The Lobo — Restaurant in Sydney

Disappointing customer service and unfriendly staff.

My first experience at lobo was very memorable and the staff were friendly and attentive. However my second visit was a huge let down.

Three weeks ago I attended lobo on a quiet Sunday night with two of my friends. There was just a handful of customers and plenty of staff. We waited patiently and noticed that staff were providing table service at the time but hadn’t yet attended us. Other new customers who arrived after us were being greeted, handed menus and given table water. While me and my friends were ignored.

After waiting patiently with no success, I went up and asked a staff member if he would kindly bring over some menus and table water for us. The staff member told me the water was self serve and to get a menu at the bar and order my drinks there.

This was a bit of a slap in the face, especially since he wasn’t busy and had been more focused on lighting some candles. Regardless of this I arranged the table water myself and order my friends some cocktails.

Because the cocktails were very full, I had to bring them to our table one at a time. This meant leaving the other drinks unattended at the bar. This is something I am very uncomfortable doing as a young female.

The staff didn’t offer to help me with the drinks at all which was expected by then. Regardless had the staff even offered me a tray to carry them over myself I would have felt much better about my subpar experience.

Thankfully the bar tender was friendly and gave me some good drink recommendations.

Overall, Lobo has some wonderful cocktails, but I’d rather spend my money where the staff are friendlier and proactive. No one wants to play waiter for...

What a find! We can't recommend this place enough. From the booking process through to the last good-bye, the service was seamless. The cocktails on offer were varied - from the classics to the creative, we were spoilt for choice. We were also really happy with the choices of rums since both my partner and I are enthusiastic distilled beverage explorers. It was a special occasion and we were treated to complimentary glasses of sparkling wine on arrival. These were served in old school champagne coups, which was so appropriate to the speakeasy vibe of the bar's décor. We ate some delicious Cuban-esque bar snacks and had a primo spot to survey our fellow bar-goers who seemed a mixed bag of post-work drinkers and maybe the odd out-of-towner. The noise level was such that it was easy to talk to my partner - it was so noticeable that sound baffling techniques had been employed to keep noise at a comfortable level, that it rates a big tick and honourable mention. We had a show to catch, otherwise we would've been perfectly happy to settle in for an evening of rum-infused conversation and more tasty bar food. As the organiser of the evening, I was thrilled with The...

The Lobo – Sydney A hidden gem in the heart of Sydney and one of the most memorable bar experiences I’ve had in the city. The Lobo is tucked away down a staircase, and as soon as you step inside, you're transported somewhere totally different—think moody Caribbean lounge with dark timber, lush plants, and flickering candles.

The cocktail menu is packed with creative rum-based drinks, but there’s something for everyone. The bartenders are friendly, passionate, and more than happy to help you find something you'll love. I had a couple of cocktails I’d never tried before, and they were perfectly balanced and beautifully presented.

The vibe is fun, energetic, and intimate—perfect for a date night or a small group catch-up. It does get loud when it’s busy, but the overall experience is worth it. Great music, great service, and a very cool, underground atmosphere. Highly recommend if you’re into craft cocktails and...