Australian Bar Awards 2026: Winning Bars & Voting

Old Mate's Place is a strong Sydney CBD pick when the night needs credible cocktails without a difficult booking process. It works especially well for dates and small groups who want a central Clarence Street option; choose a food-led venue instead if dinner is the main event.

Book Old Love’s when the night needs a rum-focused basement bar rather than a broad cocktail list. It works especially well for dates, small groups, and late-evening drinks with Caribbean-inspired snacks; less so for anyone after a bright, neutral, business-friendly room.

Continental Deli Bar Bistro on Australia St in Newtown is worth booking if you want a by-the-glass wine program that goes beyond the standard neighbourhood bistro offering. The room is warm and low-key, booking is easy, and it suits two to four people looking for a relaxed evening with considered wine. A solid regular's choice in the inner-west.

Bar Tilda is a practical Sydney CBD choice for polished drinks, dates, and business-adjacent catch-ups, especially when convenience matters. The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth setting makes it feel more composed than a casual bar crawl stop, but it is not the right pick if the main brief is outdoor seating, published drinks deals, or a heavily food-led night.

Byrdi is the Melbourne pick for a drinks-led night where cocktail ambition matters more than casual convenience. Its recognition on major bar lists, including World's 50 Best Bars #35 in 2024 and Top 500 Bars Best Bars #159 in 2025, makes it worth planning around for serious cocktail drinkers, but less suited to budget rounds or flexible group plans.

Book Bar Rochford when the night needs a serious drinks program in central Canberra rather than a generic bar crawl stop. Tatler's 2025 Best Bars Asia-Pacific listing and Star Wine List recognition in 2026 make it a strong pick for wine- and cocktail-minded drinkers, especially on a return visit when the list matters more than novelty.

Maybe Sammy is worth prioritising for a two-person cocktail night in The Rocks when the drinks are the main event. It is a stronger choice than a casual fallback bar, but less suited to quiet conversation or last-minute ease. Plan around it, then keep dinner or wine nearby rather than stacking the night with another high-commitment cocktail stop.

Cantina OK is worth targeting for a compact, drinks-first Sydney night, especially as a late stop before or after dinner. It has a credible awards signal from Tatler's 2025 Best Bars Asia-Pacific list, but food is not the reason to choose it; pair it with a proper restaurant if dinner matters.

Above Board is easiest to recommend as a late Collingwood second stop rather than a full dinner plan. Go when Smith Street location and nightly late hours matter; choose a more restaurant-led venue if the group needs published pricing, cuisine, or specific dishes before committing.

Three Horses works for a casual cocktail-led night in Melbourne’s CBD, especially if you want an easy, social room rather than a formal lounge. The 2026 Tales Spirited Awards Best New International Cocktail Bar Top 10 Nominee signal gives it credibility at about $30 per person, but it is less suited to dinner plans, outdoor seating, or wine-first drinking.

Bar Copains is worth shortlisting for a wine-led Surry Hills drink when the goal is quality without a high-admin booking. Star Wine List recognition for 2026 gives it more credibility than a generic neighbourhood bar, but treat it as a bar-first choice rather than a guaranteed full dinner plan.