Ahh The Baxter Inn....one of the original small & underground bars that first burst onto the Sydney bar scene (or lack thereof prior to the small bar licensing) when the small bar licenses were first issued back in 2007 in NSW. This place has a special place in my heart and I still call on it from time to time, without fail. If you're a lover of whiskey; free salty pretzels to get your thirst going; quirky underground bar scenes; good-looking bartenders with hipsterie-tashes and suspenders (well I'm no hipster), then this is the bar for you. It gets real loud, real quick but hey, its bar - what do you expect?! Try everything! I don't have one fave here, they're all pretty decent. But if you must stick to something, I'm a sucker for the the whiskey (your choice of) and fresh apple juice. read more

My favorite bar in CBD. Unfortunately, everyone else seems to be onto it as well. Venture down the alley any time after sundown and you'll find a queue. I'm from NYC and spoiled (see:impatient); I don't do queues. That being said, I will gladly wait the 15-20 minutes it takes to get in here for my Perfect Manhattan. Doesn't matter what time of day you come--it's always fairly busy--but it doesn't take more than a minute or two to grab a bartender's attention. Not the best choice for a first date because of the noise level, though impressive if they've never been. read more

After a night of cabaret deliciousness served up by the wonderful Camille in the Speigeltent my date suggested we hit up this little dive bar. What I didn't realise is how lost we would get trying to find it, you see it's a little door in the back alley of another alley that you have to walk up to find. And when one is tottering on heels with wine in them, the adventure becomes even more adventurous! We made it down the stairs leading into a dark room. I walked in and stopped in my tracks. It was like a hidden bar that you find in Melbourne. It made me want to cry and laugh at the same time!! Finally, we have our own little place that away from things and you can only find if you're falling down drunk in your heels. The joy this brought me is endless! There are seats around the bar, the bar staff are very very very knowledgeable and when I wanted a scotch-tail from the menu but advised that I couldn't have milk in the drink, the lovely lass behind the bar made me up a concoction of her very own that was... it was out of this world. If you do go here please please please don't order off the menu. Chat to your bar staff, even if it's heaps busy. Ask them what they recommend and what kinds of flavours you like. They will mix up a drink for you based on your tastes. And if you don't like it you can take it back and they'll replace it! As dive bars go, this place is jumping. Lots of people, even on a school night and I can see why. There are scotch bottles up to the ceiling and ladders that the staff climb to get to obscure bottles. It's a joy to behold and well worth a visit if you are feeling like getting lost in order to find this place. The great big blister on my heel tells me it really is worth it! read more

I feel like I've finally joined the "cool kids club" by going to the Baxter-- every time I've tried to go the line has been out of control, but as it turns out 6:30 on a Tuesday night is the prime time to waltz right on in. Unmarked, at the back of an alley, and down a flight of dingy stairs-- for a second I wondered if this whole "Baxter Inn" experience that everyone raved about was just the biggest prank ever, but when you open the door you'll find yourself in one of Sydney's coolest spots. Think newsboy caps on all of the bartenders, tons of nostalgia decorating the walls, and likely the best selection of Whiskey in Australia (if not the world??). I don't know a ton about scotch, but enjoyed a couple of different selections. All of the bartenders are well-versed in their brown liquids, so if you don't know what you're doing chat to them a bit to figure out a couple of great options. Great vibe (although a bit hot) and an excellent place to tuck away for a bit with friends. Get there EARLY if you don't want to wait in a massive queue! read more

Every time I go to Baxter's I wake up the next day with no clue where I am laying next to a beluga. that's why I go =}

The reviews say it all. Exceptionally hard to find, but worth the challenge. The dodgy stairway among the beer kegs had me hesitating, as there is no signage at all, not a one. After 5 tables are a premium. More than 300 whiskey varieties, unbelievable! Looking forward to sampling a few more. The bar staff are fun, with a regular chin-up from one of the beams to the top shelf of whiskeys. Food is a ploughman's platter only, but endless free pretzels keep the wolves from the door. Definitely be returning, specially since it is just around the corner from the office. read more

It is a hipster bar, the hipsters can't afford to drink in. In my book that is a perfect combination. All the fun, atmosphere without the dirty hipsters crowding up the place. Think speak easy, free pretzels, candle lit. While I didn't tackle the epic whiskey list, I did enjoy a scotch ale - a beer aged in an scotch barrel. Highly recommended, as a bit of a beer nut, I really appreciate when a bar offers up something I haven't tried before. read more

Expensive but the amazing atmosphere and great drinks are definitely worth it! This place is regularly listed on 'best cocktail bar lists' worldwide and I've been a big fan since it opened several years ago. I decided to visit with a group.of friends when we were in Sydney again recently and we were not disappointed. As usual we asked for the hostesses recommendation and the guys loved their selections of whisky. The atmosphere was great (dimly lit, jazzy music, very 1920s prohibition feel). They kept out pretzel bowl full which is handy when drinking whisky! I will continue to visit this place and take tourist friends as a great example of the unique indy Sydney bar scene. read more

Fabulous find! We were so lucky that our apartment was close to so many great bars, but this one was our favorite on Clarence St. Located behind an unmarked door down an alley off Clarence you will find the Baxter Inn. It is dark and mysterious and cool. If you've ever been to Seven Grand in LA, its reminiscent of it but WAY cooler. The bartenders here are very nice and super enthusiastic about making you a great whiskey cocktail but they also have other spirits here. My Old Fashioned was great and quite pretty. We were able to find two barstools and a countertop on a Friday night, but we were very lucky because this place is CROWDED! Lots of random Boxing paraphernalia and American music (rock and funk). Good vibe here and great drinks! Totally recommend! read more

Yayyy! Finally, this was an absolutely amazing discovery. I love hidden places, but this was was amazing because it was by accident. This little hole in the wall, turned out to be a wall full of whiskey which is my favourite. It was really great as the bartenders knew a LOT about whiskey and I didnt have to wait long for one (or five) of my orders :) I heard it gets too busy when the workers go on Fri, but I went on a Tues and it was perfect. read more

Great whiskey selection with a nice vibe. It's a bit hard to find and you have to walk through a dark alley and go downstairs. Once there the bar opens up to a dark cavernous space with a few chairs. It's getting pretty crowded these days so be warned. read more

Speakeasy style bar with an unbelievable whiskey selection - this place is popular and can regularly get to the stage of one in one out. It is a great spot to take friends visiting Sydney and watch them be amazed by the bottles of whisky and the ladder sometimes needed by the bar tenders. When the place is packed getting to the bar, finding somewhere to stand and getting severed can be a little frustrating but all in all its a great place. And you will get plenty of free pretzels while you wait! read more

The Baxter Inn - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

Baxter Inn set the gold standard for small Sydney bars and over the years is still hard to beat. It's a Sydney icon and if you're visiting or new to town you have to go. The whiskey selection is the stuff of legends. The bartenders are some of the best I've ever encountered and the ambiance hearkens back to prohibition era America which in my opinion is the perfect drinking atmosphere. But being one of the best bars in the city for years on end has taken its toll. Good luck trying to get in on a weekend and even if you get in getting a drink is a nightmare. With all the new derivatives out there, it's not worth being shoulder to shoulder with the finance crowd showing off their money. Hence, 4 stars. read more

Holy sweet baby Jesus I've died and gone to heaven. This place has the most amazing whiskey selection I've very seen. To much to choose from its hard to decide. Fast service, great atmosphere. It is VERY loud and quite dark which some folks might be opposed to. If you wanna sit and quietly chit chat over a whiskey this may not be your place. read more

Best bar in Sydney. Great cocktails and the staff was so nice. Don't miss it if you go to sydney!

The wall is basically a library shelf (complete with library ladders) full of an assortment of weird and wonderful whiskeys. Indeed, the assortment is nothing short if excellent. The atmosphere is what you want in such a bar, dark and prohibition america feeling. I wouldn't take a date here because of the noise level though. The bar staff will not accept you ordering a coke either. For that one mate who doesn't drink alcohol they will attempt to get them to experience the feel of the place by talking them into a fresh squeezed apple juice - because, as far as I can tell, ordering a whiskey and coke is punishable by death in this place so coke should not be acknowledged as existing. Expect a line on friday night otherwise brilliant. read more

The 2nd best bar in the world (the other one in in Nepal) This is the classic speakeasy A little bit of a wait to get in Friday and Saturday nights- but worth it I cannot say what a great bar this is any night read more

As a once only visit venue this is a must see, down an alley, around a corner and behind a door is a dodgy staircase to an amazing underground bar! Staff know their stuff, strut the bar and climb the stairs for your unique whisky or gin. Great tunes, ambience and a line after 9 to get in! Thankfully my mate was celebrating a promotion as $76 for two whiskies on ice out of my league! read more

Love it! Damn hard to find (down an alley, into a fire escape, down a few flights of stairs) but in a good way. Rewarding when you realize where it actually is. Great selection of scotch, saw an OK selection of other drinks too. Scotch is sorted on the price list behind the bar in order of region, I would guess around ~200 individual scotches. Amazing atmosphere as well. read more

The Baxter Inn - View of bar - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

The Baxter Inn is a remarkable bar. Great selection of bourbon and scotch. Their trophy case has a bunch of rare Scotches. We dabbled into a couple of them. The bar is hidden in an alley and underground. A must go for any whiskey enthusiast. read more

A great array of whiskeys in fun setting. Greasy cocktails too

The wall behind the bar at Baxter Inn is a work of art. I don't know if I've ever seen so many whiskeys! Their whiskey menu is pages and pages long, and they've got an extensive menu beyond whiskey as well. It is hidden in a back alley in the CBD, making it tough to find the first time. You have to queue in an industrial-type area which doesn't scream "fancy cocktail bar inside", and in my experience the queue takes about ten minutes. It is fairly loud inside, making it tough to have group conversations, but it is not so loud that you have trouble talking to the person beside you. The drinks, as expected, are great. I got a could neat Scotches (Ardbeg is my favourite - I love them smokey). They had more options than I needed to choose from. I've also gotten a Rye Whiskey Sour, which was made perfectly. Highly recommend! read more

World class top shelf !! Free pretzels. Amazing scotch range and rare whiskeys. Service is incredible , hidden away in the city i had heard so much about it having just moved from Melbourne and I was more than impressed I was actually astounded. read more

I should preface my comments by saying I went there on a Friday afternoon around 4:30pm so possibly close to their peak hours. The stock of single malt whiskey on display is incredible, and the place is set up (successfully) to look like an early 20th century speakeasy. Had a great triple wood Lagavulin, but ordering is difficult due to the set-up of the bar. The bar runs the length of the very narrow establishment (which is located down some stairs in a basement that Fritzl would be proud of) but with seats at the bar fully occupied, you have to stand right next to a seated patron and order by shouting to the hipster barmen over the seated patrons' heads. There are a few scattered tables away from the bar itself which were all fully occupied, so my group and I were forced to sit in a dank corner next to a group of rowdy 50-somethings who had obviously watched too many re-runs of Sex and the City and tried their best to out-raucous one another. I gulped my drink and beat a hasty retreat. I would recommend showing up at Baxter on a weekday evening when the place is almost empty, because even 30 patrons make the place claustrophobic. read more

One of my favorite speakeasy experiences. Great vibe and location and most importantly one of the best cocktails I've ever had. That cold brewed Irish coffee changed my perspective on coffee drinks. read more

Its worth the wait. If you rock up here and there is a line forming out the front, remember these words...its worth the wait. The bar staff are the most knowledgeable I have come across and if you like your whiskey, this is a breath of fresh air. The heat in here is real, not a fake attempt at atmosphere but a warm fuzzy hug from a massive dog before he starts to lick your face. We got comfortable at the bar and settled in for some real whiskey, tasty cocktails and free pretzels. A lot of love goes into your drinks here and although you may pay for it, its worth it. Cudos read more

This is a hidden gem, tucked away down an alley that is easy to miss. However you won't miss it as the queue wraps down the alley and around onto the main street. It is worth the wait, but I recommend popping in early to avoid the line & the crowds. Downstairs you will find the bar in a dark and smokey basement, with the most incredible wooden bar, lined with beautiful whisky. Men sporting different style beards & mustaches climb up the ladder to select the perfect whisky for your drink of choice. I am not a big fan of whisky but I love the vibe of this bar, very hip and sexy, transporting you to a different era. Although this is a whisky bar, you can also order a range of rums, tequilas and wines and munch on the free pretzels. I highly recommend visiting this hole in the wall. read more

I am no expert on whisky, but the multiple times I have come here have always been a pleasure. Baxter's has a great vibe, comfortable seats, and in general a wonderful atmosphere. Although it is frustrating when it gets crowded (as with all places) it is definitely worth the visit and a beverage or two at least. read more

Uber cool place. Probably the coolest speakeasy in the city, if not the country! They have scotch oozing out of every crevice, big arm chairs, fire (candles) and it seems like Dean Martin, Barney Stinson and perhaps Keith Moon all died in the same alcohol fuelled incident and ended up being scattered all over this hidden bar. My only gripe is the wait to purchase one of their delightful whiskeys. It can be extensive, even on a Tuesday. I don't mind paying the high prices in a place like this, but I guess that's the price of popularity? Please check it out regardless, your liver won't thank you. read more

Was speaking at a design conference in Sydney and before I went I checked yelp for any interesting bars in the area - I found The Baxter Inn and bookmarked it. I'm glad I did, because it is REALLY cool. You have to look for it tho - there is no signage, and it is truly a "basement" bar". The night I went (Saturday) it was PACKED, and the bar staff were slammed. They were very professional and quickly poured me a dram of a good 15 year old Scotch. And they have SO MANY bottles they have two library stairs they have setup to climb to get to some of them. If you are a fan of the ambrosia that is Scotch and Whiskey, this is a must do. read more

Whiskey Whut Whut! *A man's den (Old School looking decor on a basement) *Free Pretzels (to keep you thirsting for more) read more

I don't think you can beat the ambience and atmosphere of this place. I loved the old school decor and music. The drinks are on the pricier side but worth it for the overall experience in my opinion. read more

My favourite bar in Sydney due to the sheer selection of whisky they have. It's a small 1920's speakeasy vibe with great music accessed by a dodgy back alley via York St. They do have regular drinks but you don't come here for that!. Great service from bartenders who know their products and market very well. Be prepared to pay a fair amount for a night out here as its a little pricey but something can be found for all budgets. read more

The Baxter Inn - If you like the really good stuff! This is the place! - Bars Near Me - Sydney, NSW

Such a cool place! Love the entrance and the set-up inside. Came here yesterday. The guy at the door was really cool and polite. Asked the bartender to make me whatever they felt like... Got a really good cocktail... I think it was a whisky sour variation. The other people drinking in here were really nice too. Enjoyed my time here a lot. read more

Not just another 'Pre-prohibition' bar. Truly unique world-class drinks. The bartenders mean business and know their stuff! Great service. read more

Rating 5/5 Worldwide* Extraordinary whiskey bar that I discovered by accident. Specifically, on my way back from Amsterdam I sat down next to Cosmo, one of the Baxter Inn bar tenders at the SFO airport bar and we got talking. He said if I was ever in Sydney I should come by Baxter's. Well, as luck would have it, I was headed to Sydney a few weeks later and thought what the heck. Visiting Sydney on business I was with a contingent of Australians, none of which had ever heard of Baxter's. I dragged one of them to Baxter's and Cosmo recognized me right away! By the end of the week all of my Australian colleagues been there and enjoyed the incredible atmosphere and the ludicrous range of scotch and other whiskeys. I highly recommend this bar. Don't be put off by the dark alley you have to walk down to get there or the lack of any signage. It contributes to the "speak easy" character! Don't be intimidated by the crazy choice. These guys are no snobs and will happily help you discover what to order. They really know their stuff. (*Note - I attempt to make all my ratings more relevant by rating them within a defined region, be it World, Country, State/Geographical Region or City) read more

This place is hidden away in an alley but it fantastic. The staff are great and if you are a lover of scotch this is your place!!

This mark that all other Sydney Bars need to hit from now on is defined here. I love a place that goes for a theme and instead if just decorating and leaving it at that goes the whole way and creates an experience. These guys have pulled it off. On top of that its not pretentious, I've never felt its too cliquey or only trying to cater to hipsters like some other places. As a scotch fan, the drinks menu particularly impresses me too, they have hundreds of scotches and other whiskers to pick from, plus beer and other drinks, the free pretzels that are constantly topped up are also great too. read more

If you enjoy Scotch then this is your place! What a wonderful evening we had with the helpful curators/bartenders who lovingly share their passion for scotch. Incredible choices and if you're really an aficionado then ask for the high end scotches in the special room. A little tricky to find. It's more like a speakeasy. Go through the alley at 152 and make a right and go down those steps. Thank you to all of the gang that made our evening so special. read more

Fabulous service - fun bartenders! We attended a private event an thoroughly impressed. Fabulous drinks and vibe.