“With a name like Dine Out, you might be forgiven for thinking that Broadsheet’s winter festival is all about eating, but this year’s Sydney program has worked its way into plenty of the city’s hottest bars. We tapped 17 bars across the city to create a special one-off deal for the duration of the festival, from July 27 to August 2. Some venues offer substantial discounts, and others will serve meals that pair their venue’s most popular drinks with serious snacks. Here’s what’s happening around town.”

“Face time with the country’s top mixologists and bar managers, at venues ranging from Sydney’s Maybe Sammy to Melbournian go-to Gimlet, reveals why epicures are opting for fresher, lower ABV serves — bonus points if they can be recreated at home.”

“The dating scene is, let’s face it, a bit of a jungle. And if you’re feeling app fatigue and keen to take things back to good old-fashioned IRL chemistry, we hear you. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our mates at ING for a very special, very fun singles night: Dating on a Dime. Because in a world with rising costs and swipe fatigue, we're swapping small talk for spend talk and redefining what it really means to be a "good match" in 2026.”

“Dine Out has three happy hour trails split between Enmore, Potts Point and the CBD. They’re all good, but the CBD trail packs the biggest punch with eight venues taking part. Several of them are collaborating with other CBD venues to celebrate the width and breadth of the city’s scene. From black truffle Martinis and MSG Margs to half-priced Japanese whiskey and sorbet-spiked Daiquiris, here are the venues taking part in the Dine Out CBD happy hour.”

“Eat popcorn at any Mucho bar and you could find one of five $1000 vouchers to spend at the group’s venues. It’s like Willy Wonka – but with popcorn. Mucho is behind some of our favourite cocktail bars in Sydney, but the team has also won firm fans for its addictive free popcorn. Each bar has its own signature, from Bar Bridge’s nori seasoning to Bar Planet’s curry dust and Centro’s sugar and sumac popcorn.”

“After 10 years with Mucho Group, Daisy Tulley has taken on the role of group CEO. The move from general manager to group CEO was more about formalising her leadership position in the company, she tells Hospitality, rather than having a significant change in responsibility. With her former title, Tulley says she was able to take the lead without being as front facing to the industry and the public. Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight.”

“MUCHO group has just appointed Daisy Tulley as Group CEO, officially stepping into the top role overseeing the operation behind venues including Cantina OK!, Tio’s Cerveceria, The Cliff Dive, Bar Bridge, Bar Herbs, Centro 86 and Bar Planet.”

“Sip and save during happy hour at these bars and venues across the city serving affordable drinks and bargain bites.It’s winter in Sydney. The temperature’s dropping, prices are rising, and even your group chats are going quiet. In times like these – when a single round can cost an arm and a leg – we’re especially grateful for a good happy hour.”

“Look, we’re suckers for anything secret or remotely hidden, especially when there are cocktails at the end of the rainbow. While most secluded speakeasies in Sydney/Eora are hardly a secret, some are well-hidden, which means they can be tricky to find, especially in the dark.”

“Three pasta palaces, two food trucks, three Korean eateries and two new spots for a slice of pizza. Plus, bars for beer, wine, Martinis and Dirty Daiquiris.”

“A subterranean sanctuary where high living meets civilised drinking. From the bone-dry Bridge Martini to the glow of red-lit booths—this is Bar Bridge, filtered for the discerning.”

“The Sydney Comedy Festival (SCF) is back, bringing five weeks of non-stop laughs to the city. Whether you’ve locked in a show with family, mates or a date, this is not just a chance to discover fresh comedy talent, it’s the perfect excuse to explore new neighbourhoods and try somewhere new to eat along the way.”

“A sexy new Martini bar from the team behind some of the city’s best has opened in the CBD. Called Bar Bridge, after its location on Bridge Street in the former home of Double Deuce Lounge, it’s by the Mucho Group – the team behind some of the city’s finest drinking establishments (hello, Bar Planet, Cantina OK!, Centro 86, Bar Herbs, The Cliff Dive and Tio’s).”

“From intimate wine rooms and rooftop spritz spots to sultry late-night cocktail dens, Sydney’s bar scene is gearing up for a seriously exciting year. Whether you’re chasing exceptional wine lists, boundary-pushing cocktails or neighbourhood locals you’ll be visiting on repeat, these are the bar openings set to shape 2026. Trust us, your group chats are about to get busy.”

“Whether you take yours dry or wet, dirty or with a twist, Sydneysiders are downing martinis across the city like they’re going out of style. Sydney’s bar scene has always been something to celebrate. From organic wines in tucked-away Surry Hills bars to craft beers in Marrickville breweries and spicy margaritas in the CBD, there’s something for every taste. But lately, one classic has been stealing the spotlight. Right now, Sydney is all about the martini.”

“By the end of the week, Sydney will have welcomed a number of new on-premise venues and experiences.This includes Razz Room, a daiquiri bar and Odd Culture’s first CBD venue, opening on Tuesday, followed by W Sydney’s ode to Fernet-Branca, Caffé Fernet, two days later. These join recently-opened and hotly anticipated venues Bar Bridge and Bar Hanami – celebrations of martinis and whisky respectively.”

“MUCHO Group has opened a new martini bar in Sydney CBD, with Bar Bridge bringing extra-dry classics, pan-Asian flavours and a moodier after-dark energy to Bridge Street.”

“Mucho Group has unveiled Bar Bridge, a new cocktail venue bringing martini culture to Bridge Street in the CBD.”

“Sydney’s newest venue from Mucho Group, Bar Bridge, offers extra-dry Martinis and is inspired by classic European cocktail bars. Mucho Group is behind several cocktail venues in Sydney, including Bar Planet, agave bars Cantina OK and Centro 86, and, most recently, Herbs Taverne.”

“Putting their next foot forward in a not-so-slow domination of Sydney’s underground bar scene, MUCHO Group has opened Bar Bridge—a red-lit, basement martini bar (the third in the group’s growing lineup) taking over the former Double Deuce Lounge site.”