10 Dec 2024

Best cocktail bars with harbour views in Darling Harbour

Looking for things to do in Sydney? Enjoying a few drinks and soaking in the harbour views at one of Darling Harbour’s best cocktail bars should be top of your list.

Sydney’s home to the world’s most beautiful harbour and hosts many incredible cocktail bars.

If you’re looking for things to do in Sydney this weekend, why not mix the two and sip a craft cocktail while you drink in panoramic harbour views? To get your evening started we’ve concocted a list of the best cocktail bars with stunning views in Darling Harbour.

Café Del Mar
Café Del Mar brings Ibizan style to Sydney, with an expansive sun drenched terrace on Cockle Bay Wharf, a long list of crafted cocktails and live DJs every weekend. Order a few of their delicious bite-sized tapas and a classic Negroni and soak in those panoramic harbour views.
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Champagne Bar by Sofitel
High in the Sofitel Hotel in the heart of Darling Harbour, you’ll find a taste of French sophistication and joie de vivre at Champagne Bar. This classy little watering hole features floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views over the glistening harbour - the perfect accompaniment to their extensive menu of premium champagnes and craft cocktails.
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29/30 at W Sydney
The top two floors of the W Hotel are hiding Sydney’s best rooftop bar. Level 29 has dining, drinking, dancing and DJs, with bookable pool cabanas that have a stunning view over the city and harbour. Level 30 is a little more sophisticated, with cocktails, vintage champagne and panoramic views.
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Planar
Planar serves some of Sydney’s most inventive cocktails, including a delicious smoked negroni with rosewater that will blow your mind. The views and vibes aren stunning thanks to its location by the water and the comfortable lounge seating can be a little difficult to get out of if you’ve had an especially ‘good time’.
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Cohibar
If you see cigar smoke drifting down from above while strolling past Harbourside, you’ve found Cohibar. This classy little joint has uninterrupted views over the harbour from its expansive terrace, a stocked selection of the finest Cuban cigars and a crew of serious mixologists behind the bar. Plus it's one of the few bars in Sydney with a 24-hour license so it’s the place to be if you want to go all night.
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Above 319
Atop Darling Harbour’s Vibe Hotel, there’s a bar that most locals don’t even know about. This little hideaway boasts a rooftop pool, stunning views over the city and the water and a stacked menu of delicious cocktails and canapes. We advise you get here ASAP - jump in the lift, order an Aperol spritz and soak in the vibes.
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Auvers Cafe
You could easily spend all day at Auvers Cafe. They serve one of the best brunches in Sydney and stay open until late when the venue transforms into an atmospheric bar and starts mixing premium cocktails. The entire drinks menu is delicious but the ‘Suitable Shoes’ is our favourite - this boozy concoction features homemade banana brandy, fig syrup and sour of espresso.
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Scotch and Co
If you like high grade wagyu steak cooked to perfection, panoramic sea views and delicious cocktails you’re going to love Scotch & Co. This luxury bar and eatery is located on level two of Harbourside and features an expansive terrace which looks out over Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bridge. If you're celebrating it doesn’t get much better than an MB9+ wagyu scotch fillet and an ice cold old fashioned at this classy joint.
Tokio Hotel
Google ‘what’s on in Sydney’ and chances are there’ll be something exciting happening at Tokio Hotel. This Darling Harbour bar hosts some of the city’s most talented musicians, live and large in their expansive venue on Cockle Bay Wharf. They’ve also got a large outdoor terrace with harbour views - the perfect spot to try a few of the delicious bevs on their cocktail menu.
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Zephyr
Zephyr floats high atop the Sydney skyline on level 12 of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It’s got uninterrupted 180-degree views over Darling Harbour and the city - the perfect accompaniment to their crafted cocktail menu. Grab a salted coconut espresso martini and a seat near the edge at sunset and drink it all in.
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For something more, get out, grab a drink or a bite and soak in the sun at The Rocks’ best alfresco dining venues