Sydney’s new Bar Copo is an effortless blend of Aussie and Latin-American culture

“Welcome home”, this corner hideout seems to say even as it beckons you into the embrace of a culture that’s as warmly inviting as it is potentially unfamiliar.

The passion project inspired by a group of friends chilling at a beachside boteco in Brazil, Bar Copo is a singing testament to the loud, lively, and comfortable backstreet bars of South America. Yes, the ones filled with familiar faces lovingly up in your business, and familial welcomes tossed out to strangers in town for the night.

The location is perfect at just a couple of minutes from Bondi Beach, making it both a prime rendezvous for beach-goers and a seaside escape for city-dwellers.

The space is inviting with wooden tables, poster-plastered walls, and bare bulb lighting strewn atop their al-fresco street-side dining space. The vibe here is palpably electric, and if you happen to be walking across the street from Copo, you’ll feel the unexplainable pull to the magnetic energy exuding from this joint.

Having already made a name for themselves with their delicious cocktails, apart from their menu staples you’ll also find exciting specials here like their weekly seasonal margs. Must-trys here includes their Caipirinha (a widely popular Brazilian concoction of Cachaca, lime and sugar), Rabo de Galo (Cachaca, Cynar and Vermouth) and of course, any of their signature Margaritas. There’s also a range of wines here from whites, reds, and rose alongside 1L beer on tap, so no matter what your poison is, you’ll be spoiled happy.

Bar Copo isn’t just a spot to pop in for a great drink over friendly banter with the crew, it’s also a certifiable Sydney foodie destination. First things first, the empanadas here are a requirement. Made fresh daily and served hot with fillings that range from braised baby octopus with squid ink to slow-cooked beef shin and beetroot with palm heart, this local boteco has a deliciously crispy turnover for every type of person.

For more substantial fare, their fried fish bait sharing plate and chicken heart skewers with chimichurri sauce come highly recommended (by fans and crew alike). Also, grab a hot and hearty Choripan baguette roll (filled with chorizo, chimichurri, mozzarella and sauces) – one of their many beloved roll options, for a meal that brings you right to Argentina’s doorstep.

The vision for the creative heart and soul here includes a constant stream of live music acts and weekly samba parties.

Wondering what to order at Bar Copo? Dish Cult recommends the delicious $16 Choripan.