Employees Only

bar

A heritage-listed basement bar beneath Barrack Street, bringing New York's legendary cocktail institution and its theatrical tableside steak tartare to Sydney's CBD.

4.5

(2,181 reviews)$$Google

Happy Hour Deals

Happy Hour

50% food and drinks

Tuesday – Friday

5:00pm – 7:00pm

Happy Hour

50% food and drinks

Saturday

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Best For

BarTakes Reservations

9a Barrack Street, Sydney CBD 2000

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

MondayClosed

Tuesday5pm – 10pm

Wednesday5pm – 10pm

Thursday5pm – 12am

FridayToday5pm – 3am

Saturday5pm – 3am

SundayClosed

The Vibe

Hidden entrance: Follow the bright red neon 'Psychic' sign on Barrack Street down into a heritage-listed basement that feels like stepping into the West Village.
Design details: Dark timber and brass highlights dominate the moody interior, with green velvet banquette seating and a curved brass-topped bar as the centrepiece. Skylights around the room's edges provide subtle illumination while vintage brass-embellished lockers let you stash belongings with built-in phone charging.
The crowd: Draws a sophisticated after-work crowd and date-night pairs who appreciate the theatrical service - watching the steak tartare get chopped tableside is half the experience. Gets busier after 8pm but maintains an intimate feel thanks to the basement setting.

What People Love

Signature cocktails: The Amelia stands out - vodka and elderflower liqueur shaken with fresh lemon and blackberry puree. Sydney-exclusive drinks include The Down Payment, a complex mix of pisco, avocado, lime and Italian herbal liqueur that sounds odd but works brilliantly.
Late-night dining: Full dinner menu until 2.30am, with the hand-cut steak tartare finished theatrically at your table earning cult status. The double Angus burger and oysters shucked to order get regular mentions from regulars.
Happy hour value: Half-price drinks from 5pm to 6pm Tuesday to Friday makes the premium cocktails more accessible. The complimentary chicken soup served at 3am closing time is a nice touch from the 15-year-old family recipe.

The Neighbourhood

Prime CBD location: Tucked into a semi-hidden basement on Barrack Street, a short walk from both George Street and Martin Place station. The heritage building sits between the financial district and the retail strip, making it equally convenient for after-work drinks or pre-theatre cocktails.
Neighbourhood fit: While the CBD fills with casual bars and pubs, Employees Only occupies the premium cocktail space with its New York pedigree and late-night kitchen. The basement location keeps it feeling separate from the street-level foot traffic.
Transport links: Martin Place station is under five minutes on foot, connecting to most of Sydney's rail network. The location works for both city workers unwinding and visitors exploring the CBD's bar scene.

Nearby in Sydney CBD

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Contact

The Vibe

Hidden entrance: Follow the bright red neon 'Psychic' sign on Barrack Street down into a heritage-listed basement that feels like stepping into the West Village.

Design details: Dark timber and brass highlights dominate the moody interior, with green velvet banquette seating and a curved brass-topped bar as the centrepiece. Skylights around the room's edges provide subtle illumination while vintage brass-embellished lockers let you stash belongings with built-in phone charging.

The crowd: Draws a sophisticated after-work crowd and date-night pairs who appreciate the theatrical service - watching the steak tartare get chopped tableside is half the experience. Gets busier after 8pm but maintains an intimate feel thanks to the basement setting.

What People Love

Signature cocktails: The Amelia stands out - vodka and elderflower liqueur shaken with fresh lemon and blackberry puree. Sydney-exclusive drinks include The Down Payment, a complex mix of pisco, avocado, lime and Italian herbal liqueur that sounds odd but works brilliantly.

Late-night dining: Full dinner menu until 2.30am, with the hand-cut steak tartare finished theatrically at your table earning cult status. The double Angus burger and oysters shucked to order get regular mentions from regulars.

Happy hour value: Half-price drinks from 5pm to 6pm Tuesday to Friday makes the premium cocktails more accessible. The complimentary chicken soup served at 3am closing time is a nice touch from the 15-year-old family recipe.

The Neighbourhood

Prime CBD location: Tucked into a semi-hidden basement on Barrack Street, a short walk from both George Street and Martin Place station. The heritage building sits between the financial district and the retail strip, making it equally convenient for after-work drinks or pre-theatre cocktails.

Neighbourhood fit: While the CBD fills with casual bars and pubs, Employees Only occupies the premium cocktail space with its New York pedigree and late-night kitchen. The basement location keeps it feeling separate from the street-level foot traffic.

Transport links: Martin Place station is under five minutes on foot, connecting to most of Sydney's rail network. The location works for both city workers unwinding and visitors exploring the CBD's bar scene.