Sydney’s Best Small Wine Bars

Natural wine, tiny rooms, hidden laneways and moody lighting — if you’re looking for the best small wine bars in Sydney, start with these. From European-leaning cellars to neighbourhood favourites in the Inner West, these spots pair interesting wines with easy, considered food. No wine snobs, no tablecloths, just great energy and really good pours.

Location: Newtown & Paddington
Style: Natural wine shop, upstairs bar, casual tastings
A go-to for natural wine lovers, P&V combines a smart retail selection with a relaxed upstairs bar in Paddington. The focus is on low-intervention, small-batch bottles from Australia and beyond, with plenty of personality in every pour. Tastings, events, and pop-ups keep things interesting.
Why go: Rotating selection, helpful staff, and natural wines you won’t find in big shops.
Best for: Picking up a bottle, impromptu drinks, or casual meetups.
Website: P&V

Location: Darlinghurst
Style: Italian wine bar, upstairs dining room
A two-level Italian vineria pouring interesting wines by the glass downstairs and offering a full dinner menu upstairs at Paski Sopra. It’s vibrant, a little chaotic, and very fun—with a focus on Italian varietals and plenty of orange wine.
Why go: Italian snacks, natural wine, and a buzzy Euro vibe.
Best for: After-work drinks, wine-led dinners, or weekend hangs.
Website: Paski

Location: Potts Point
Style: European-inspired wine bar, small plates
Tucked at the end of Llankelly Place, this moody, candlelit bar offers a rotating blackboard wine list and refined but simple seasonal dishes. It’s the sibling to Love, Tilly Devine, with a slightly more polished energy.
Why go: Intimate setting, thoughtful pours, and a knowledgeable team.
Best for: Solo sips, quiet catch-ups, or dates that last a few glasses.
Website: Dear Saint Eloise

Location: Darlinghurst
Style: Laneway wine bar, Australian-focused list
A Sydney institution tucked into a tiny laneway. Love, Tilly Devine has a huge list of local wines, mostly natural or minimal-intervention, and a seasonal menu of elevated snacks and small plates.
Why go: Classic Sydney wine bar with heart and history.
Best for: First-timers, wine lovers, and laneway evenings.
Website: LTD

Location: Surry Hills
Style: French wine bar, neighbourhood feel
A welcoming, understated bar serving Euro bistro classics and French-leaning wines. Expect anchovies, pâté, house bread, and a playlist that makes you want to stay longer than planned.
Why go: Comfort food, French wine, and low-key charm.
Best for: Dinner with friends, long catch-ups, or solo snacks with wine.
Website: Bar Copians

Location: Enmore
Style: Women-led wine bar, minimal intervention
A cosy, community-minded wine bar run by a passionate team of women. The wines are mostly natural, the food is considered and ever-changing, and the space is small—so get in early or plan to wait.
Why go: Intimate atmosphere, rotating pours, and a strong sense of place.
Best for: Inner West evenings, casual dates, or post-dinner drinks.
Website: Famelia

Location: Redfern
Style: Courtyard bar, eclectic and rustic
A Redfern institution with staying power, Arcadia is tucked behind a nondescript facade and filled with mismatched furniture, fairy lights, and easy charm. Its courtyard has seen countless first dates, long catch-ups, and end-of-day wind-downs. The wine list is short, natural-leaning, and well-priced.
Why go: No-fuss, no-bookings, and always a good vibe.
Best for: Group hangs, low-key drinks, and relaxed weekend nights.
Website: Arcadia Liquors

Location: Newtown
Style: Euro bistro, wine bar, deli counter
Part tinned cocktail bar, part deli, part European bistro—Continental Deli does it all with effortless cool. Grab a canned martini and a bar snack at the front, or head to the back bistro for a longer meal and bottle.
Why go: Anchovies, pasta, wine, and one of Sydney’s best bar playlists.
Best for: Aperitivo hour, dinners that roll into dessert, or fun Friday nights.
Website: Continental Deli

From neighbourhood favourites in Redfern and Enmore to Euro-style bars in Potts Point and Paddington, Sydney does small wine bars exceptionally well. The best ones aren’t trying too hard — just good people pouring good wine in spaces that feel welcoming. Whether you’re chasing natural drops, seasonal snacks, a low-key date night, or just somewhere easy to settle in for the night, these are the places that get it right.

Not a big drinker? Check out our Sydney food guide here for laid-back restaurants, bakeries, and neighbourhood favourites worth planning a day around.