The Baxter Inn

Fantastic Bar with its distinctive set up and Whiskey range. Excellent drinks and most importantly the attention and kindness from the Bar team and Welcoming entrance by the security door guy. It all blends into a unique experience in this cosy venue. Well done guys. Many thanks!!

Lair-like prohibition era vibes with delicious 🍸 concoctions. Generous servings and refills of pretzel 🥨 bites. No pressure from service staff. Cool to visit if you are not too particular about basement whiffs and dark places.

One of the first to arrive so it was very quiet and we could take our pick of areas to sit. The staff were friendly. The cocktails were nice, although we were expecting the drinks to have been made fresh but it seems that many of them are premixed presumably as it gets busier later. But we missed being able to observe the creativity and craft that comes with making a cocktail.

Hidden bar with nice vibe. Go through a dark alley with no instructive sign you will see a guardian standing at a door towards a basement with no name and logo. The inside is quite nice. Try their best sellers like fruit whiskey. I also ordered red wine from local, not disappointed at all. Go late might need to wait abit.

Kinda sketchy getting to Baxter Inn don't let it scare you off (see photos). I didn't have food here I came for the scotch! Literally hundreds of whiskeys with a massive selection of scotch! Great bartenders, dark pleasant atmosphere! Definite recommendation if you're a whiskey drinker!

One of the best bars in Sydney! Highly recommend visiting this if you wanna grab a a very good cocktail and enjoy this one in an underground bar which feels very secretive. One point to improve is the air ventilation, since it can be a bit smelly in some corners of the bar.

This place feels like a secret treasure in the city! The vibe is laid-back but stylish, with dim lighting and great tunes that make it feel like a little escape. The cocktails and whisky choices are top-notch, and the staff are friendly and really know their stuff. I had such a fun night here and can’t wait to go back!

Had a great time at this jazz bar. The music was really good and the place had a nice, relaxed vibe. Big thanks to John for the awesome service. He was super friendly, checked in on us often, and made the night even better. Definitely a cool spot to hang out and enjoy some jazz!

- awesome speak easy - 100s of drink opportnities - I love the old school music - the definition of speakeasy I thought was lost it was pointed out by a random driver in a cab I entered an empty sure with one old man with a long beard standing next to a wall he said no words, and just nodded as he opened the door the stairwell was quite dusty I thought it was a set up the br behind the door at the bottom of the stairs, was the most amazing thing iv ever seen - id give this place ten stars if I could - such an amazing vibe - all the drinks were delicious I told the bartender I like mezcal the bartender asked, do you trust me? best decision I ever made

Really awesome speakeasy with extensive menu of whiskeys. Really hard to find but really cool.

Bartenders are all very knowledgeable and will set you up with something right up your alley. Three different nights proved that to be true with a different group each night. Quite the selection of Whiskey!

This was hands-down one of my favorite whiskey bars/speakeasies in all of Sydney! The staff, ambiance and drink select is superb and one of a kind. This bar is very hidden and had I not wandered down an alley I would have never found it, but I am so glad I did. If you love 'secret' bars that give off a romantic and dark vibe this is for you. Their whiskey selection is out of this world and their bartenders make world class drinks! I had several old fashions and Manhattan while visiting here on separate occasions and most importantly they were all consistently good! Highly recommend checking out this place.

One of my two favorite Sydney bars. To get in, you walk down a short back alley, down a flight of fire stairs and through a nondescript fire door. Inside you find a large, candle lit room with booths, tables and a long bar. The bartenders wear white aprons, towels on their shoulders and take obvious pride in their craft. No "barkeeps" here, they're pros. Huge selection of whiskies and scotches to suit any taste or budget. Come early to avoid the lines. Great crowd.

This is actually a rather charming cocktail bar, located somewhere in one of the many alleyways located throughout Sydney. In fact, as a bar it is one of those places that is rather charming. Yeah, which it is a cocktail bar, they do happen to have beers available, which I do feel is a rather good thing, especially since I am not a particularly big fan of cocktails. Yeah, I found that this place was quite nice, though nothing to make it stand out from many of the other bars I have visited.

Absolutely the coolest & sketchiest entrance I've ever seen on a bar. Once your in, the selection of scotch will blow your mind and the staff is eager to please. Either getting you an old favorite or helping discover a new one. The bar is dark, still half lit by candlelight. It was really busy, standing room only but that was ok as well.

Right to the point on the scale of TZ No need to connect any dots, it has been done.

this Speakeasy is one of my best discovery on this trip. Not just because I love Whiskey but because it is a legitimate contender for the best lounges, bars, clubs in Sydney. The staff there is on top of their game. The Whiskey menu is extensive although a few more Japanese options could be added. The interior is brilliant and throughout you can find all sorts of memorabilia from a time passed. I highly recommend it and I hope to be back soon. For your information, the way in is through the alley, turn right, descend as dodgy flight of stairs...and voila !!

What?! A Sydney bar I forgot to review?! This was another top 50 bar down a random alley some sketchy stairs and you wander into an amazing comfy basement bar. It was crowded on the evening I was there so actually getting served was a bit of an issue. I wasn't in the mood to fight at the bar so my niece did. Wow they had quite the selection of whisky! And on a quieter night (when I wasn't already several drinks in) then I would definitely like to sample. I had an old fashioned on tap and it was fine. Not quite the handcrafted beauty but tasty. The crowd was mostly jovial but also not so courteous in allowing others to get up to the bar to order. Would probably enjoy more earlier in the evening or on a less crowded night.

On my second visit to Sydney I finally made it to Baxter's! Everyone loves this place and I can see why. Got to sit at the bar when Chris was working - he was really nice. There were like 5 Americans in a row at the bar all on accident! Place was quiet at first but then at 9:30pm on the dot started filling up. I already had a few drinks before I arrived, so I didn't go straight for any whiskeys. I stuck with cocktails, and had 3 from the menu. Gator in the Barrel (Fire) - bourbon, coconut, charred strawberry, walnut, lemon, egg whites, and spritz of soda I think. It was creamy, sweet, and light, which is why I started here. Could have had these all night though - it is so pleasant! The charred strawberry (dusted on top) gave such a nice, layered flavor to the drink. And it's served in a cute little barrel. Port of Call (Salt) - whiskey, port, brined caramel, lemon, orgeat, bitters. Honestly all I remember about this was that it was super boozy. Netflix and Swill (Grain) - popcorn, baxter bundy, PX sherry, cornflower tea, vetiver oil. Oh my god. There is no actual popcorn in this but it tastes like there is!!! Really boozy but balanced and even. After my 3 drinks I headed out to see the new Employees Only. Will definitely be back next time I'm in town. I recommend going earlier in the day so you can spend time talking to and learning from the team! Oh and if you come in from the alley on Clarence Street, there are 3 bars together. Left to right, The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence, and The Baxter Inn. TBI is in the corner and down some stairs.

It's easy to see why the Baxter is consistently included on "World's Best Bars" lists, because not only do they have one of the best whiskey selections that I've ever seen, but the atmosphere and service is also exceptional. Previously hidden behind an unmarked door, they now have said door open, with a doorman to help you spot it if it's your first visit. Once inside, the venue has a classy, speakeasy vibe, but also excels in that the service is top-notch. I went twice during my visit to Sydney: the first time, on a Friday, right after they opened for the day, and again on a busy Monday evening around midnight. Both times, I was greeted and served quickly. These bartenders are very efficient, no matter how busy the place gets, while also being just very pleasant people who seamlessly adapt to the level of service that each customer requires. All of this, while not having that pretentious attitude that a lot of these types of bars can have, creates a warm and welcoming environment. Both times I visited, I stayed for three drinks, because it's just a great place to be. On a side note, try the freshly squeezed apple juice mixed with whiskey!

Love the atmosphere. Great place to explore a wide range of adult beverages in Sydney.

Holy crap. This place is the real deal. Our bartenders at Bulletin Place and Palmer & Co. both recommended the Baxter Inn as #1 on their list. I see why now. So much care is put into making each drink perfect. Even the little things, like the peel in your drink, are made into the perfect shape/size. I started with a passionfruit spritz because I just love passionfruit, and it was the perfect by the pool drink. But, knowing I was in a fantastic cocktail bar, I had to switch to my classic - an aviation. My husband had to slow my roll because it was so good that I wasn't just slow slipping like I normally do. Natasha is a fantastic bartender. Very friendly and made our experience very fun. I could not recommend this place more. Oh, and if you like whisky, yea, this is your place.

Greatest Whisky bar in Sydney. some of the greatest bar staff and ine of the coolest venues. Don't hesitate to check it out

Great whisky bar. Always busy and Nice area to pop into as there are others around it.

Absolutely intolerable locals. If you are American I would recommend avoiding this place!!! Sitting at the bar next to a local typical Aussie who I think worked there and another maybe Indian guy with turban on his head chatting politely for a good half an hour. The guy with the turban told me I should not discuss the corona virus because I would scare people, bc not everyone was as eduction. Out of the blue having no idea where I was from other than the states he said- " We are educated here- this isn't the wild Wild West Texas were people are uneducated" he continued to say that Americans did have education and "universities in American were fake." What does that even mean? When I said your being quite racist and rude he didn't stop there and he countined to defend his statement that Americans were uneducated especially Texas, and finally after I began to cause a scene he said "I'm sorry you feel your education is good and I no longer want to talk to you- you should leave." I've been in hospitality for 20 years- and was actually introduced to this bar through hospitality. I've been to 22 countries this year alone across Asia and Europe and in 38 states. This was the most unapologeticly vulgar person I've encountered. The bartenders overheard and the female bartender did check to make sure I was okay even though I was not in her section. I over heard another bartender to tell her not to. What a shame. This was very greatly appreciated that she went out of her way to check on a fellow female. While the bar can't help how every local acts- this local was with an employee (from my understanding) so I suspect this is typical behavior of local men at the bar. And the reaction of the bar was to separate us. Again, Such a shame. In "uneducated Texas" we would have kicked out a guest for being belligerent and racist. Who acts like this in 2020? Bar was good, and until speaking to anyone I enjoyed my time. The first bartender was cute and charming and educated on the menu. Unfortunately my review is to Avoid and go elsewhere. This behavior was SO extreme and SO inappropriate I just can't recommend this spot.

Great whiskey selection and great staff. Service was slow but it was packed on a Thursday. Always stop when I am in Sydney.

Bet fun, great hidden speakeasy bar. The old fashioned was fantastic. Just gets a little too crowded.

I'm not a huge whiskey drinker, but classmates raved about this place so I had to check it out! I love the huge display of whiskeys all along the back wall of the bar and the dim-lit, speak-easy feel of the place. The bathrooms were pretty unique as well, with pull-to-flush toilets! The entrance seems difficult to find because it is hidden down an alley, but I came with a bunch of folks that had been before, so I didn't have trouble finding it. When we arrived there was a huge crowd by the bar, but there were plenty of seats in the back area available, so don't be fooled if it looks crowded - you'll probably still be able to find a seat. Even though the bartenders were slammed, they were quick to make our drinks. I ordered a Whiskey Sour (which set me back $19 AUD) and also tried my friend's Old Fashioned (which is what everyone else was ordering). Both were great, but for different types of whiskey drinkers. The whiskey in the sour was very much masked, just the way I like it, but it was the core of the Old Fashioned cocktail. I would definitely recommend you check this place out if you are a whiskey drinker, or if you are just looking for a cool place to hang out after dinner.

Really fun speakeasy. Craft cocktails and more. So glad my UPS pal made me try this place. Thx Parker!! These folks are amazing craftspeople. You won't regret coming here.

Gosh; hard to review such a cool spot. Heard about this place from a bar in London @bloomsburyclub and wanted to check it out. Everything about to screams hip and cool. Walk down an alley, then left, wait in a queue with a velvet red rope, head down a dingy staircase, and then enter one of the coolest bars I've been in. Awesome music coupled with great drinks. Lively atmosphere. Make sure to get the apple whiskey. It's my favorite on their menu.

Down a dark alley...down a staircase tucked in a corner...down in a basement...you will find a whiskey lovers dream. This place has the most extensive whiskey library I have ever seen. You will not be disappointed in Baxter Inn. The ambiance and bartenders are something special. Feels a little bit like going back in time. If you are after that rare whiskey that you have always wanted to try and yet can't find. This is the spot for you.

Food/Drinks: 5//5 Service: 5/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Decor & Style: 5/5 One of the coolest speakeasy's I've ever been to in the world! This looks like a place you see in the movies and in the 40's (guessing the decade). Free bar snacks and the environment is a place you can just hang here for hours. Pictures definitely don't do this place justice. I would say my favorite is Uncle Ming's for it's unique-ness and dim sum food, but this place top's the best Speak easy in the world for looks and ambience!

Extensive whiskey bar. So extensive. Always busy, man. Whether it's Saturday or Monday. Doesn't matter. Right behind my hotel, I figure I should try this spot. Great rum, whiskey, & beetroot cocktail I had. Omg. Perfection. Divey or sports bar atmosphere for sure. Still enjoyed.

Look this is supposed to be one of the top 15 whiskey bars in the world. Having been to a few on the list here's what I can say... I loved the vibe of the bar as soon as I walked in. There is an impersonal feel from the bartenders. They should all go to 1919 in San Antonio to understand how bartenders at a speak easy can be knowledgeable but fun too. The whiskeys ranged in price from $13-140. We tried several in the $25-50 range that tasted like moonshine or rubbing alcohol so that was disappointing. I love whiskey and drink it often; I wasn't impressed with the selections I happened to try that night BUT I did like the bar and I will go back.

How did I not review here before? Probably because there is limited signal and I didn't think of it after. Underground, I'm sure there's directions posted somewhere on line, but you'll find it across from easy 8 and the back of barbershop. Fun cocktails that are strong but smooth. Lots of beer options as well. Fun staff who may or may not climb on the back of the bar.

Excellent cocktails, great atmosphere, good prices - what more can you ask for? Like other speakeasy type bars, it's a bit hard to find at first- just walk into the sketch looking loading zone in middle of the block and you're good to go. Lots of great gin based cocktails, and I believe there's even a "make your own martini" section (didn't try it myself though). Would highly recommend if you're a fan of pdt, angel's share, bathtub gin and the like. No food but they have free peanuts? Go early if you want some peace and a good spot.

Super cool "hidden" bar, its at the top of all the "hidden bar" lists and I hadn't been yet. I almost gave it 3 stars because, while I didn't pay for my cocktail and my friend graciously did (it's my bday!) but she said it was like $22, WHAT NOW??!!! I mean, as if 17 bucks isn't exorbitant enough? What alternate reality do I live in where this is remotely OK? And you get like a sip. Bah! OK, so crotchety old lady ramblings about "the cost of things these days" aside, it was pretty spectacular. 20's music playing, melted candles along the wall, spectacular glass bottles back lit dramatically. I saw this amazing cocktail served in a half coconut shell. That would have been my next drink but we left because there was literally nowhere to stand or sit, and we were all in heels. And we started to become aware of a mouldy smell. It is a basement with no windows after all! We had amaretto sours, which I have now had all over the city. This one was quite exceptional until I learned how much it cost! Not worth the extra $5 and pretty outlandish when you can make a $17 price tag on a cocktail almost reasonable! Sheeesh!

Armed with IPhone gps, badly scrawled instructions and a hunting scent like a beagle I walk Clarence Street amused at myself that with all these tools I'm still finding it hard to find the entrance to Baxter Inn. Makes it all the more exciting - as I decide to walk down the long driveway that electrical vans are sitting in and find myself in the courtyard (dam tradie vans put me off my scent). I know that the males in my social group would be already put off by this search 'Why do I need to work this hard to find a drink' they would say and would rather sit with the statue at Ryans Bar because its straightforward and no fuss. I head towards a door at the corner and see 2 small signs one says '150 patrons only' and 'Please be considerate to our neighbours' descending the stairs I'm confronted with a fire extinguisher and then I see carpet. No way this carpet would lead to nowhere I say and follow it into a huge warm bar. Entering Baxter Inn it has low lights, blues music playing and banter of men resonating through the venue. Hello they all say, welcoming bar staff- I like this place very much. ' Come sit down' I do so and my colleagues soon arrive flustered. 'Far out Tereza you and your Alice in Wonderland holes' exasperates my colleague. She pulls herself up to the bar 'I will have one of your 300 whiskeys please?' with no hesitation. Yes there are 300 varieties of whiskey and even as a female you will be enticed, not persuaded as one bar tender suggests 'you might like the Blackcurrant liqueur and freshly pressed apple juice with ......... whiskey'. And yay here are the bowl of nuts. There are vintage wines too which can range from $100 a bottle, the lovely thing is they decanter the wine for you there at a table. What is nice is there's no door lists and no bookings EVERYONE IS WELCOME! It's apparent that this bar is going to become packed once people find out how to get here so check it out or visit on weekdays before this Pied Piper starts pulling in the crowds.

A super cool bar bar behind the Barbershop Bar. Hidden and secret feeling with an air of mystery. Great cocktails. Dimly lit, secretive and cozy feeling.

A fun surprise on a random Thursday night out in the city. We hadn't planned on stopping by, but I'm glad we did. Baxter Inn deserves the hype. Great ambiance, and laid back crowd. Not sure how I would feel about queuing up in the alley to go here, but it wasn't terribly busy when we went. Whiskey fans will especially appreciate this place. I enjoyed my drink, but I'm definitely not a "whiskey connoisseur."

Underground bar, no phone reception - excellent. It feels like more of an experience this way and your company are forced to surrender to the present. More bars should do this. You could easily get carried way and forget what hour of the night it is here. Lots of brown liquor and dapper barmen who love to serve it to you. Seems to be no dress code (I saw a girl in runners and Lulu Lemons), which makes it kind of relaxed when you'd expect it to be a bit hoity-toity. Its secret, its suave, and kind of noisy, à la Boardwalk Empire. The Egyptian guy at the door is a lovely chap.

Loud...Pretentious...and not to be missed. Had a blast and the drinks were top notch. It is difficult to find, but well worth the experience once you do.

Another great litte bar with great character and cocktail. Reminds me of Shady Pines, little alley way entrance, sign on door. Came here with some coworkers after work for some drinks. Had an awesome whisky apple drink and they give you unlimited pretzels. We basically drank and ate pretzels for 2 hours. Also tried the old cuban, pretty good. Drinks are strong and the service is good.

One of the many 'speak easy' bars in the area. More hidden than most. Down the delivery dock alley and down the dodgy stairs and it opens to a comfortable whisky bar. Atmosphere is great and the drinks are awesome. Especially if you like your whisky and cocktails. Organize a hidden bar night in the area and it's a must do. Go to the barbershop first then when you go out back entrance, you can walk straight through to Baxter. Be warned. Friday nights are BUSY.

The Baxter Inn is my favourite bar. If you have not been you just have to go. The Baxter is just off Clarence St down a fire escape. When I was first taken here by some dear dear friends I thought they were playing a practical joke on me! You don't know where you are headed until you open the door. Once open soft jazz, dim lights and chattering voices greet you. As you turn left you see the wall of Whiskey saying a warm hello. The staff here are lovely and knowledgeable about the hundreds of Whiskeys they have on offer but I am partial to the half bottle of Chardonnay! The Baxter Inn has the cities best Old Fashion BTW. Come here early to get a prime drinking spot and settle in for a few hours. This place fills up and once at capacity getting a drink takes some time. Ok stop reading and GO already!

I am loving that Sydney has so many pop bars now a days. The Baxter Inn is another one of these bars - I read the review and thought immediately that I had to check this place out for myself The review mentioned the location was hidden and tucked away... No kidding- it was so tucked away that we passed not once but twice we stood there on the footpath thinking where the bloody hell is it?! Then from the distance we could see some people walking out of an alley - bingo! We walked down this alley and when we reached the end of it thought once again we failed & we might have turned around and walked back, if it were not for the red velvet rope gates we saw to our right. And so through the entrance door & down two flights of stairs we were in! It's a Tuesday night and it's packed. But immediately I thought this bar is so much like the NYC bars I had been to so of course one word - LOVE! Its essentially a whisky bar and although I'm not a big whisky fan - i was impressed with their whisky collection. Their cocktails were impressive too! They also provide free bowl of pretzels- bottomless I might add! #winning

I heard some noise in a back alley and like a dumb ass I walked down it to see what was going on. I was not expecting to see a bar! However I saw some people walk down this dodgy set of steps and like a dumbass I walked down the dodgy steps to a door, which led to another door. Nothing bad can happen right? I opened the door and it led to another door. By this time I have no clue what I'm doing but decide to open this door slowly. Luckily for me it ended up being a bar with a massive whisky collection! I walked in and the place is a bit dark and very cozy. I went up to the bar and ordered a drink. Friendly staff and even better patrons. I'd definitely come back and the place isn't overly loud! Great place to tuck away and enjoy some whisky.

Awesome place to get a great cocktail. Free pretzels, tasty drinks and fun tunes blaring. Would have been five stars, but our bartender wasn't very friendly, we were interested in hearing/learning more about Australian whiskies, but didn't get much from him.

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!

When you step up to a bar and order an Aviator and a Boulevardier and the bartender doesn't flinch, you know you're dealing with professionals. This place is about as good as it gets cocktail-wise. They have a really impressive scotch selection and a large Japanese Whiskey selection as well. At 9PM, the joint was jumpin', but we had no trouble getting in and finding a table. There seemed to be a pretty steady turnover, and I never noticed anyone having issues finding a place to sit. There was no table service, which might be a "con" for some, but I like dealing directly with the bartender anyway. Another possible "con", it's pretty lively and I occasionally wished it were a bit quieter. However, loved the music! Overall, it's a must-visit whiskey/cocktail spot in Sydney.

Hidden away down an alley and in the loading area of some restaurants, there are 3 bars and there was a wait for 2 of them. The Baxter Inn was one of them. Once you get through the door and walk down the stairs, you'll find a swanky speakeasy. There's a wall of whiskey and it's not overcrowded. There's jazzy music playing that gives it a very lively mood. I got two cocktail drinks where I tell the bartender what I like (Oban, Ardberg (both neat), and a Manhattan) and ask them to create something. The first one was $19. The second one came from the owner who kindly gave it to me on the house. Likely because she saw a random guy approach me saying he's asking for a friend if I was single and we had a conversation about getting hit on when we don't want to lol. Both were excellent drinks and put me in a good place. And, there's unlimited pretzels, yum!

It's a fun bar that the locals love. It does get quite jam packed on a Saturday night, and last call is around 1:45. Pretty loud and can be a bit difficult to grab a seat. Perfect if you love whiskey! Music's pretty fun - they had 80's when we were here.

One of my favorite bars in Sydney. If you're a lover of scotch, whiskey and bourbon then look no further. They have a massive selection to choose from and the staff are amazing at making cocktails. Baxter Inn has no real sign and is down this seedy alley...down some questionable stairs...but what you find inside is a bar styled after a 1920's speakeasy. The bar is dark minus several candles and faint decor light. It really gives off a great feel to the place....also with the same era music being played throughout the bar. This bar has load of character and it shows from their staff to the decor. The staff are super knowledgable about whiskey and this place makes an awesome Old Fashioned.

Absolutely loved this bar. A fantastic selection of whisky. The staff were incredible knowledgeable and friendly and had a fine appreciation of the spirits they were serving.

I just love this hidden underground bar! The atmosphere is great, as well as the decor! I particularly love the fresh apple whiskey cocktail. It is always so much fun to bring new people to that place and see their faces when you walk them in the dark alley and go down the stairs. And of course, seeing the relief when they finally enter the bar is priceless!

Really awesome vibe and atmosphere. Hubby and I had an Old Fashioned each. Delish. Also, our water glasses were never empty. Staff was insane and on top of everything. Wouldn't go there for a chill drink with friends. Too loud and packed, but definitely a must visit experience!

Hidden bar in the loading zone of an alley. The entrance is pretty easy to miss. After a flight of stairs the doors open up to the speakeasy. They also have Old Fashioned on tap! There is a private tasting room in the back with some rare finds. I wonder how you can get access to that... Free pretzels! Whiskey selection is amazing! You name it, they probably have it. The environment is very dark and loud. Very crowded. Gets quite warm.