Nestled in the inner west, Newtown is an eclectic gem that's packed with top-tier bars and eateries.
With breweries, wine bars, saké spots and more, the variety of Newtown bars makes the suburb perfect for an evening of booze-fuelled exploration.
These are the best Newtown bars to plan a visit to.
Bar Planet
Enmore Road
This one’s for the martini fans—Bar Planet is a Newtown cocktail bar dedicated to the booze-on-booze concoction. Order via the pre-printed slip which covers your usual vermouth ratios and garnish, or chat to the vibrant staff to find the drink for you, and pair it with some of their insanely more-ish free popcorn.
The weekly sgroppino blending seasonal fruit with prosecco and a boutique spirit is always worth a try.
Odd Culture
King Street
If you want your night out to involve wine, Odd Culture needs to be a stop. This “exploration of fermentation” pairs a significant by-the-glass list of minimal intervention wines with an expansive bottle list spotlighting lesser-known varieties, unique house cocktails, and one of Sydney’s largest collections of farmhouse-style, lambic- and wild-fermented, and sour beers.
The Newtown bar and restaurant’s food menu also features fermented ingredients, plating typically European dishes with Asian ingredients. There are low tables and banquettes for dining, bar seating, and a few coveted spots for people watching out the window.
Websters
King Street
Offering a ground-floor bar, a level-one Prohibition-style whisky bar with over 1000 whiskies, and a rooftop space, Websters has all of your Newtown bar needs covered.
We recommend heading up to the rooftop— where the vibe is Aussie backyard barbecue with faux turf, hanging plants and Aussie memorabilia—for sunset drinks overlooking Newtown’s hustle and bustle.
Ante
King Street
Ante is a sophisticated spot that serves up vinyl tunes as smooth as the rice wine its menu is focused on. The list includes 65 saké from 21 different makers across Japan (as well as alternatives and low-alcohol options), with a seasonally changing menu designed to complement the sips on offer.
Expect to leave this Newtown bar with a newfound appreciation for sake (and, perhaps, a jazz artist to pursue at home—the records that line the walls form the venue's suave soundtrack).
SPON
King Street
A sibling to Odd Culture, SPON is a Newtown wine bar that shakes up the traditional format of perusing and purchasing wine to encourage discovery.
Rather than offering a fixed by-the-glass list, SPON’s list is decided by consumers, with any bottle in the store available to be selected to be opened and served over the course of the day.
Simple snacks from the Odd Culture kitchen like charcuterie, cheese, and tuna crudo with potato chips are on the menu, which can be enjoyed at the bar or French oak communal table inside, in the front window overlooking King Street, or on four streetside tables.
Mountain Goat
King Street
An outpost of the original in Melbourne's Richmond, the Mountain Goat Newtown brewpub has 12 taps of your favourites from the label, as well as cocktails featuring their signature hopped gin, and hand-picked Aussie wines.
There's a menu of pizzas, burgers and pub classics to complement the bev offering, and room for 155 across the dog-friendly converted furniture warehouse and beer garden—so you'll (almost) always find a seat.
Earl’s Juke Joint
King Street
If you walk past a closed butcher shop but hear a roaring good time inside, you’re probably strolling past one of Newtown’s best bars. Since 2013, the New Orleans-inspired Earl’s Juke Joint has been offering bloody good cocktails by candlelight.
Find a seat at the beautiful wooden bar that nearly stretches the length of the place, with a stacked back bar and old-school photos and memorabilia creating a cosy atmosphere that begs you to stay for a few. Drinks range from out-of-this-world cocktail concoctions to Resch’s on tap and natty wines.
Buddy’s
King Street
Don’t be put off by Buddy’s reputation as having “no staff”; this Newtown bar is a self-serve boozery, which creates a laid-back, house party atmosphere that fits in perfectly on King Street.
With 33 pour-your-own taps offering everything from classic beers alongside rotating weird and wonderful brews to smashable vino like Doom Juice pet nat, spicy margaritas, and more lining the walls, you’re spoiled for choice.
There are DJs and comedy nights throughout the week, so you’re always in for a good time.
Mary’s
Mary Street
The original location of the banging late-night Mary's collective, this spot is known for its incredible burgers (vegan options included), making it the perfect dive bar vibe to get down and dirty with craft beer tinnies, orange wine, boutique spirits or a cheeky JD, perhaps.
Fortunate Son
Enmore Road
This Newtown bar takes its name from a Credence Clearwater Revival song–so you know the vibes are big.
At Fortunate Son, you can expect a neighbourhood bar concept based on the romance of great music, with a 300-bottle strong collection of mezcal (hell yes), tequila and whisky, as well as proper champagne and a lengthy cocktail menu.
Young Henrys
Wilford Street
Odds are you’ve sipped on a refreshing Newtowner before—trust us, they taste better at the source. Tucked off the main drag you’ll find Young Henrys’ Newtown brewery and tasting bar, with a laid-back garage vibe and the core range and limited releases on tap.
She Loves You
King Street
She Loves You is the kind of place you could sit for hours—and with only a handful of expertly selected wines on the often-changing glass list, you could probably try every one.
Beyond wines (which are exclusively low- or no-intervention), there’s a range of whiskeys, beers and ciders, a few craft-style non-alcoholic sips, and a cocktail list that’ll crush your midweek blues and lift your spirits, with each unique cocktail showcasing a native ingredient, including pepper leaf, desert lime and Davidson plum.
Now check out the best bars in Sydney if you're keen to head further afield.
Image credit: Odd Culture, Bar Planet, Odd Culture, Ante, Mountain Goat, Buddy's, Mary's, Young Henrys