Sydney Bars - Craft Beer and Breweries

Historically, Sydney was a city founded on rum. But today, it’s a city that runs on craft beer. Take a behind the scenes brewery tour, chat with the passionate brewers, discover historic pubs that have been brewing since the 1840s and sample one-of-a-kind beers you won’t find anywhere else.

The Inner West is Sydney’s craft beer heartland with more than a dozen breweries in the area, many within walking distance. Grab a tasting paddle at the no-frills Willie the Boatman, the artsy Young Henrys, dog-friendly Sauce Brewing Co, American-style Batch Brewing Co and the laneway Wayward Brewing. 

Taste your way around the city with a Darlo Dark, Paddo Pale or Potts Point Porter from Sydney Brewery in Surry Hills. Over the bridge, 4 Pines in Manly runs tours of the brewery every weekday and you can sample the full range at the brewpub upstairs. In The Rocks, Endeavour Tap Rooms has a small brewery on-site and eight rotating taps.

If you’d prefer to just drop in for a drink, many of the city’s pubs and bars have a good selection of craft on tap or in bottles. Try the Keg & Brew in Surry Hills, Harts Pub and The Lord Nelson in The Rocks, Bitter Phew and The Taphouse in Darlinghurst, or The Noble Hops in Redfern.

Don’t know your IPA from your pilsner? Take a tour and learn from the experts. Dave’s Brewery Tours runs half- and full-day tours. Or join a walking tour in The Rocks to learn about the history of Sydney over a beer at some of the country’s oldest pubs. Sydney Beer Week is an annual festival with events all across the city.