THE ROCKS. The Argyle Hotel is a huge, five-bar music venue with chic new decor in Sydney's oldest inner-city area. The open warehouse setting is great by day or night, with surprisingly reasonable food and drink prices. Choose the candle-lit courtyard, with its indoor/outdoor feel; the Lounge, with its daybeds and booths; The Perch or the spectacular Lava Bar, depending on your mood. Popular venue with corporate types during the week and tourists anytime due to the central, historic location. TRAIN to Circular Quay and walk through to the Rocks.

KINGS CROSS. When you enter the Bayswater Brasserie and behold the extensive collection of every worthy alcoholic libation behind the long, zinc-topped bar, there's no doubt that this place is serious about drinking well. Voted the fourth best bar in the world by Bartender Magazine in 2007, Bayswater Brasserie is a fine cocktail bar, oyster bar and restaurant. As well as serving perfect cocktails, the Bayswater has an extensive wine list offering the best of the Australian vine and international classics. It also has a conservatory, a candle-lit courtyard and a private dining room. DJs play on Friday and Saturday nights. TRAIN to Kings Cross station.

THE ROCKS. Sydney is all about harbour views and the scene from the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel is nothing less than spectacular, featuring the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour. It's a classy, sophisticated cocktail lounge and a favorite hang-out of local professionals, special-occasion groups, and hotel guests. Drinks are terrific, and whether you come for the people or the scenery, the experience is great. In the afternoons, the bar has a tourist-y feel, but on weekend evenings, the lively vibe is right for mingling. A short walk from Circular Quay.

SURRY HILLS. Funky bright, retro hodge-podge décor, set against a wall painted with a Havana sunset and palm trees. It's a great indoor/outdoor place for chilling out the morning after too much party. The lounge serves great coffee, cocktails and a good food selection including delicious breakfast/brunch dishes. Thin crusty pizzas are their specialty, and there is a great selection of shareable snacks such as dips and olives. Expect a young, arty, edgy Surry Hills crowd enjoying the great vibe, DJ's, plants, courtyard and chilled music. WALK (5 minutes) from Museum Station.

KINGS CROSS. A super-trendy music venue hangout housed underground in the dark recesses of an alleged 1800s sewer pit. It's dark and red down there, with two bars, antique-style furniture and a VIP room with a black and white chequered floor featured in photo-shoots for the likes of Pink, and Australian band Powderfinger. The Aussie band Wolfmother had a couple of their very first gigs at Candy's in early 2004. Some staff believe that the ghost of Juanita Neilson, an heiress who was murdered in the area and whose body was never found, haunts the club... TRAIN to Kings Cross station.