Australians clock off early in the global relay of happy hours, and few cities do it better than Sydney. "Knock-off" is both the moment work ends and the drink that follows it — that first cold schooner as the arvo (afternoon) winds down and the light goes gold over the harbour.

Beachside pubs from Bondi to Manly fill with the after-work crowd, thongs and all, while the ferries slide past the Opera House and the sun takes its time going down. There's an easy, sun-warmed democracy to it: no dress code, no pretense, just a beer and good company at the edge of the water.

By the time Sydney is toasting the end of its day, the wave of 5 o'clock is only beginning its long roll westward around the world.