Old Mate's Place — Restaurant in Sydney

Old Mate’s Place is hands down one of the best bars in Sydney. From the moment we arrived, it was clear why this place is so popular. The rooftop is absolutely amazing, offering a fantastic city view and a great open-air vibe. A little tip—get there early if you want a seat because it fills up quickly!

Inside, the main bar has a warm, moody ambience with just the right lighting and a relaxed yet sophisticated feel. The music was spot on—not too loud, not too soft—just perfect for setting the mood. I even had Shazam running because the playlist was that good!

The drinks were next-level. We tried a mix of cocktails, beer, and wine, and everything was top-tier. The cocktails were well-crafted with balanced flavors, the beer selection was solid, and the wine was top quality. You can tell they put thought into their menu.

The guys behind the bar were legends—super skilled, efficient, and genuinely looked like they were having a good time rather than just working. That kind of energy makes a huge difference to the overall experience.

All in all, Old Mate’s Place is a must-visit if you’re in the Sydney CBD. Whether you’re after a rooftop escape or a cozy bar with great drinks, this place delivers on all fronts. Can’t...

We’ve been wanting to come here for ages to try the Philadelphia cheese steaks and unfortunately we were really disappointed.

Let me first say, the vibe of Old Mates Place is incredible. It’s moody, the lighting is fantastic. There’s a rooftop that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of some exotic city somewhere else. You feel like you’re in an exclusive speakeasy that Ernest Hemingway may have frequented in his younger days but that’s where the positives stop.

For some reason they pump 90’s rap music which really deters from the chill, speakeasy vibe. It’s loud and obnoxious- unlike the rest of the place which is pretty perfect. Jazz would be so much better to drive home the vibe.

But coming back to the cheesesteaks…. They’re a disaster. The rolls are not authentic hoagie rolls - they’re hotdog rolls with a hint of brioche.

Hoagie rolls are crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. The meat is definitely not minute steak like it should be - it’s hamburger meat and there was not enough of that.

Philadelphia cheesesteaks are PACKED with meat and dripping with cheese and copious amount of greasy, heart stopping oil. This was…. Disappointing. The only saving grace was the cooked onion but...

Amazing bar with a sus location but it transports you to one of the most hidden gems in Sydney!

Drinks: 5 / 5 stars Service: 5 / 5 stars Vibe: 4.5 / 5 stars

Cocktails ACTUALLY TASTE NICE! My favourite is It Takes Two To Mango. The Pina Colada is something special and a great shout for special guests haha. The Pandan cocktail was also also.

Service was very open and nonjudgemental. Attentive to requests as well and up for a good conversation anytime.

Since it's a rooftop bar, it is a hidden gem at its finest! Although, I highly recommend not going on peak times since you won't be able to find a seat or any good spots. I've been here twice at non peak times and still got seats that were not exactly comfortable. I will come back to finally chill at the group seats! LOL. A little goal of mine for this place.

How To Get There: Walk at Clarence St and find a sign that says "Video Game Bar". It's on the side where The Lobo is at. Walk up the little stars and go to the last level in the elevators. And the door should be on your left. I know, very very sus. I wouldn't recommend it as a first date unless you wanna flex how much you know...