Housed in the former Grandma’s basement, this neon-lit haunt embraces the grit and energy of the ‘80s and ‘90s, blending old-school rock and hip-hop with world-class cocktails. It’s a little dive with a big personality, set to shake up the city’s drinking culture—if only for a limited time.
Sydney’s bar scene has no shortage of luxe cocktail lounges and chic rooftop spots, but true dive bars? They’re a rarity. Enter Little Cooler, a rebellious new pop-up from Maybe Sammy’s Stefano Catino, Vince Lombardo, and Matt Whiley. Housed in the former Grandma’s basement, this neon-lit haunt embraces the grit and energy of the ‘80s and ‘90s, blending old-school rock and hip-hop with world-class cocktails. It’s a little dive with a big personality, set to shake up the city’s drinking culture—if only for a limited time.
The concept for Little Cooler was born out of a desire to create something raw, exciting, and completely different from the polished cocktail lounges Sydney is known for. “We’re capturing that raw, rebellious spirit you’d find in legendary venues like CBGB, where the post-punk movement started, and where Madonna performed in her early days,” explains Catino. “It’s not just the music—it’s the energy, the vibe. We’re mixing rock and old-school hip-hop, creating a space where it feels like you can leave everything at the door, enjoy great tunes, and let loose with some incredible drinks.”
Design with a Story
Designed by Steel & Stitch, the bar’s interior which accommodates just 60 people leans into an industrial, DIY aesthetic, with reclaimed materials from past projects repurposed to create a layered, textured space. “From the bar tops to the seating, everything carries a bit of history,” says the design team. “It’s about giving a second life to materials while creating a space that feels alive from day one.” Exposed brick, neon lights, and eclectic décor nod to the era of grunge and alternative music, ensuring the space feels intimate, electric, and effortlessly cool.
 
Cocktails: Classic Names, New Twists
The drinks menu is an unexpected clash of nostalgia and refinement. While the names—Screaming Orgasm, Sex on the Beach, Cosmopolitan, Breakfast Martini—might sound straight out of the ‘90s, the execution is anything but.
“We wanted to take classic cocktails and reimagine them through a lens of humor and fun, as though we were making them for the first time,” says Whiley. The Screaming Orgasm, for example, swaps out the cloying sweetness of its original recipe for a sophisticated milk punch infused with coffee, vanilla, whisky, and almonds. The Naked & Almost Famous brings together fermented rhubarb wine, lime, and mezcal for a tart, smoky take on a margarita.
Other standouts include the Sex on the Beach, featuring house-salted peach liqueur, orange wine, tepache, vodka, and dark berry liqueur, and the Breakfast Martini, reimagined with gin, orange wine triple sec, whipped avocado oil, and lemon.
The Atmosphere: High Energy, No Pretence
At just 60-person capacity, Little Cooler is about leaning into the crowd rather than finding a quiet corner. Expect a soundtrack of INXS, Run DMC, early Madonna, and post-punk anthems, setting the stage for a night that’s as much about the music as it is the drinks. The energy is raw, the space intimate, and the atmosphere encourages guests to let their guard down, embrace the chaos, and enjoy a night that feels wholly unfiltered.
The aim of the team is a space where people can leave their worries at the door; a break from the usual Sydney bar experience and somewhere you can just lose yourself in great music, great drinks, and great company.
A Pop-Up with a Deadline
Little Cooler’s home is a building set for demolition in 2026, which means this bar has an expiration date. While it’s set to last 18 months, the team remains open to the idea of extending its life if demand dictates.
“It’s not about the perfect location,” adds Maybe Sammy co-founder Vincenzo Lombardo. “We’re creating a destination where people will come for the atmosphere, the music, and the drinks. We’re excited to see how the city embraces it.”
For those looking to escape Sydney’s polished cocktail culture in favour of something grittier, Little Cooler is the place to be. It’s a bar that’s loud, unpretentious, and effortlessly cool—an underground escape where the drinks are killer, the music slaps, and the nights feel endless.
Find Little Cooler at 275 Clarence Street, Sydney, open Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm–2am.
