Behind the Bar: What It’s Really Like Being a Topless Waitress at Sydney’s Hottest Pubs

Call me Belle.

I’ve been a topless waitress for just over two years, and I’ve worked all over Sydney—from rowdy bucks parties in Bondi to packed footy nights at Peakhurst. I’ve worn lingerie in 40-degree heat, been tipped in fifties, fumbled a beer tray in front of 40 lads, and yes… once ran into someone’s dad (don’t worry, not mine).

This gig? It’s wild. It’s fun. And it’s definitely not what most people think.

So here it is—the truth about being a topless waitress at Sydney’s busiest pubs, straight from behind the bar.

My first topless shift (aka the night I forgot how to breathe)

I’ll never forget my first shift. It was a Friday night at the Concourse Bar. I’d been practising my confident walk in the mirror all week. I had my lashes on, my hair curled, and my lace set steamed and ready. But the second I stepped into the venue, a hundred pairs of eyes turned my way—and my brain just said nope.

What if my ex walks in? What if someone from high school is here? What if my dad walks in?

(Spoiler: he didn’t.)

Turns out, once the first tray of beers is served and the first punter calls you “darl” like you’ve been mates forever, the nerves settle. You find your rhythm. You pour a beer. You wink. You own it.

Best shifts ever: Footy finals, hens nights & surprise birthdays

Some nights just slap harder than others.

• State of Origin at Market Hotel? Pure mayhem. Every try, someone yells “Shots for the boys!” and suddenly I’m playing ringmaster in a circus of beer, boobs and bets.
• Hens nights at Peakhurst are the best. Women tip better, compliment your makeup, and get excited when you teach them how to carry five drinks at once in stilettos.
• Surprise birthdays where the birthday boy has no clue a Bombshell is about to walk out with his beer and a cheeky smile? Iconic. One guy nearly dropped his schnitty.

The craziest tipping moment

There was this one shift—I was doing laps with trays at a bucks do in the pub when the groom’s brother stood up and said, “I’ll double whatever she makes tonight.”

By the end of the shift? $1,400 in tips. That’s more than I made in three weeks working retail. He ended up booking us again for his own bucks party six months later.

Cheers, legend.

Regulars we secretly love (and the ones we don’t)

We remember you. All of you. Especially if:

• You tip without making it weird.
• You remember our name.
• You don’t ask if we’re “doing extras.”

The worst?

• Blokes who act like we’re part of the furniture.
• Anyone who says “You’d be hotter if you smiled.”
• Guys who slap the table for service like it’s 1952.

Golden rule: If you wouldn’t do it to your barista, don’t do it to your Bombshell.

From lingerie to tassels: How the week builds

Mondays? Chill. Lingerie shifts, low-key pub vibes, bit of banter.

Fridays? Chaos. Tassels flying, birthday shots everywhere, half the crowd trying to out-shout the DJ. Saturdays? Pure party mode. And by Sunday? We’re wearing trackies and drinking tea like suburban nans.

Pub vibes: Concourse Bar vs Market Hotel vs Peakhurst

Every venue has its own flavour.

• Concourse Bar: Big energy, big footy crowds. You need fast feet and thicker skin.
• Market Hotel: Themed nights, bucks parties, and dancefloor chaos. One of my faves.
• Peakhurst: Locals who are actually nice. A mix of flirty and fun without the loudest blokes in Sydney trying to impress their mates.

Want to know where we’re working this week? Check the Bombshells pub schedule.

What makes the best patrons ever?

It’s not about the biggest tips (though they help). The best patrons:

• Laugh with us, not at us
• Respect the boundaries
• Hype their mates up, not bring them down
• Understand that we’re people doing a job—a fun one, yes, but still a job

The energy you give us? We’ll reflect it right back. Tenfold.

3 myths about topless waitresses (spoiler: we’re not all strippers)

1. We’re all strippers.

Nope. Some girls do both, but many of us stick to waitressing. It’s about service, energy, and presentation—not necessarily performing a show.

2. We don’t enjoy it.

Wrong again. Most of us love the job. It’s social, it’s well-paid, and it gives us independence.

3. We’ll tolerate anything.

Hell no. One sleazy comment and we’ll shut it down fast. Bombshells trains us well, and we’ve got backup if anyone crosses the line.

So… wanna meet us in person?

We’re out across Sydney every week—shaking cocktails, dodging beer spills, and keeping the energy high in pubs across the city.

Come see us in person – check the Weekly Pubs schedule

Want this kind of energy at your event? Book Bombshells.

Planning a bucks party? Let’s talk.

Come for the beers. Stay for the banter. Just don’t call us “babe” unless you’re tipping big.