time round.
Ni Hao Bar
For Soju drinkers, the teapots here will go down effortlessly until you can no longer walk, so proceed with caution. The vibes of the place, and interior decor are very 1980s Hong Kong nightlife, with a retro-flashing neon movie sign and paintings of historical figures like the one and only Bruce Lee. Terracotta warriors accompany your mirror selfies on the way up only to be greeted by friendly staff and a dimly lit area. The teapots are easily shared between 2-4 people, and can be accompanied by light snacks such as corn or curly fries. There are also other tasty drinks that are worth giving a go, all with entertaining drink names.
Image credit: author
Shark Hotel
Shark Hotel is my personal fave, mainly because it always seems to be happy hour here and the drinks are certainly worth the money. Drinks are as cheap as $10 for their signature drinks such as martini’s and range to $35 for shared jugs which all have a unique, delicious taste. There are also festive drinks throughout the year, fitting with the current season and giving way to tasty surprises.
Image credit: author
Uncle Mings Dumping Bar
Hidden in plain sight underneath a seemingly plain building hides this exquisite and intimate dining bar, located in the Basement of 49 York Street - a very short walk from Wynyard station. The bar is dimly lit with red hues, giving it a rustic Chinese feel, perfectly complimenting the dumplings and asian-influenced drinks that are about to come out. The drinks, similar to Ni Hao Bar also do come in teapots, each one with its own specialty, introducing flavours such as Yuzu, Hibiscus and Ginger Beer. This bar really surprised me with the unexpected combination of dumplings and drinks, producing nostalgic Yum Cha like dishes to snack on. There are several unique drinks here such as alcoholic boba, and a drink served with flames, so come and check them out for yourself!
Image credit: author
So, next time you find yourself wondering which bar to go to next, I would highly recommend these as the top 3. Not only do they have tasty drinks, but the vibes are always how they should be and they won’t break your bank- not for nothing, anyway!
Comments