From $12 cocktails at Gildas to $15 chorizo hot dogs at Rockpool. happy hour is making going out (early) in Sydney less expensive,
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Forget TGIF, it’s midweek happy hours that are luring office workers into inner-city bars and restaurants this winter.
Data released by restaurant technology company OpenTable reveals a 15 to 20 per cent month-on-month spike in the popularity of happy hours on Wednesday and Thursday in May.
Mid-week happy hours have been growing in popularity since February, when OpenTable data showed a 70 per cent year-on-year increase on Wednesdays.
The trend has led to an increasing number of “high-end happy hours” at hatted venues such as The Charles, Rockpool Bar & Grill and Gildas.
“It gives people a reason to come in and check out the venue without the big price tag,” Carr says.
“When you have [The Charles Grand Brasserie, beside The Charles Bar], people can assume you’re just a celebratory venue. But the bar can be quite a casual space, and we wanted to highlight that with a more approachable offering.”
Acclaimed chef Lennox Hastie, who opened Surry Hills wine bar Gildas in partnership with hospitality group Fink in 2022, says the newly introduced “golden hour” from 5.30-6.30pm each Wednesday and Thursday has encouraged an influx of new customers. Many, he says, drop in on their commute home due to Gildas’ proximity to central station.
“It’s a beautiful space, which creates the perception it might be expensive, but once they come inside they realise it’s the same price, if not cheaper [than surrounding venues],” he says.
“Golden hour is breaking down those barriers.”
Hastie says the hour-long promotion is leading to long queues and increased drink sales, allowing budget-conscious diners to order more than one of the $12 house cocktails. And more often than not, they’re pairing their drinks with a $5 gilda or a $12 plate of paleta iberico (Spanish cured ham) with housemade potato crisps.
Accompanying food specials have proven a popular inclusion at restaurants like Bastardo on Phillip Street, where the “aperitivo hour” offers snacks like marinated olives, pizza fritta and zucchini flowers between $5 and $26.
“People are pounding those zucchini flowers,” says Ben Milgate, co-founder of Bastardo’s parent company The Porteno Group.
The happy hour influx coincides with signs of the so-called Great Return, as big banks implement return-to-work mandates and commuter numbers rise to 70 per cent of pre-COVID levels at inner-city train stations.
“Thursday is the new Friday,” says Zoe Brunton, head sommelier at Lil Sis in Chippendale.
The small wine bar introduced its Wednesday-Sunday happy hour promotion in March, in hopes of recreating “that pre-pandemic culture of socialising with colleagues, without stressing people out financially” during the cost of living crisis.
“The economy was a huge consideration,” Brunton says, referring to the selection of $10 cocktails and $7 beers.
“Everyone is feeling the pinch.”
At The Charles Bar on King Street, director of bars Jonothan Carr has noticed significantly more people taking advantage of their happy hour between 3 and 6pm on Thursdays.
“I think the numbers we’re seeing in the venue is pretty aligned to what we’ve seen in terms of trends in people coming back to work,” Carr says.
“Thursday is certainly the day when everyone comes into the office, and [given that] many work from home on Friday, it’s also the day when people start their weekend early.”
Milgate attributes the rush on 4pm snacks to a change in working hours since corporate staff have returned to the CBD.
“One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is people coming into the city later in the morning, then staying later at night. [That means] they’re not having that conventional midday lunch,” he says.
“[Instead], we get one or two diners coming in [for aperitivo hour] and grabbing a quick bite in between meetings.”
Lil Sis, Chippendale
For a selection of $10 cocktails, $7 beers and a $25 charcuterie board featuring LP’s meats and Josie’s rainbow olives. Order the popular reverse martini, which flips the ratio of vermouth to gin.
Wed-Sun 4-6pm
abercrombie.sydney/lil-sis
Gildas, Surry Hills
For $12 house cocktails, $12 wines, $12 off-menu specials and $5 gildas. The wine bar encourages walk-ins but be prepared for a queue.
Wed-Thu 5.30-6.30pm
gildas.com.au
Bastardo, CBD
For an aperitivo hour featuring a discounted selection of snacks, like $12 anchovy pizza frittas and $12 zucchini flowers. Pair them with a house made limoncello spritz ($19).
Mon-Fri 3-5pm
porteno.com.au/bastardo-cbd
The Charles Bar, CBD
For a selection of characteristically classy cocktails (think sidecars and southsides) from $12 and Moet & Chandon champagne for $15 by the glass. Don’t miss the mini prawn cocktail, for just $10.
Mon-Fri 3-6pm
thecharles.sydney
Rockpool Bar & Grill, CBD
For “RP Hour” at the bar, where you’ll find $15 snacks (with options like fish po’boys and chorizo dogs), $12 martinis and $7 beers. There’s also a daily sommelier’s selection of wine, for $15 a glass.
Mon-Fri 4-6pm
rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au
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