Try as we might, it’s a devastating fact of life that we can’t always be travelling. Sometimes we must stay in our home cities, and sometimes we must even – gulp! – work.
But it’s not all bad. With work comes work drinks, a powerful uniting force that no office should go without. Work drinks turn colleagues into friends, friends into lovers, lovers into… slightly drunker lovers.
Because they play such an important role in workplace (and world) peace, the success of every office get-together is vital. If you’re in Sydney and have been tasked with organising a social shindig, here are five sure-fire crowd pleasers you NEED to know.
For beer, bao, and boogieing – Goodgod Small Club
A self-described “one-stop funhouse for you to spend the night,” Goodgod is an awesome choice for small groups who are keen to get silly. There’s cocktail jugs, food (delicious Taiwanese street snacks from Belly Bao), Flintstone-style booths, and a nice little dance floor to get your groove on. And groove you will, with DJs playing everything from reggae to R&B to garage rock to ’50s pop.
Goodgod, those bao were tasty!
Goodgod’s on Liverpool St, which makes it an easy stroll for CBD workers. Get there early for a table, or call ahead for a booth.
For $1 tacos and $7 mojitos – The Cuban Place
$1 tacos. Need I say more? $1 TACOS. EVERY WEDNESDAY. WHY WOULD YOU GO HOME?
Tacos aside ($1!!), there’s plenty to love about The Cuban Place. Say “Salud!” with $7 mojitos every Tuesday and Thursday (5pm – 7pm), or get your salsa on with live music Wednesday – Saturday. On top of full lunch and dinner menus, you’ll also find cocktails, mocktails, and a range of cigars that you can smoke right there on the balcony. Hey, it wouldn’t be Cuba without them!
Promise I didn’t inhale! Cigars at The Cuban Place
The Cuban Place is on York St, across the road from the QVB. Piece of torta!
For sips with a view – The Glenmore
The afternoons are getting darker and cooler, but with The Glenmore around there’s no reason to give up on rooftop bars. Its Rocks location means unbeatable Harbour and CBD views, which you can enjoy rain, hail, or shine thanks to the fancy new retractable roof.
Oh, hai, Sydney. View from The Glenmore.
While the rooftop is swish and modern, The Glenmore’s interior is more in keeping with the pub’s original Georgian style. The middle floor’s plush private function rooms will make you feel like you’ve stepped into Downtown Abbey, while the ground floor’s Public Bar is a tad more Old Sydney Town. Steak lovers, be sure to come on a Monday – there’s $12 scotch fillets all day!
For pints a-plenty – The Royal George
Backing onto the (in)famous Ivy, The Royal George combines the feel of an old-school gentleman’s club with the happy hour prices of your dad’s favourite pub. At 5pm – 7pm on weekdays they do $5 pints and glasses of wine, which a serious steal for the CBD. Skip out of work early if you want to grab a table.
Charming as usual – me at The Royal George
The Royal George is on George St, right next to the Cupcake Bakery. If you’re strong enough to resist the buttercream-frosted temptation next-door, I recommend the spicy chicken wings with blue cheese dip.
For cheese and wine fiends – GPO Cheese and Wine Room
The GPO Cheese and Wine Room has a reputation for being Sydney’s “Temple of Cheese”, and it seriously deserves it. They do a $25 lunch special that’s not too shabby (amuse bouche + main course + wine or beer) and some rather fancy mac and cheese, but no visit is complete without a cheese and wine flight. Three delicious gourmet cheeses paired with three equally excellent wines (or malt whiskies) – how could you go wrong?
“Adventurous” cheese and wine flight, chocolate fondue. I stand by my life choices.
The Cheese and Wine Room is on the lower ground floor of Martin Place’s historic GPO Building. The private dining room caters for 35 – 55 people – perfect for small functions!