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El Primo Sanchez is a swish Mexican bar in Paddington.

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20 group-friendly spots for last-minute Christmas catch-ups in Sydney

From fun, fancy bars to old-school pubs and swanky new rooftops, Sydney has plenty of great places to catch up with good mates. Here are 20 new and new-ish places to eat, drink and be merry with friends.

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Striploin with chimichurri butter, twice-cooked chips and cos lettuce.

Catch up over fancy pub classics from a former Chiswick chef at inner west favourite The Erko

  • Lenny Ann Low
The rooftop bar

Join the glam rooftop party at the reborn Jacksons on George, or catch up for a quick bevvy at the public bar

  • Scott Bolles
Channelling the great Hollywood bars and supper clubs of last century.

Arrive early or very, very late to nab a plush leather booth at Caterpillar Club on Pitt St

  • Callan Boys
The cosy beer garden.

Meet old mates in the beer garden at Camperdown’s live and thumping Lady Hampshire

  • Lenny Ann Low
Harper Rooftop Bar claims to be the largest rooftop venue in Sydney’s CBD.

Snack on bar food by Luke Mangan at Sydney’s 180-seat open-air Harper Rooftop Bar

  • Scott Bolles
The main 50-seat dining room is lined with an Etruscan mural, giving it the air of a basement crypt.
Good Food hat15/20

Snag a walk-in spot at the Hubert team’s decadent new grillhouse Le Foote

  • Terry Durack
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El Primo Sanchez in Paddington.
14.5/20

Join the Mexican party (and slip in a karaoke session) at El Primo Sanchez on Oxford Street

  • Callan Boys
Saffron tagliatelle.

Grab a drink at Circular Quay’s latest sky-high al fresco destination, Martinez Terrace

  • Scott Bolles
From left: Managing director Joss Jenner-Leuthart, head of operations Merilin Nogu and design and projects director Victoria Punch.

Snack on hot chicken and take in the tunes at Belles Hot Chicken’s retro bar and restaurant

  • Megan Johnston
Croquettes, salted cod, avruga, pimento mayo at Casa Rosa.

Meet for late-night drinks at Chippendale’s revamped Abercrombie and rooftop bar Casa Rosa

  • Bianca Hrovat
Boscaiola pizza with fresh cream, fior di latte, ham, mushrooms, parsley and parmesan.

Catch up with the whole crew at Parramatta’s new 200-seat indoor-outdoor pizza parlour

  • Lenny Ann Low

Huelo in Newtown is like a bar sliced from a small street in Italy, France or Spain

  • Lenny Ann Low
Cornetto caviar
Good Food hat15/20

Soak up the Vegas-style vibe at Hurstville’s new glitzy pub dining room

  • Terry Durack
Where’s Nick is a friendly local bolthole for catch-ups.
14/20

Savour a special drop at Marrickville wine bar Where’s Nick

  • Callan Boys
Inside The Dolphin in Surry Hills.
13.5/20

Join the big, loud, negroni-fuelled house party at The Dolphin

  • Callan Boys
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Busby’s
14/20

Slide into a cosy booth at Paddington’s new dark and moody bar Busby’s

  • Terry Durack
The 120-seat Arturo's Rooftop caters to the growing demand for open, outdoor spaces.

Chill out on the all-weather terrace at Arturo’s Rooftop above the Woolly Bay Hotel

  • Scott Bolles
The Strand Hotel has been revamped, opening new rooftop bar Kasbah.

Darlinghurst rooftop bar Kasbah rocks Maybe Sammy cocktails and snacks from a top chef

  • Bianca Hrovat
The fairy bread ice-cream sandwich.

Share a fairy bread ice-cream sanger at Darlo’s new bar The Waratah

  • Scott Bolles
In another life, Amuro might have been an Aesop store.
14.5/20

Arrive early to nab a tiny table at minimalist no-bookings sake bar Amuro

  • Callan Boys

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/sydney-eating-out/20-group-friendly-spots-for-last-minute-christmas-catch-ups-in-sydney-20231219-p5esep.html