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Pubs in Sydney

Newport Arms Hotel. Image Paul Gosney

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Manly Wharf Hotel

Highlights

Sydney pubs to visit

Some of Sydney’s best pubs are by the harbour or by the beach, and many are heritage-listed. Check out The Tilbury Hotel at Woolloomooloo, The Welcome Hotel at Rozelle, The Carlisle Castle in Newtown and The Shakespeare in Surry Hills.

Best Sydney pubs

Durty Nelly's Pub in Paddington. Image James Morgan

Sydney’s thriving pub scene includes many beautifully restored heritage pubs and boutique venues with live music. The city's mild climate is just right for making the most of their balconies, roof terraces and courtyards with cold beer on tap or a glass of local wine and a delicious meal.

The Rocks is the perfect starting point for a heritage pub tour. The Fortune of War, Hero of Waterloo, Lord Nelson and the Orient all date back to Sydney’s colonial days, and now serve great pub food and drinks in a lively atmosphere. Also in The Rocks, The Glenmore and The Australian have great pub food and welcoming ambience. Also in the city the elegant Arthouse Hotel is a former School of Arts dating back to 1836.

Harbourside Balmain was once a working-class suburb with many pubs whose names reflected Australia's colonial heritage - Cricketer's Arms Hotel (now The Monkey Bar), Dry Dock Hotel, Forth & Clyde Hotel, Kent Hotel, Shipwright's Arms Hotel to name a few. Today, many of these pubs mix historical charm with delicious modern-Australian menus. Don’t miss the Royal Oak and the London, or relax on the upstairs balcony at the Town Hall and watch the buzz of Darling Street below. Enjoy the funky atmosphere and great bar food at the Three Weeds in Rozelle.

In Paddington, head to the Lord Dudley to enjoy a traditional English country pub atmosphere, or to the popular Four in Hand. One of Sydney’s best pubs with a view is the Woolwich Pier Hotel where you can take in scenic Sydney Harbour from the upstairs balcony.

Manly Wharf

Manly wharf at Manly Cove. Image Andrew Gregory

You don’t have to go far to enjoy some of Australia’s best pub-with-a-view dining experiences – just head to the wharf at Manly. If you’re looking for stylish outdoor dining, check out Hugo’s Manly for a modern take on classic pizzas. Combine beer by the stein with pretzels at the Bavarian Bier Café, or chill on the waterfront deck at the Manly Wharf Hotel. Don’t miss the Four Pines microbrewery just across the road.

Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks

There’s more to this heritage-listed art deco hotel than the stunning harbour views. Take in all the bustle of the harbour and bridge-climbers while you enjoy a glass of wine and a hearty mod-Oz lunch or dinner in the bar.

Harbour View Hotel in The Rocks.

Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel

Live music, delicious seasonal menus and amazing harbour views. This heritage hotel has it all – reward yourself with a sundowner on the balcony after a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens nearby.

Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel. Image Tony Yeates

Watsons Bay Hotel

A Sunday barbecue lunch at the Watsons Bay Hotel is a Sydney must, although you can enjoy it any day or night of the week. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay, and take in the views from one of the best beer gardens in the world.

Watsons Bay Hotel overlooking the beach. Image Andrew Gregory

Pubs in Sydney

Sydney is a city with lots to offer on the bar and pub scene, with many newer venues nestled in laneways and inner city suburbs. From fine wine and delicately-sized food offerings, through to comfy, easy-going pubs with live music and comfort food - Sydney offers such variety.Sydney is home to several of the oldest pubs and breweries in the country, which continue to pour an assortment of tasty beers.

Balmain, a working-class suburb, features a bustling pub culture. The 1879 built Royal Oak Hotel, located in the character filled back streets, is one of the most charming pub experiences serving Australian cuisine. Blending convict days with modern living, The Rocks and Circular Quay lay claim to Sydney's oldest and most frequented pubs: the Fortune of War, Hero of Waterloo, Lord Nelson and The Orient.

Heritage pubs line Paddington in Sydney's east. The Royal, the award-winning Four in Hand, The Grand National and Windsor Castle are all waiting for you to sample vibrant pub life. Why not make a night of it and stay a night at the affordable East Sydney Hotel to sample an old-fashioned country pub?

Plenty of popular gay-friendly waterholes are scattered along King street and side streets in Newtown. Don't miss the Bank Hotel, Imperial Hotel, the Courthouse and Newtown Hotel.

Don't miss these food and wine experiences in Sydney

  • The Victoria Room, Darlinghurst Victoria Room Inner Sydney, Sydney, Darlinghurst

    If there is one place you visit when you're in Sydney, make sure it's The Victoria Room.The Victoria Room is an ultra smooth establishment l...

    www.thevictoriaroom.com
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  • Mrs Sippy Mrs Sippy Sydney East, Sydney, Double Bay

    Double Bay isn't the usual postcode for cool bars but Mrs Sippy on Bay Street is set to change that. With a quartet of owners, all who have impressive...

    www.mrssippy.com.au
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  • Bulletin Place Bulletin Place Sydney City, Sydney, Circular Quay

    Located one block up from Circular Quay, Bulletin Place is causing a cocktail storm with famed bartender Tim Philips from Hemmesphere Cocktail Bar at ...

    www.bulletinplace.com
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  • Aburi Rolls made by Head Chef Taichi Ito Crane Bar Sydney City, Sydney, Potts Point and Woolloomooloo

    Crane is a stylish, all-encompassing, state-of-the-art Japanese Fusion Bar, Cocktail Lounge and Restaurant.Crane comprises of a unique sushi bar, amaz...

    www.cranesydney.com
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  • Red Lily Cocktail Bar Red Lily Cocktail Bar Inner Sydney, Sydney, Darlinghurst

    Red Lily is an exclusive little bar tucked away in a quiet Darlinghurst backstreet, on Crown Lane. Positioned behind Luke Nguyen's Red Lantern on Rile...

    www.redlantern.com.au/red
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  • Shady Pines Saloon Shady Pines Saloon Inner Sydney, Sydney, Darlinghurst

    Craving a little bit of southern charm? Head to Darlinghurst's Shady Pines Saloon, order a whiskey on the rocks, listen to Johnny Cash and allow t...

    www.shadypinessaloon.com
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  • Palmer and Co Palmer and Co Sydney City, Sydney, City Centre

    Located in a secret laneway, Palmer and Co is a swanky new cocktail bar by the Merivale clan. Beyond the fanciful cocktail list, the Abercrombie Lane ...

    merivale.com.au/palmerand
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  • Warragamba Workers Club Warragamba Workers Club Sydney West, Sydney, Surrounds

    The New Spillway Restaurant at the Warragamba Workers and Sporting Club is an ideal place to stop when in the northern villages of Wollondilly. It is ...

    www.visitwollondilly.com.
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  • Sydney Rowing Club Sydney Rowing Club Inner Sydney, Sydney, Surrounds

    For a true destination experience catch the 30 minute ferry from Circular Quay and the many stops in between along the idyllic Parramatta River to the...

    www.sydneyrowingclub.com.
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  • Crown Hotel Crown Hotel Sydney City, Sydney, City Centre

    If you are homesick for your local pub try the Players bar. With a 24 hour menu, TAB and gaming room facilities it is sure to fill the void. The bout...

    www.crownhotel.com.au/
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  • Hero of Waterloo The Hero of Waterloo Sydney City, Sydney, City Centre

    The History of the Hero of Waterloo Hotel, 81 Lower Fort Street, The Rocks, Sydney, begins in 1843. George Paton, builder of the Garrison Church in 18...

    heroofwaterloo.com.au/
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  • Watershed Hotel Watershed Hotel Sydney City, Sydney, Darling Harbour

    Located on the picturesque Darling Harbour, The Watershed Hotel is the perfect place to dine, drink and dance. With an all day breakfast and an appeti...

    www.thewatershedhotel.com
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  • Rock Lily at The Star Rock Lily Sydney City, Sydney, Pyrmont

    Rock Lily is a live music bar which showcases the best Australian music acts, plus features a number of international performers. It also boasts one o...

    www.star.com.au/rocklily
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  • Grandmas Bar Grandma's Bar Sydney City, Sydney, City Centre

    Vintage clothing has made a resurgence and at Grandma's, so has vintage dining. Step back in time and enjoy a cocktail served in patterned crocker...

    www.grandmasbarsydney.com
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  • 121BC Cantina and Enoteca 121BC Cantina and Enoteca Inner Sydney, Sydney, Surry Hills

    121BC Cantina and Enoteca has opened opposite the more mature Italian restaurant, Vini. All about vino, the little wine bar serves wine by the glass f...

    www.121bc.com.au
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