Dine Out: The Ultimate CBD Happy Hour

Dine Out has three happy hour trails split between Enmore, Potts Point and the CBD. They’re all good, but the CBD trail packs the biggest punch with eight venues taking part. Several of them are collaborating with other CBD venues to celebrate the width and breadth of the city’s scene.

From black truffle Martinis and MSG Margs to half-priced Japanese whiskey and sorbet-spiked Daiquiris, here are the venues taking part in the Dine Out CBD happy hour.

Bistecca Martini at Bar Bridge

It pays to have good neighbours. For Dine Out, Bar Bridge is collaborating with Bistecca around the corner on a Martini special. The teams are leaning into the richness of the winter months with a black truffle Martini. The drink will be made with a hybrid mix of local gin and vodka, combined with Champagne vermouth. It'll cost $27. The cocktail will be paired with truffle popcorn, which will be served from 4pm. (Even more exciting? One of those popcorn bags will contain a $1000 Mucho voucher.)

July 28 to August 1

Grandfathers MSG Margarita at Centro 86

When Grandfathers opened last year, it was instantly recognised as a certified hottie for its fit-out, crystal dumplings, cute-as-a-button apple pie and fish tanks. But the drink that got tongues wagging was the MSG Martini. Centro 86 has given it a Mexican twist with an MSG Marg, which will have a deep umami hit and hand-shaved ice. It'll cost $25.(Centro 86 is also taking part in Mucho’s golden ticket giveaway.)

All week

Half-price whiskey flights at Prefecture 48

Japanese whiskey rarely goes on sale, but that’s all changing during Dine Out. At Prefecture 48’s Whiskey Thief, flights of Japanese whiskey will be 50 per cent off between 5pm and 7pm. It’s the first time the flights have been offered at half price. The existing happy hour line-up has also been expanded to include $11 Japanese highballs, while all other happy hour cocktails will be reduced to $12.

July 28 to August 2

Tokyo Lamington yuzu Margarita at Cantina Ok!

Sydney’s yuzu obsession takes on a new form with a two-way collaboration between Cantina Ok and Tokyo Lamington. During Dine Out, the tiny cocktail bar will be serving a Marg topped with torched yuzu meringue, a flavour profile inspired by Tokyo Lamington’s signature yuzu lamington. Then, swing by Tokyo Lamington to get a spiked take on the cake filled with smoky mezcal jelly. It’s a real have-your-cake-and-drink-it-too situation. The Marg will cost $25.

All week

Westmont Pickles Martini at Bar Herbs

In collaboration with Southern Highlands producer Westmont Pickles, Bar Herbs is bringing the brine to Dine Out. The team will be serving a $12 mouthful Martini made with Westmont’s signature brine and served with a skewered pickle as garnish. During Dine Out, Bar Herbs’ popcorn will also get an extra zing courtesy of dill pickle seasoning.

July 28 to August 2

Vintage Mai at Old Love’s

You can’t put a price on a good time, and the Old Love’s team knows that. During Dine Out, the CBD bar will discount its Vintage Mai Tai from $2999 to $1999. It’s made with 25-year-old Wray & Nephew rum, one of the only known bottles in the southern hemisphere. Meanwhile, the original Mai Tai was made with a 17-year-old Wray & Nephew in the 1940s. That means this is as close as you can get to the original without a time machine. The drinks comes with a certificate of authenticity and a hand-blown Japanese glass to take home.  

All week

Bar Bruno daiquiri at Razz Room

We all love a Sgroppino. For Dine Out, Razz Room and Bar Bruno team will join forces to put their own twist on the drink. For the entire week, Razz Room will serve a Daiquiri with a scoop of Bar Bruno’s seasonal sorbetti. The limited-edition special will set you back $25.  

All week

Spanish Snacks and Cocktails at Letra House

During Dine Out, Love Tilly group’s Spanish spot will add two new snacks and a cocktail to the happy hour menu. Get a Schengen Sour (brandy, blackberry, baking spices, egg whites, citrus) for $16. Plus, tarama toast with mussel escabeche and bottarga for $18, and potato skin gratin topped with tartare de fuet (a chopped Catalan cured pork sausage) for $12. Available from 4pm to 6pm.

July 27 to August 1