The Ivy
Sydney
Bar in Sydney, Australia
Book with PearlThe Read
Multi-Venue Block Format
Why go
A Sydney CBD nightlife choice that works better for energy, groups, late-night momentum than for a quiet meal. Book it when location and bar credibility matter; compare Felix Bistro & Bar, Dean & Nancy on 22, or Eau de Vie if the brief is date-night polish or cocktail focus.
About The Ivy
The Ivy is a Sydney venue with a smart casual dress code and a historical bar credential: it was ranked #50 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2010. For specific claims about cuisine, service style, menu, pricing, address, hours, or the best occasion for visiting, plan with the venue's current official information before committing.
Use The Ivy as a Sydney reference point when you want a venue with documented bar recognition, but do not assume details about the room, food, drinks list, booking format, or atmosphere from that accolade alone. For planning across the city, use Our full Sydney bars guide, Our full Sydney restaurants guide, Our full Sydney hotels guide, Our full Sydney wineries guide, Our full Sydney experiences guide as broader itinerary resources.
Choose it for bar recognition, not specific details
The safest planning filter is simple: The Ivy has a smart casual dress code and a 2010 World's 50 Best Bars #50 ranking. Anything more specific, such as cuisine, signature drinks, seating, price, hours, noise level, or occasion fit, should be checked directly with the venue.
If you are comparing Sydney options, keep the brief clear. The Ivy can be considered alongside Bar Topa, Dean & Nancy on 22, Eau de Vie, Felix Bistro & Bar, Ragazzi, depending on what you are trying to book. Without current details on The Ivy's food, drink, or service format, the best comparison is based on your own priorities and the latest information from each venue.
Who should cross-shop before committing
Anyone booking around a specific dining style, budget, seating preference, or quieter occasion should cross-shop before committing, because those details are not specified for The Ivy. Felix Bistro & Bar, Dean & Nancy on 22, Eau de Vie, Bar Topa, Ragazzi are other Sydney venues to consider for different briefs.
For this booking, rely on these facts: The Ivy is in Sydney, the dress code is smart casual, it has a World's 50 Best Bars #50 recognition from 2010. For anything more detailed, confirm directly with the venue before making plans.
Planning details
- Location
- 330 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
- Website
- merivale.com/venues/ivy
- Phone
- +61 2 9240 3000
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Ivy reads as a large-scale, high-energy city complex built for nights that swell with people. Multiple levels and distinct zones create layering — from louder, clubby pockets to more relaxed lounge areas — and the site’s pool‑club element sets it apart from Sydney’s compact cocktail bars. It isn’t chasing programme-driven mixology credibility so much as staging occasions: birthdays, after‑work waves and post-event tides all land here without denting the atmosphere. Its World's 50 Best recognition in the late 2000s underlines how the venue once translated scale and ambition into international notice, anchoring its status in the city’s social life.
Best For
The Ivy is best when you come as a crowd. It’s built to host group nights, corporate blowouts and celebratory gatherings — the copy specifically notes the venue can ‘absorb entire companies, birthday parties, and post-event crowds.’ Expect it to perform for after‑work drinks, late‑night celebrations and larger outings where atmosphere and scale matter more than intimate, programme-led cocktail service. Multiple zones let groups find a corner that suits their energy level, from livelier pool-club areas to slightly quieter lounge spaces.
Venue details
Ambiance
Glamorous and vibrant with low pools, vertical gardens, and varied seating; transforms into a lively, crowded club scene at night.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Rooftop Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Club Music
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
Choose Eau de Vie if the night is built around cocktails rather than venue scale. Choose Dean & Nancy on 22 for a more composed date setting with less of a big-night feel.
Bar context
How it compares in Sydney
Bar Topa is the easier pick for a casual first drink or a lower-commitment start to the night, while The Ivy is better when the group wants a larger CBD address and a later-evening feel. If value means a tighter, more focused experience, Bar Topa has the edge; if value means one venue that can absorb a bigger night out, The Ivy makes more sense.
Felix Bistro & Bar and Ragazzi are stronger choices when dinner is the anchor. Felix suits a more polished bistro-style evening, while Ragazzi is the better cross-shop for wine-and-pasta intent. The Ivy is less precise as a dining decision but stronger for guests who care more about centrality and after-dark momentum.
For cocktails, compare it with Dean & Nancy on 22 and Eau de Vie. Dean & Nancy on 22 is the better call for a more composed date or hotel-bar feel, Eau de Vie is the sharper choice when drinks are the main event. The Ivy is the practical pick for a bigger, busier night rather than a tightly controlled cocktail session.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Ivy guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Ivy
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Ivy | Sydney | 2010 World's 50 Best Bars · #502009 World's 50 Best Bars · #14 |
| Bar Topa | Sydney | No published awards |
| Felix Bistro & Bar | Sydney | No published awards |
| Ragazzi | Sydney | No published awards |
| Dean & Nancy on 22 | Sydney | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #396Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1382026 Pinnacle Guide |
| Eau de Vie | Sydney | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #4052014 World's 50 Best Bars · #312013 World's 50 Best Bars · #252012 World's 50 Best Bars · #252011 World's 50 Best Bars · #13 |
How The Ivy Sydney compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the food good at The Ivy?
Details about The Ivy's food are not available. It is in Sydney, has a smart casual dress code, was ranked #50 on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2010. If food is the main reason for going, compare current information for Ragazzi and other Sydney dining options before booking.
Is The Ivy good for a date?
There is not enough information to judge The Ivy as a date venue. Check current venue details directly, including atmosphere and booking requirements. Felix Bistro & Bar or Dean & Nancy on 22 may also be worth comparing for a Sydney date plan.
What's the crowd like at The Ivy?
Details about the crowd and atmosphere are not available. Key details include the Sydney location, smart casual dress code, the 2010 World's 50 Best Bars #50 recognition. For comparison, you may also want to review current details for Eau de Vie.
Is The Ivy good for groups?
Information on group suitability is not provided, so confirm directly with The Ivy before planning a group visit. If you are comparing Sydney venues, Bar Topa and Eau de Vie may also be worth checking depending on the kind of booking you need.
Do I need a reservation at The Ivy?
Reservation requirements are not specified. Check The Ivy's official booking channels for the latest availability and policies. If you are comparing alternatives for a Sydney booking, Felix Bistro & Bar is another option to review.
