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Cheap drinks, free food: 12 of Sydney’s best happy hour specials (with snacks)

From cocktails and hot dogs, to roast beef chip butties, here are the hunger-busting happy hours to try, right now.

Bianca Hrovat
Bianca Hrovat

It’s knock-off time in Sydney and there’s a growing number of bars offering discounted snacks as part of their happy hour special. From free karaage chicken at a bustling late-night diner in Haymarket, to a selection of tinned fish and Spanish aperitifs at cut prices in Potts Point, here are our picks of the bunch.

Vermuteria, Potts Point.
1 / 3Vermuteria, Potts Point.Supplied
A plate of mortadella and pickles paired with sweet vermouth.
2 / 3A plate of mortadella and pickles paired with sweet vermouth.Christopher Pearce
Vermouth is served from barrels at Vermuteria.
3 / 3Vermouth is served from barrels at Vermuteria. Christopher Pearce

Vermuteria, Potts Point

When: 5-6pm daily.

What: A selection of fortified Spanish wines such as sherry and vermouth are available at discounted prices during “Vermouth Hour” at this cosy, neighbourhood bar. Pair with a selection of tinned seafood, perhaps razor clams or grilled sardines, for the full Euro experience.

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How much: Drinks from $9; snacks from $12.

Bonus: Visit Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday to score a hot dog and a beer or vermouth for $20.

60 Kings Cross Road, Potts Point, vermuteria.com.au

Funda is a fun time in a highly aesthetic space.
Funda is a fun time in a highly aesthetic space.Supplied.

Funda, Sydney

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When: 5-6pm daily.

What: Throwback R&B hits, Korean snacks and soju cocktails make “Hoju Soju Hour” at this modern Korean restaurant the ultimate post-work pick-me-up. Try a soju martini with a selection of dishes such as fried seaweed rolls with prawns and scallops, and Korean fried chicken.

How much: Cocktails from $12, two beers for $10; snacks from $3.

Tenancy 2 & 3/50 Pitt Street, Sydney, fundasydney.com.au

Try great wines for just $10 a glass during happy hour at Where’s Nick.
Try great wines for just $10 a glass during happy hour at Where’s Nick.Louie Douvis
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Where’s Nick, Marrickville

When: 5-6pm Tue-Fri.

What: Score a curated selection of natural wines (perhaps Quealy Bianco skin contact, or a chilled Alpha Box & Dice Meunier Malbec) at bargain prices during happy hour at this acclaimed inner-west wine bar. Our tip: Order the focaccia with a side of warm fava bean dip, too.

How much: A rotating selection of three house wines, negronis, pastis (anise-flavoured aperitif) or limoncello spritzes for $10; snacks for $5.

Bonus: There’s a plat du jour special every Tuesday to Thursday, which includes a main − perhaps pici noodles with clams and bottarga, or pine mushrooms on parmesan polenta − and a glass of wine for $35.

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236 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, wheresnick.com.au

Alfie’s roast beef and hot chip butty.
Alfie’s roast beef and hot chip butty.Supplied

Alfie’s, Sydney

When: 4-6pm daily.

What: Ice-cold martinis are paired with spit-roast beef and chip butties during happy hour at this high-energy CBD restaurant. Martinis not your vibe? There’s also a selection of discounted beer, wine and other cocktails. Our tip: Pick up a burnt honey and beef-fat paddle-pop for the commute home.

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How much: Wine from $10, cocktails from $6; hot-chip roast-beef butty for $17.

Shop 2, 4/6 Bligh Street, Sydney, liquidandlarder.com.au/venues/alfies

Thursday nights are pasta nights at bar Elvina.
1 / 3Thursday nights are pasta nights at bar Elvina.Supplied
Cosy up with a $10 glass of wine by the fire.
2 / 3Cosy up with a $10 glass of wine by the fire.Supplied
Oysters during happy hour at Bar Elvina.
3 / 3Oysters during happy hour at Bar Elvina. Supplied

Bar Elvina, Avalon

When: 4-6pm Wed-Fri.

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What: Forget beach weather − cosy up by the roaring fire and listen to vinyl records with a discounted glass of Australian-made natural wine (from the likes of David Franz or Jumpin’ Juice) at Bar Elvina. The happy hour offering also includes a half-dozen Sydney rock oysters from the South Coast for $22.

How much: House wine for $10, Estrella Damm lager for $6, margaritas for $15; half-dozen oysters for $22.

Bonus: Thursday is “Pasta & Vino” night, where you can fill up on a bowl of pappardelle oxtail ragu or spaghetti vongole for $29, inclusive of a glass of wine.

Level 1/50 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, barelvina.com.au

It’s aperitivo hour between 4-6pm at Bar Conte.
1 / 3It’s aperitivo hour between 4-6pm at Bar Conte. Steven Woodburn
One of the riffs on the negroni at Bar Conte.
2 / 3One of the riffs on the negroni at Bar Conte.Steven Woodburn
Crostini plate.
3 / 3Crostini plate.Johnny Diaz
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Bar Conte, Surry Hills

When: 4-6pm Mon-Fri.

What: Free snacks! Just a short walk from Central Station, Bar Conte is a Negroni bar and Italian restaurant serving a complimentary snack (chef’s choice of loaded focaccia, spice-roasted nuts or marinated olives) with every drink ordered during aperitivo hour. The drinks line-up includes a Venetian spritz, Campari and soda, and (our pick) the Americano.

How much: Drinks from $12; other snacks from $4.

340 Riley Street, Surry Hills, barconte.com.au

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Diners outside Nakano Darling on Steam Mill Lane.
1 / 3Diners outside Nakano Darling on Steam Mill Lane.Edwina Pickles
Snacks at Nakano Darling.
2 / 3Snacks at Nakano Darling.Supplied
Nakano Darling, Darling Square.
3 / 3Nakano Darling, Darling Square.Supplied

Nakano Darling, Haymarket

When: 5-6pm Mon-Fri.

What: The team behind Yakitori Yurippi in Crows Nest have created a relaxed Japanese izakaya serving classic snacks such as gyoza, grilled salmon with homemade miso, and chicken karaage. The latter is offered free with any tap beer during happy hour. Keen to make it a big one? The bar is open until 2am.

How much: Free karaage chicken with any tap beer, from $12; beer towers from $65.

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14 Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket, nakanodarling.com.au

Rocker’s beer and burger deal.
1 / 3Rocker’s beer and burger deal.Ethan Smart
Rocker restaurant and bar in Bondi.
2 / 3Rocker restaurant and bar in Bondi. Anna Kucera
Margs are discounted during happy hour on Fridays at Rocker.
3 / 3Margs are discounted during happy hour on Fridays at Rocker.Supplied

Rocker, Bondi

When: 3.30-5.30pm Wed-Fri.

What: In Bondi, the early bird gets the beer and cheeseburger special. During “Burger and Beer Hour” punters can score a cheeseburger (with a wagyu beef patty, melted cheese, grilled onion and house-made burger sauce) and a schooner for just $19. Add a side of fries, salad or cheesecake for $5.

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How much: From $19 for a cheeseburger and schooner of tap beer.

Bonus: Book in on Wednesdays for all-you-can-eat mussels, served with toasted sourdough and your choice of house-made sauce, for $45 per person; and discounted 500ml cocktail jugs from $49.

5/39-53 Campbell Parade, North Bondi, rockerbondi.com.au

Tortas and tinnies for $20 every Wednesday at Ricos.
1 / 3Tortas and tinnies for $20 every Wednesday at Ricos. Alana Dimou
The colourful courtyard by night.
2 / 3The colourful courtyard by night.Steven Woodburn
Rico’s Tacos in Redfern.
3 / 3Rico’s Tacos in Redfern.Steven Woodburn

Rico’s Tacos, Redfern

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When: 4-6pm Tue-Fri for happy hour; “Tortas and Tinnies” from 5pm Wed.

What: Tap beers, house wines and margs are on special during Rico’s weeknight happy hour, but the best night to go is Wednesday. The “Tortas and Tinnies” meal deal includes a torta (Mexican-style burger), a side of fries and a can of Tecate beer for $20. Plus, pool is free.

How much: From $7 for beer and wine, $15 margaritas; Wednesday meal deal $20.

305 Cleveland Street, Redfern, ricostacos.com.au

Tucano’s, Darlinghurst.
1 / 3Tucano’s, Darlinghurst.Supplied
Tucano’s colourful interiors.
2 / 3Tucano’s colourful interiors.Nikki To
Carrot and miso dumplings with coriander and white soy sauce.
3 / 3Carrot and miso dumplings with coriander and white soy sauce.Supplied
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Tucano’s, Surry Hills

When: 5-6.30pm Wed-Fri.

What: Friday night plans are sorted. Slide into the mirror-ball booth and take in the party vibes at Tucano’s, where fun tropical cocktails, natural wines and craft beers are all discounted during happy hour. Food specials include spanner crab and prawn “lollipops”, carrot and miso dumplings, and Vanella stracciatella cheese with pickled persimmon.

How much: Beer and wine from $8, cocktails from $12; all snacks $12.

277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills, tucanos.com.au

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Free snacks during happy hour at Morrison’s.
1 / 3Free snacks during happy hour at Morrison’s. Supplied
Morrison’s, Sydney.
2 / 3Morrison’s, Sydney.Supplied
Morrison’s slings free sliders during happy hour.
3 / 3Morrison’s slings free sliders during happy hour.Supplied

Morrison’s, Sydney

When: 4-6pm Mon-Fri.

What: This has got to be the most generous happy hour in Sydney. On top of its discounted drinks (including $10 Negronis), Morrison’s is serving free food. Sliders, house-made sausage rolls and cooked-to-order crisps are available, for free, to anyone in the venue − regardless of whether you’ve ordered a drink.

How much: Cocktails from $10, beer and wine from $7; free snacks.

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225 George Street, Sydney, morrisons.sydney

Hot dogs are on special during happy hour at Pleasure Club.
1 / 3Hot dogs are on special during happy hour at Pleasure Club.Supplied
Pleasure Club, Newtown.
2 / 3Pleasure Club, Newtown. Parker Blain
Cocktails from $15 during happy hour at Pleasure Club.
3 / 3Cocktails from $15 during happy hour at Pleasure Club.Supplied

Pleasure Club, Newtown

When: 4-7pm Wed-Sun.

What: This bizarre and beautiful late-night bar from the Odd Culture team has just announced a new happy hour, launching Wednesday, May 22. Score hot dogs with LP’s Quality Meats sausages from $9, plus a discounted line-up of beers and unusual cocktails (hello, Passion Pop cocktail made from gin, yuzushu and passionfruit).

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Bianca HrovatBianca HrovatBianca is Good Food's Sydney-based reporter.

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/goodfood/sydney-eating-out/cheap-drinks-free-food-12-of-sydney-s-best-happy-hour-specials-with-snacks-20240514-p5jdjg.html