We all need some happy times after a hard day at work and here at Sydney Scoop, just like you, we enjoy sampling a hearty ale, punchy cocktail or a glass or two of vino at a price that will make us even happier. Get along to these CBD venues for a warming winter drink and feed at happy hour prices.
The Bear Bar - Haymarket
Basement of Capitol Square, 730 George Street
0451 029 226
Vibe: après-ski / winter lodge – cosy comfy sofas, friendly welcomes, laid back
Happy Hour Tuesday - Friday 4pm to 6pm, Saturday 5pm to 7pm:
$6 European tap beers
$6 red and white wine
$12 selected cocktails
Daily Specials:
Tuesdays - $3 meatball pots (around 10) served with lingonberry jam or chilli sauce
Wednesday – a moveable feast – check Facebook page for details
Thursday - $12 selected cocktails from 4pm to 10pm.
July Special Event: Christmas in July Trivia (7pm on a Wednesday – book in your team of 2 to 8 people)
Prizes to be won ($100 bar tab winners, $50 runner ups, bar glasses for 3rd) teams of 2 to 8 people.
Winter Special: Mulled wine – $11 served in a coffee mug with a ginger snap biscuit, The Bear Bar’s piping hot mulled wine is a spicy on the sweet side (but not too much) concoction made with red wine, clove stuffed oranges, cinnamon sticks and a few secret ingredients.
Food Selections: great comfort food reasonably priced and includes fries, buffalo wings, potato wedges, burgers (wagyu; pulled pork; chicken), cheese board, chocolate mud cake served with ice cream ($10).
Marble Bar – Town Hall, Sydney
Basement of Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street
+61 2 9266 2000
Vibe: clubby sophisticated heritage feel dating back to 1893 with leather sofas and grand Victorian Italianate architecture. A speak easy dance vibe is created Thursday to Sunday with live bands and djs starting from 7pm. Dress snappy as a strict dress code is enforced – no thongs, t-shirts, shorts or sneakers.
Happy Hour 6pm to 8pm daily:
$15 house cocktails (Lychee Rose Martini; Gold Rush; Spirit of St Louis)
$8 house wines (Tempus Two Pinto Gris; Tempus Two Shiraz)
$8 house beers (Heineken, Kirin, Little Creatures Pale Ale, James Squire 150 Lashes), $8 house spirits (vodka, gin, tequila, rum, Scotch whisky)
Food Selections: the usual bar snacks such as potato shoestring fries, spicy mixed nuts, marinated warmed olives, Sydney rock oysters, Korean fried chicken, sliders, club sandwich as well as share platters (antipasto, cheese boards, and cured meats) and pizzas (gluten free option available upon request). The pizzas are a good fresh flavoursome accompaniment, especially the prosciutto, olive, mushroom, red onion, rocket and parmesan cheese pizza all served on a wonderfully crispy thin base ($27).
Argyle Tavern – The Rocks
18 Argyle Street
+61 2 9247 5500
Vibe: upmarket cocktail bar/pub in a heritage building
Happy Hour Monday-Friday 5pm to 7pm:
$7.50 espresso martinis
$10 margaritas
$5 beer, wine, house spirits
$1 wings
$49 antipasti board with bottle of house wine (up to 9pm)
Daily Specials:
Tuesdays – 12 noon to 9pm - $2 bao buns including crackling pork or crispy chicken
Thursdays – 7pm to 10pm - $10 top selling 10 cocktails
Saturday and Sunday – 12 noon to 3pm – bottomless rosé - $30 and $79 packages.
Food Selections: the usual suspects – share plates, mains, salads, pizzas and burger.
Chef’s Gallery - Town Hall, Sydney
Regent Place ground floor, Shop 12, 501 George Street
1300 8 24337
Vibe: upmarket bustling Asian restaurant
Happy Hour Monday - Thursday 5.30 to 6.30pm, Friday 4pm to 6pm, Saturday - Sunday 3.30pm to 5.30pm:
$8 signature cocktails (three to choose from)/mocktails (three to choose from) designed by Grant Collins
Winter Special: warming selection of dishes, including a $10 traditional chicken and sweetcorn soup served in a special bowl complete with its own fire heater and accompanied by a savoury Chinese doughnut.
Royal George Hotel – Wynyard, Sydney
Street level of the Ivy complex, 320 George Street
+61 2 9114 7308
Vibe: olde worlde English pub feel bustling with CBD workers
Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5pm to 7pm: $6 house spirits $6 house wines (red, white, sparkling) $6 schooner tap beers $7 pints tap beers $1 spicy BBQ buffalo wings Food Selections: reasonably priced gastropub classics
