Apollonia
Sydney
Restaurant in Sydney, Australia
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Apollonia is a basement bar on Young Street with late hours (until 1 AM Friday–Saturday) and walk-in counter seating. The intimate space suits regulars and post-dinner drinks more than planned group dinners. Best after 9 PM on weeknights or early Sunday evening when the room is quieter.
About Apollonia
Apollonia in Sydney is open from 4 PM daily, with closing times that run to midnight Monday through Wednesday, 1 AM Thursday through Saturday, and 10 PM on Sunday. The dress code is smart casual.
The Counter and the Space
Plan around the confirmed basics: Apollonia is a Sydney venue with late opening hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and a smart-casual dress code. If space, group suitability, or accessibility matters for your visit, check directly with the venue before going.
What to Expect
Apollonia opens at 4 PM every day, closes at midnight from Monday to Wednesday, stays open until 1 AM from Thursday to Saturday, and closes at 10 PM on Sunday.
If you are comparing options in Sydney, Cafe Sydney Restaurant, Chat Thai - Circular Quay, Disco Pantera, Neptune's Grotto, and Green Shiso are other venues to consider. Compare current details directly before making plans.
For more options in Sydney's dining and bar scene, explore our full Sydney restaurants guide and our full Sydney bars guide.
Quick reference: Open 4 PM–12 AM Monday to Wednesday, 4 PM–1 AM Thursday to Saturday, and 4–10 PM Sunday. Dress code: smart casual.
Planning details
- Location
- Basement Level/5-7 Young St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
- Reservations
- Book on SevenRooms
- Website
- apollonia.sydney
- Phone
- +61272281400
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Apollonia settles below street level, trading skyline spectacle for an inward-focused room that feels deliberately contained and considered. The basement setting dampens city bustle, encouraging a quieter, more intimate experience where architecture and the sourcing story take center stage. It reads like a sophisticated wine bar translated into a fine-dining context — attentive rather than theatrical, and quietly confident rather than loud. The space rewards slow attention: guests notice details of the room and the provenance-driven menu rather than any outward-facing view. Overall it feels like a discreet, refined spot for evenings that prioritize food and conversation.
Best For
Apollonia is best experienced in the evening for dinner, whether it’s a date night, a late-night meal or a special-occasion outing. The write-up places it firmly in Sydney’s fine-dining orbit, with a wine-bar-inflected intimacy and a sourcing-led menu that suits unhurried, focused meals. Signature elements such as the Apollonia Negroni and Sydney rock oysters underline a program built around cocktails and seafood, making it a natural choice for diners who arrive with the intention of lingering over thoughtful plates and drinks rather than quick bites.
Ordering Tips
Start with the venue’s signatures — the Apollonia Negroni and the Sydney rock oysters are called out and speak to the restaurant’s cocktail-and-seafood strengths. The piece emphasizes a sourcing-driven menu, so expect the offerings to follow what’s credible and seasonally available rather than fixed signatures; plan to lean into what the kitchen highlights that night. Given the basement, inward-facing room and fine-dining approach, prioritize dishes that showcase provenance and restraint, and allow the sourced-driven menu to guide choices rather than hunting for familiar, overly familiar items.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dimly lit with dramatic ambiance featuring hand-chipped 150-year-old sandstone walls, marble bars, stained wood, mismatched tiles, and red leather banquettes.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Apollonia Negroni
- Sydney rock oysters
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Basement Level/5-7 Young St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Planning details
Location
Basement Level/5-7 Young St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Disco Pantera, Notable alternative
- Green Shiso, Notable alternative
- Cafe Sydney Restaurant, Notable alternative
- Neptune's Grotto, Notable alternative
- Chat Thai - Circular Quay, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Apollonia's walk-in-only policy and late hours make it easier to access than Cafe Sydney Restaurant, which requires advance bookings and closes earlier. The trade-off: Apollonia offers no harbour views and limited seating flexibility. For a similarly casual vibe with more menu structure, Disco Pantera runs louder and longer, while Chat Thai - Circular Quay delivers faster service and better value if you need dinner before 10 PM.
Green Shiso and Neptune's Grotto both accept reservations and offer more spacious table seating, making them better fits for groups of four or more. Apollonia works best as a second stop after dinner elsewhere or a quiet weeknight drink at the counter, book the others if you need guaranteed seating or a full meal.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Apollonia guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Apollonia
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Apollonia | Sydney | 2026 Australian Bar Awards Venue Finalists |
| Disco Pantera | Sydney | No published awards |
| Green Shiso | Sydney | No published awards |
| Cafe Sydney Restaurant | Sydney | No published awards |
| Neptune's Grotto | Sydney | No published awards |
| Chat Thai - Circular Quay | Sydney | No published awards |
How Apollonia Sydney compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Apollonia?
Apollonia's dress code is smart casual. Choose neat, polished attire appropriate for an evening venue in Sydney.
How far ahead should I book Apollonia?
Check directly with the venue before visiting, especially if you are planning around the later Thursday-to-Saturday closing time of 1 AM.
What should I order at Apollonia?
Review the current menu or ask the venue directly when planning your visit.
What are alternatives to Apollonia in Sydney?
Other Sydney venues to compare include Cafe Sydney Restaurant, Chat Thai - Circular Quay, Disco Pantera, Green Shiso, and Neptune's Grotto. Check each venue's current hours, booking options, and offering before deciding.
