The holiday season is over, but that doesn’t mean your social life has to stop. There are drinks and dining discounts to get you out and about all summer, without putting a huge dent in the budget. From $12 margs by the beach to $10 dessert at a beautiful bistro, here are the January specials around Sydney you need to know about.

The Shop and Wine Bar, Bondi

Pretend you’re still on holiday with sunset drinks beneath the umbrellas at The Shop and Wine Bar. It’s big on vibes, fun Australian winemakers and light, snacky meals (think DIY cheeseboards and hearty salads). Visit between 3pm and 6pm each day for happy hour, when they serve a selection of beer and wine for $9 a glass.

Good to know: It’s a small venue, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation.

78 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach, theshopandwinebar.com

Hitang, Auburn

Chances are, you’ve never seen anything quite like Western Sydney newcomer Hitang. The casual Korean-Chinese restaurant uses automation to make its noodles fresh-to-order, and cooks them within rotating pots using powerful flame torches. Order one noodle dish (with options like the black bean sauce jajangmyeon or the spicy seafood number jjamppong, from $19) and you’ll score unlimited noodle refills and access to all-you-can-eat sides (banchan).

Good to know: The menu is certified halal and has a few vegetarian options.

15 Silverwater Road, Auburn, hitang.com.au

Randy’s Wine, Avalon Beach

You’ll find $3 oysters from 3pm to 5pm every Wednesday to Friday during aperitivo at Randy’s Wine. The discounts extend to drinks, with glasses of wine from $10, $7 schooners of Estrella and $12 margs. In short, just about everything you need to enjoy a sunny afternoon at this 25-seat neighbourhood wine bar.

Good to know: Keen to kick on? Upstairs, sibling venue Bar Elvina continues the happy hour specials until 7pm.

50 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, randyswine.com.au

Nu’u by Nativo, Glebe

Every Tuesday is Callejero Tuesday at Nu’u, the Oaxacan restaurant from executive chef Manuel Diaz and his wife, mezcologist Diana Farrera. Callejero means “from the street”, so saddle up for $5 tacos (beef birria, pork carnitas and potato with chorizo) with any drink purchase. Double the savings by visiting during happy hour (5pm-6pm), when it’s $7 for a glass of rosé or a bottle of Corona.

Good to know: Nu’u also offers some tables at 50 per cent off on the reservation platform First Table.

29 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, nuubynativo.com.au

Takam, Darlinghurst

It’s all about snacks every Wednesday and Thursday at this recently renovated Filipino restaurant, which runs “pulot” (finger food) nights from 5.30pm to 7pm. That makes it an affordable time to try dishes like pork sisig (a sizzling pork dish) and lumpia de Shanghai (Filipino spring rolls) with house wines from $10, Reckless Brewery pale ale for $9 and cocktails combining native Australian and Filipino flavours for $15.

Good to know: Takam also hosts a late-night happy hour from 9pm on Saturdays, with the above drink specials.

324 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, takam.com.au

Firepop, Enmore

The SMH Good Food Guide’s New Restaurant of the Year for 2025 offers a late-night happy hour from 9.30pm until midnight every Thursday to Saturday. Expect a discounted menu of flame-grilled skewers (including their signature lamb and cumin for just $6), White Bay lager ($6) and “mystery wines” ($10 a glass) selected by co-owner and sommelier Alina Van.

Good to know: Firepop is just a one-minute walk from the Enmore Theatre, making it a prime destination post-show.

137 Enmore Road, Enmore, firepop.com.au

The Charles, Sydney

If your sweet tooth strikes after 8pm between Monday and Saturday, you can head to The Charles for discounted ice-creams and martinis. The $10 mini caramel “Magnums” are made in-house, and The Charles signature martini ($13) uses Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin and Saison vermouth. They join a Supper Club line-up of $12 wines, $2 oysters and snacks from $8.

Good to know: The Charles also serves afternoon tea, with a roaming dessert trolley and free-flowing tea and coffee from $79.

66 King Street, Sydney, thecharles.sydney

Mr Hotpoter, Burwood

Say hello to Sydney’s first hot pot train: like a sushi train, but with soup. Diners select their broth base (starting from $6.99), then add to it from a conveyor belt of ingredients priced between $1 and $3. Choose from lotus root, lobster claws, black fungus and more, then hit the self-serve sauce station and finish with unlimited sides (including sliced fruit, fried chicken and pickled vegetables). The concept is proving popular, so expect a queue (it’s walk-in only).

Good to know: Mr Hotpoter plans to open a second location in Chatswood early this year.

Level 1, Shop 107 and 108, Burwood Chinatown, 127-133 Burwood Road, Burwood, instagram.com/mrhotpoter

Sketch, Manly

Sketch is a charming coffee, curry and craft beer bar in Manly that ticks just as many boxes when it comes to deals. On Mondays, there’s BYO wine; Wednesdays get you a bottle off the list for half the price; and every day of the week there’s a $54 banquet (including eight dishes). The menu is a contemporary line-up of Indian food such as naan with Pepe Saya butter and confit garlic, and eight-hour Rangers Valley beef brisket served with a spiced kolhapuri gravy.

Good to know: Sketch is teaming up with chefs Dhruv Sadaphal (ex-Freds) and Adwait Jagtap (Fabbrica, ex-Raja) for Flavours Unbound, a two-part dinner series ($69) on January 14 and 28.

19 Pittwater Road, Manly, sketchmanly.com