Guest Reviews

"John was very accommodating and informative. Also, his comment in the listing that he will take you to bars that you would never likely find on your own is no joke! They are hidden in plain sight. I’d suggest taking the tour early in your visit to Sydney. That way you would have time to return and experience the bar(s) of your choice with friends or family. Me? I took the tour on my last night in Sydney.... :("

"It was fun to see the variety of small bars in such a small area. The smallest was like a big closet! John interspersed some history too which was interesting. Bars were very cool to see and many you would have no idea that they even existed without being shown. Best cocktail I ever had at one of the them!"

"Sure can’t thank you enough for a beyond memorable evening experience of you sharing the “under bellies” of amazing Sydney speak easy pubs that are so cleverly themed and specialty drinks they are recognized for! So many hidden gems that even a person like me who doesn’t drink a lot, can appreciate yet another charming quality Sydney life has to offer."

"Absolutely fantastic tour. Would highly recommend this to absolutely anybody. John was incredible and wasn't just a tour guide but a friendly face."

"John was an exceptional guide and I learned more about the cities drinking culture and significance than I could ever have imagined. I recommend this tour to anyone who has wants to have a little drink in the most gorgeous locations ✨🥂"

"Well what a fabulous night with a truly knowledgeable guide loaded with great stories about Sydney's hidden bars and off grid drinking culture. I arrived tired and a bit sluggish but John was excellent at tailoring the evening so we went to places that I'd have never guessed were there. Opium den, whisky bar, gin joint....with fascinating stories to tell. I had the benefit of having the tour to myself and John took care to listen to me and find out what interests me so he could seek out the best venues to visit. 100% recommend - you'll discover small bars, the best Chinese dumplings served up in a hidden basement room bathed in red light and a barber shop with a very interesting secret. Go book it now."

"We had such a great time on our hidden bar tour with John! He was incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining and friendly, and was great company throughout the night. He took us to some fantastic hidden bars that we never would have found on our own and also gave us plenty of recommendations for other places to visit afterwards. John made the whole experience fun and relaxed, and it felt more like exploring Sydney's bar scene with a knowledgeable local than being on a formal tour. We would definitely recommend this tour — and John — to anyone wanting a fun night out in Sydney!"

"Even tho the weather was not cooperative the experience was very eclectic! Thank you for showing me your amazing part of the world with all of your knowledge!"

"John is super friendly and knows Sydney's little hidden bars. There's no doubt in my mind that we wouldn't have found these magical little places without him. And what's more, he listens because if you have a favourite drink, he will find the bar with the largest collection. Don't be surprised if he takes you to an expensive barber or tailor... surprise"

"This walking tour blends in Sydney history as well as lgbtqia plus history in the city. Since John is someone born & raised in Sydney it adds a native perspective to the storytelling. Ultimately you do go to the LGBTQiA area and see how different sights relate to that history. Even though I was the only person, I enjoyed the tour because I got to learn some things that I wouldn't have noticed if I walked on my own. If you're looking for a walking tour that doesn't feel typical, take this tour."

"Lovely night out. John was so knowledgeable and the bars were fantastic. Well worth the experience!"

"Great opportunity to see multiple small characterful bars in a small area. Tasty food also available to purchase. Spirits and cocktails especially well catered for."

"What an enjoyable way to spend the evening. Looking forward to returning to Sydney with friends and bringing them to some of the hidden bars. Thanks"

"John was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the local area, and we found so many places we definitely would never have otherwise!"

"Suprise you all the hidden bars."

"I have a short trip to Sydney and joined this tour because I wanted to create some special memories! John introduced me to hidden bars that we might have otherwise just walked past, and he told me funny stories along the way. Although I can't speak English very well, John kindly explained things to me again whenever I didn't understand. John is a really kind and nice guide! If I come to Sydney again, I would love to experience this again. Thank you John!"

"John is a very knowledgeable host with a good sense of humor. We learned a lot about the history of the buildings around Hyde park and LGBTQ of course. He looked after every group member well and very easy-going. Thanks for the wonderful trip!"

"Wow, what a fantastic experience! From start to finish, this small bar tour was so much fun. We learnt so much about Sydney and its fascinating history, discovered some hidden gems, enjoyed some of the best dumplings I've ever had, and sipped delicious cocktails in some wonderfully quirky bars. John was an amazing guide—his knowledge, passion, and friendly personality really made the tour special. It was the perfect mix of history, food, drinks, and great company. I loved every minute of it and will definitely be booking another tour. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun and unique way to experience Sydney. Thanks again, John!"

"What a fabulous thing to do! We had so much fun discovering small bars that we would have never been able to find on our own. We met some great people, John was fun and his knowledge was impressive. Highly recommend!!"

"I had such a great time on this tour with John and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to experience a different side of Sydney. I’ve been to Sydney many times and have already seen most of the usual tourist attractions, so I was looking for something different. Recently, I’ve become interested in street art, and this tour absolutely delivered. I was the only guest that day, but John still pushed through, which I really appreciated. I’m usually a DIY traveller, but I decided to join a tour this time to learn more about the area and I’m so glad I did. John was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating stories about Newtown, Sydney’s history, and local secrets that I never would have discovered on my own. The food stops were great, and I loved visiting some of the unique shops along the way. I also really enjoyed exchanging travel stories with John throughout the day. Highly recommended!"

"Amazing experience, very memorable and well worth booking if you get a chance"

"John was a great host. He is warm, funny and very knowledgable. John's knowledge of Sydney and its quorky history was interesting and the bars we went to were great. As a Sydneysider I learnt a lot about my own city and I would never have found the bars on my own. I can 100% recommend John."

"John was great! he was very knowledgeable and showed up for me even though I was just 1 person. he was very warm bubbly and accomadating. would recommend you to go for this! it's unique and goes into the true taste of Sydney, beyond the bridge skyline and opera house"

"As a solo traveler, it was such a great experience to connect both with John as the local expert, as well as other travelers to Sydney. I guarantee you will discover some awesome bars that you NEVER would have otherwise!"

"John is an absolute legend. He took us to bars that were completed unmarked, with no visible signage, down stairways and corridors that looked unused. True, modern day speak-easys. It felt like it could take years of living in Sydney just to find some of them. It felt like we were the only tourists around"

"Great tour to go beyond the standard textbooks and learn about the less well known parts of Sydney’s history. A lot to learn here and we had a fun stop at a costume store and a unique gay bar. Recommended for history lovers or those just wanting to get into the Pride/Mardi Gras spirit."

"We had an amazing time with John! He was very informative and gave us a great experience. We laughed a lot and gained a wonderful impression of his beloved city. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fun, unique experience."

"John was easy going, he created a very memorable experience. Thanks John"

"John was a great host, I really enjoyed the tour around Newton and his knowledge of the area. It was an amazing way to get to know Sydney and the art did not disappoint. Highly recommend!"

"It was a great tour! I learned so much, and since I took it towards the beginning of my stay here, I have so many ideas of what to do for the rest of my stay. He was spot on for all of the food recommendations. The time flew by. I did not feel like it was too much walking, because of the little breaks to eat. I also went back to a few of the stores after the tour. Thank you for a great experience John."

"John knows his way around the Sydney bars. Showed us several bars that we would not have found on our own."

"非常开心的一次体验，john 带我们了解了 lgbt 在悉尼的历史，也让我们知道了悉尼是如此包容，开放，自由！"

Translated: "A very happy experience. John taught us about the history of LGBT in Sydney, and showed us how inclusive, open and free Sydney is!"

"John has a great knowledge of the history of the gay community in Sydney going back over a century. I’ve learned a lot about the origin of Mardi Gras and the festivities around it each year. Very pleasant interaction and easy to follow, John knows the vocabulary used and the places worth while stopping at. We ended at a very interesting gay bar for a beverage."

"In the short time I am visiting Sydney I would never have found these amazing “small bars” without John’s knowledge and direction. The vibes were great and the drinks incredible. Fascinating history and John keeps things entertaining. Would highly recommend. Nothing else like it in the city..."