Desperately Seeking Sydney's Small Bars
A$89 per person
To join a scheduled tour. Private tour for up to 10 guests: A$629 flat.
Desperately Seeking Sydney's Small Bars is a 3-hour evening walking tour through Sydney's hidden small bar scene, two city blocks of heritage laneways and unmarked doors, for guests 18 and over. Guests see up to 30 small bars and stop in at standouts including a dedicated whiskey bar, a dedicated gin bar, a dedicated rum bar, an opium den-themed bar and a bar known for its margarita, at a pace set by the group. It costs A$89 per person to join a scheduled tour (or A$629 flat for a private tour of up to 10 guests), runs with as few as 1 guest and a maximum of 6, and starts at 6:00 PM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from the foyer of the Hyatt Regency, 161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000. Drinks and food are optional purchases and are not included in the tour price. The tour finishes back at the Hyatt Regency or nearby in the CBD, depending on how long the group lingers.
About This Tour
Sydney Small Bar and Speakeasy Walking Tour
Sydney's best bars don't have a sign out front.
They're behind unmarked doors, down heritage laneways and below street level, and most visitors walk straight past them. Skip the tourist traps and drink where the locals do.
Over 3 hours, your guide takes you through Sydney's hidden small bar scene, just two city blocks where you'll see up to 30 small bars and speakeasies. You'll stop in at a dedicated whiskey bar, a dedicated gin bar and a dedicated rum bar, with two standout stops along the way, an opium den-themed hideaway and the bar behind a margarita guests can't stop raving about.
Your guide takes care of the route, the venues and the stories, including the historical context of Wynyard Park, so all you need to do is enjoy the night. Drinks are an optional purchase at each bar, not included in the tour price, so you only pay for what you choose to have. Some venues also serve food, and there's time to order and eat if you're keen.
It's just two city blocks, but trust us, there's a lot packed into them. Tours run with as few as 1 guest and are capped at 6, so this feels like a night out with a mate who happens to know all the good spots, not a bar crawl with strangers. You set the pace, not the guide. Linger over a cocktail or keep moving, the night goes wherever the group wants it to.
Exclusions
- Drinks and food, optional purchases at each venue, not included in the tour price
- Tips or gratuities for guides (not compulsory but welcome)
- Items of a personal nature
What's Included
- A local guide for the full 3 hours
- See up to 30 small bars in 3 hours, at a pace set by the group
- Stops at a dedicated whiskey bar, gin bar and rum bar
- A visit to an opium den-themed bar and the bar behind a margarita guests can't stop raving about
- Insider stories and local history along the way
- Historical context of Wynyard Park
- A small group of 1 to 6 guests, running even if you're the only guest
What To Expect
Meet your guide in the foyer of the Hyatt Regency on Sussex Street at 6:00 PM. Duck down heritage laneways and slip through unmarked doors into some of Sydney's most distinctive small bars, each with its own story. Hear the historical context of Wynyard Park along the way. Order a drink at each stop if you'd like one, or simply soak up the atmosphere. You set the pace, so the night finishes back where you started or nearby in the CBD, with insider tips for the rest of your evening. Comfortable walking shoes recommended. 18+ only, please bring valid photo ID.
Itinerary Highlights
- Meet in the foyer of the Hyatt Regency, 161 Sussex St, to kick off the evening
- Duck down heritage laneways and through unmarked doors most visitors walk straight past
- Take in the historical context of Wynyard Park along the way
- Stop at dedicated whiskey, gin and rum bars
- Discover an opium den-themed hideaway and the bar behind a margarita guests can't stop raving about
- Finish back at the Hyatt Regency foyer, or nearby if the group lingers, with insider tips for the rest of your night
Recent 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.... :("
Paul, Astoria, OR
Airbnb · October 2026
"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!"
Kalla
Google · October 2026
"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."
Andree
Email · October 2026
"Absolutely fantastic tour. Would highly recommend this to absolutely anybody. John was incredible and wasn't just a tour guide but a friendly face."
Dominic
Google · October 2026
Tour Schedule
| Days | Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday |
| Starts | 6:00 PM |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Meeting Point | Foyer Hyatt Regency, 161 Sussex St, Sydney |
| Ending Point | Hyatt Regency foyer, or nearby in the CBD depending on the group's pace |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tour 18+?
Yes, it's restricted to guests 18 and over. Please bring valid photo ID.
Are drinks included?
No. Drinks and food are optional purchases at each bar and are not included in the tour price, so you only pay for what you choose to have.
How many bars will we see?
You'll see up to 30 small bars in 3 hours and stop in at the standouts, including a dedicated whiskey bar, a dedicated gin bar, a dedicated rum bar, an opium den-themed bar and a bar known for its margarita. The group sets the pace, so how many you stop in at depends on how long you linger. Venues may vary slightly depending on the night.
Will the tour run if I'm the only guest?
Yes. Tours run with as few as 1 guest, and groups are capped at 6.
What nights does it run?
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, starting at 6:00 PM. It does not run on Fridays.
Where do we meet and finish?
The tour starts in the foyer of the Hyatt Regency, 161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000. Because the group sets the pace, it finishes back at the Hyatt if everyone keeps moving, or nearby in the CBD if the group lingers.
Book This Experience
Secure your spot — groups limited to 6
A$89 per person
To join a scheduled tour. Private tour for up to 10 guests: A$629 flat.
