Great Places To Get Together For Special Occasions In Sydney

Whether it’s someone’s birthday, farewells or just a general gathering, get-togethers are always popping up on our calendars. From group meals to just casual drinks, there is always the argument at the end when it comes to paying the bill, but we reckon that’s all part of the fun. What we’re really after is some good food, good service and somewhere that keeps the drinks flowing. Here are some of our favourite places for get-togethers in Sydney.

The White Horse

The White Horse boasts a restaurant, bar and lounge all looked over by their giant silver stallion. Being in luxury surroundings doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay luxury prices – luckily for us they also have great deals on offer. On Mondays and Tuesdays pizzas are half price at both lunch and dinner. Wednesdays and Thursdays you can treat yourself to $10 cocktails, $10 grazing plates and $15 cocktail jugs perfect for sharing from 6pm till 10pm. Friday and Saturday 4pm till 7pm is happy hour(s) which means $4 drinks with resident DJs playing a smooth blend of disco and deep house to help them go down that little bit easier. If that wasn’t enough, if you mention BBM when booking your group get together here, you’ll get a $25 bar tab*. Nice.
Where: 381 – 385 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Phone: (02) 8333 9999
More info: www.thewhitehorse.com.au

The Australian Heritage Hotel

Everybody loves a good pizza, and if you don’t, it’s probably because you’re a bit weird. The Australian Heritage Hotel offer delicious pizza with an array of Australian beers and wines to accompany. Fancy some Pepper Kangaroo pizza or a slice of the Salt Water Crocodile? Well here you can have just that, surrounded by Edwardian style architecture and a constant crowd of friendly faces. Winner of the ‘Best Pub’ Award from Time Out Sydney Magazine, these guys know what they’re doing – this place has been around for almost a hundred years.
Where: 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney 2000
Phone: (02) 9247 2229
More info: www.australianheritagehotel.com

East Village Hotel

If you’re after food that is chic and contemporary, we suggest dining at the East Village Hotel. A lovingly restored heritage hotel, here you can eat downstairs at the Ground Floor Bar or in the Dining Room. The food here is described as ‘Modern Australian’ – think impressive, hearty steaks and roasted Bangalow pork belly. If funds are tight, the Ground Floor Bar has just reintroduced the $15 lunch menu that runs Monday to Thursday. After your meal, why not pop up to the rooftop where you can take in the stunning views of the Sydney skyline whilst enjoying a few cold drinks.
Where: 234 Palmer St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010.
Phone: (02) 9331 5457
More info: www.theeastvillage.com.au

Bungalow 8

Situated at King Street Wharf on Darling Harbour, here you can take in the stunning views whilst celebrating your birthday or permanent residency with your mates. Open till 3am, Thursday to Saturday, you can have dinner and just stay right where you are for those inevitable drinks to follow. For groups of six or more they offer a banquet menu for $40 per person, complete with prawn dumplings, chilli salt squid and banana ice cream brownie for dessert. Yes please. If none of those are what you fancy, there is plenty more to choose from on the main menu.
Where: No 8 The Promenade King Street Wharf, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9299 4660
More info: www. bungalow8sydney.com

Paddo Bowls

Who said bowls was just for the elderly? These guys swear by the motto: ‘Bowls without the Olds!’ with the aim of making the game just that little bit cooler. The best thing about this place is that you can eat while you bowl and there is a wide selection to choose from – breakfast, tapas, canapés, dessert, even a full on BBQ if that’s what you fancy. These however won’t leave you all feeling stuffed, they veer more towards the snack variety. After all, nobody wants to get a stomach-ache after all that sport, do they?
Where: 2 Quarry Street, Paddington NSW, 2021
Phone: (02) 9363 1150 or (02) 9363 0163
More info: www.paddobowls.com.au

ZanziBar

Fancy a dinner with a view? Zanzibar is situated in the heart of the King Street area and boasts a rooftop that treats you to unforgettable views and unforgettable fine dining. Here you can watch the sun set on Sydney, and choose from a selection of reasonably priced steaks, grills, sandwiches, tapas and salads. In addition to the rooftop are the main bar and the newly renovated cocktail lounge bar and bistro.
Where: 323 King Street Newtown 2042
Phone: (02) 9519 1511
More info: www.zanzibarnewtown.com.au

Name This Bar

One of our favourite bars on Oxford Street, Name This Bar is famous for its art battles, colourful walls, and pumping some of the best tunes around. Think old furniture and warm colours teamed with an urban gallery – it sounds crazy but it works. You can get some well-priced beers, wine, ciders and cocktails, as well as some great bar food and nibbles. We’re told the dumplings and the dim sum are top notch. We have two $50 bar tabs available for the first two people that call up and mention BBM when booking a group gathering!
Where: 197 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Phone: (02)9356 2123
More info: www.namethisbar.com.au

The Bondi FM Café

For something completely different and unique, we suggest the Bondi FM Café. Here you can dine and drink, whist Bondi FM radio shows are broadcast right in the middle of the café. DJs sit within a glass booth, while you sit in a deckchair, couch or on a floor cushion, and feed off the relaxed, chilled, beachy vibes that Bondi FM are so well known for. The back garden of this place is shared with Roy’s Tapas, which mixes nicely with the extremely large and extremely strong cocktails you can treat yourselves to.
Where: 143 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach 2026 NSW
Phone: (02) 9130 6886
More info: www.bondifm.com.au

*Free lounge area and terrace table reservations plus a $25 bar tab when any area is booked for groups for 20 or more. Bar tab to be used only on the night of the booking. One bar tab per group. Be sure to mention this offer when booking. No charge for area bookings.

By Hannah Kurzawski