So it’s wine o’clock and the echoes coming from your stomach are consuming your every thought, but it’s not quite dinner time and you’re in need of a solution- Aperitivo is just for you! Originating in Italy, it is their version of happy hour, where the afternoon hits and drinks are complimented with nibbles, or vice versa.
We at HCS like to think of Aperitivo as an excuse to squeeze another meal in between lunch and dinner while sipping on a beverage because, well, why not? Check out these bars and restaurants to satisfy those pesky afternoon munchies, Italian style.
412 Crown St, Surry Hills
The Aperitivo Hour at The Dolphin Hotel is taken up a notch, while saving you from any dents in your bank account. Their team offer up Aperitivo on Sundays through to Thursdays from 5-7pm, with drinks and nosh from $5-$7! Even more, they hold regular events, Delphino Aperitivo, where they showcase a local brew, barrel, or eatery. Food wise, you can expect anything from tacos to bruschetta, and even spaghetti.
20 Bond St, Sydney CBD
If you thought you had to compensate on food because of the price of your cocktail, think again. At Matteo Downtown, you can order a drink, any drink, a cocktail, an Aperol Spritz, maybe two, and you will be welcomed with complimentary snacks… with each drink! Head down from Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. It’s almost like winning a prize for every cocktail.
2-12/1 Angel Pl, Sydney CBD
Who said Aperitivo could only last an hour or two? Not the team at Bacco, that’s for sure. Their Aperitivo is held on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from… 4-9pm! You can enjoy a spritz, Negroni, Vermouth or wine and free snacks that chef chooses for you. These delectable snacks include jaffles, chunks of parmesan, pizza by the slice, and arancini. You’ll most likely want to spend all 5 hours there with that on offer.
417-421 Bourke St, Surry Hills
Maybe Frank have a focus on a modern-Italian twist, and boy are we glad. From Wednesdays to Sundays, 5:30-7pm you can enjoy Aperitivo with a selection of rotating cocktails priced at a measly $10! Grab a spritz or maybe (frank) try their Caprioska cocktail, and enjoy options from their menu of spuntini street food.
371-373 Bourke St, Darlinghurst
At Casoni, drinks are cheap as doughnuts. Specifically as cheap as their $8 savoury cacio e pepe doughnuts! These delish little morsels have gained a reputation, so order a serve… or five, and from 5-6:30pm Tuesday through to Saturday, you can score a beer for a dollar less. Not into brews? Negroni and Aperol are on offer and are paired with cheese boards and croquettes. Yes please.
Sydney is certainly no stranger to Aperitivo hour, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t regularly participate, right? Don’t make any after-work plans this summer, you have your schedule sorted now, and it involves a lot of olives and spritzes.
By Lauren Riccardi
