Shady Pines Saloon image

Shady Pines Saloon

Bar

Low-lit, cowboy-themed hot spot with specialty whiskeys, craft ales, sarsaparilla and peanut snacks. People often mention great, music, staff, whiskey, friendly, drinks, apple, peanuts, find,


Address

4/256 Crown St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia

Website

www.swillhouse.com

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.1K reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Saturday: 4 pm to 1:30 am
  • Sunday: (New Year's Eve), 4 pm to 12 am, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (New Year's Day), Closed, Holiday hours
  • Tuesday: 4 pm to 12 am
  • Wednesday: 4 pm to 12 am
  • Thursday: 4 pm to 12 am
  • Friday: 4 pm to 1:30 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (10) music (9) staff (9) whiskey (8) friendly (7) drinks (6) apple (6) peanuts (6) find (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jenny 1 year ago on Google
    Almost with a speakeasy entrance that was very easy to miss, Shady Pines Saloon was a great underground bar with a cowboy-themed interior. It was packed, even before 5pm on a Saturday, I can see why. The drinks were so good (highly recommend the whiskey apple cocktail) and there were free peanuts to snack on which was a bonus. Amazing bar which I hope to come to again soon.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sharyn 1 year ago on Google
    Tucked away down a side alleyway, Shady Pines is an absolute treat! This place has an awesome vibe from the moment you walk in. The interior is eclectic with loads of taxidermy hanging overhead and great music. The drinks are so good and made with care - totally worth skipping the beer at this bar! The staff are always attentive and friendly which creates an atmosphere other places could only long for! This is without a doubt, one of my favourite bars in Sydney where everyone is welcome. A definite must visit!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tyler M. 1 year ago on Google
    Hidden down an alley way behind painted white glass doors, you venture into the dim lit space following the flow of the room. Transcending down some stairs into an fairy lit, cowboy themed bar with moose heads & free peanut snack bowls. Happy hour currently from 4 to 6pm each day. I tried the apple whiskey, made with freshly squeezed juice and a couple of margaritas. The cowboy hat wearing staff make your feel welcome - a well done western experience recommended for all going out occasions.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew T. 3 years ago on Google
    It’s like... an awesome dive. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s kinda like a cabin in the Canadian woods but with a way better bar. The happy hour prices are also super quality.. especially the $5 whisky apples. Take me back!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Justin P. 1 year ago on Google
    As an American, I can tell you that this dive bar was hands down the best experience I had in Sydney during my short stay in the city. The space was clean, the decor a comfort from home, and the bartenders better than any I've seen east of the Mississippi. Shout out to Abby and the rest of the crew, and I hope the Jack honey and apple catches on. I'll see y'all next time I come through. -Jay
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 C Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Unassuming entry that transports you to the Wild West. It takes a minute to adjust to the dimly lit inside. Amazing happy hour deals - $5 whiskey apples and $12 margaritas! The free peanuts were a fine touch. 10/10 recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lis 2 years ago on Google
    Love coming to Shady Pines for happy hour between 4-6pm. There’s live music every Sunday. It’s a little tricky to find but that’s part of the fun 🤩
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 s k. 7 months ago on Google
    A cool bar. Hard to find but there is a bouncer standing on the street where the door is. Very dark inside and it's difficult to know what whiskey they have. Also a little loud but definitely has a Yellowstone vibe to it
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sam and B. 10 months ago on Google
    Wow! What a bar. Quietly tucked away off a side street in Darlinghurst, Shady Pines Saloon is bustling with activity. Pop in to the super friendly staff during happy hour, for the freshest whiskey and apple juice in Sydney (only $6.50). Visiting is a must, if you can find the entrance 😉
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robert G. 4 months ago on Google
    I would never have found this bar without a friend bringing me to it. Lovely underground bar, super friendly staff, great choices of drinks. They don't do food but did allow us to bring food back from Oxford St.

  • 5/5 Amy D. 4 months ago on Google
    This is is cool, fun and the place to be seen. All you have to do is find it. You go into an alley and enter through a fire escape like entrance. Look for the security guard/RSA officer. Go down the stairs. Fun deco. Well themed. A bowl of free peanuts offered. Shelling them is a good cover for awkward first dates. Toilets not so clean (from memory unisex). Pearl Hart was the best flavored cocktail. I would definitely go back.

  • 4/5 Elvis Poa (El P. 7 months ago on Google
    Absolutely hands down my favourite hole-in-the-wall bar. Country/Western styled aesthetics with staff and music that caters to the atmosphere and feel. The place is dimly lit with space and food being limited (consider eating prior to visiting). However, the entertainment line ups they have are amazing and usually rallies the patrons to the dance floor. I don't drink much, but I do love the options they have to broaden my palate and pique my interest.

  • 5/5 Ash P. 5 months ago on Google
    Access down an unmarked door into the establishment. The bouncer was very nice and let us without a fuss once we provided IDs. The bar itself has a nice energy, pleasant atmosphere, quirky interior, and decent drinks (albeit a little on the pricey side for backpackers). We enjoyed our evening here, and we definitely recommend it.

  • 5/5 The Red r. 8 months ago on Google
    Great little bar with a cool cowboy western saloon vibe. Bar tenders are unbelievable, friendly, great product knowledge, fast and efficient. Complementary peanuts in a shell, dead animals hanging from the wall, comfortable seating, hidden down a little dingy alley, live music Thursday and Sundays. This place is definitely worth checking out.

  • 5/5 toby r. 8 months ago on Google
    What a wonderful hidden gem behind Oxford Street off Crown... Immediately we were all greeted as we came down the stairs by a fabulous bar person. This is going to become a regular spot when we pop out ... had fantastic birthday drinks and chat along with a little dance next to the bar. Style is southern american quirky. It was very busy and fun fun fun....

  • 5/5 Katie B. 10 months ago on Google
    I love this place! The decor reminds me of my Texan grandfather's house in the BEST way. The staff was super friendly. I think whiskey with fresh apple juice is my new favorite thing...

  • 5/5 Jason B. 1 year ago on Google
    Still such a refreshing break from the usual Sydney venues. It's unashamedly shady pines saloon. The whisky list is great, the staff are great and live music adds to the great vibe. Seek it out if you haven't been yet.

  • 5/5 Annette O. 1 year ago on Google
    I went to Shady Pines Saloon Saturday night with a group of friends by happenstance, as we just stumbled inside. Immediately we were greeted by the bartending staff. I went up to the bar with another friend and the bartender introduced himself. His name was John and he suggested many cocktails to us, and the one we decided on was delicious. He asked us where we were from and was very kind. Additionally, the entire atmosphere was very fun, with a great selection of music and all of the patrons being friendly, mingling and introducing themselves to us. At the end of the night, the bartenders rang a bell to signify the last call for drinks, and they all did a little cheer. You could tell that they all enjoyed working together and got along with one another, which improved the atmosphere for everyone there. Definitely a place I would recommend and I hope to go there again!

  • 4/5 Sara D. 1 year ago on Google
    Fun, kitschy, country bar. Live music, free peanuts. A very casual, loud and lively place. Country night is a lot of fun. Bathrooms are meh, could be cleaner, but its a dive so not really unexpected.

  • 5/5 Sarah C. 1 year ago on Google
    The coolest hidden bar! I’ve been in Sydney for years and have only just discovered this place. They have a fantastic whiskey selection and even better knowledge of said whiskey. If you go you have to try their fresh apple juice, it’s bloody great. Super hidden so you have only people that know how to find it and local bartenders going!

  • 5/5 Samuel R. 1 year ago on Google
    Finally I have found a place with country bluesy music and great beer!! And they serve peanuts!! Definitely recommend it if you can find it. If you want to go there on a date night, I would suggest earlier on in the week and sit towards the back, because if live music is playing you are there to enjoy it and not really talk. But the staff are incredible and friendly, you feel like a local as soon as you walk in.


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Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Dancing
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✗ Takeaway

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