Country hospitality is on the pour at these top Orange watering holes.
The central NSW town of Orange is well aware that once visitors have spent the day traipsing through its rambling vines and sleek cellar doors, they’re eager to spend time unwinding fireside in an inviting pub, savouring their sips at a wine bar, or recounting their grape-derived discoveries in a sunny courtyard. Happily, the town is well-provisioned with plenty of establishments to close out the day, where the beer is cold, the food is beautifully made and the atmosphere is welcoming. Here’s our pick of the best places for a refreshing post-vineyard drink in Orange.
1. Hey Rosey
A place to cosy up to a good glass of vino, Hey Rosey is a petite wine bar that seats only 20 fellow sippers and serves small but significantly good eats from its non-kitchen.
There are vinyl records and mid-century furnishings all adding to the eclectic cool of this spot that pours and plates everything up on the small counter right in front of you.
The wine list leans local and, if you can’t decide, owner Leigh Oliver will happily point you in the direction of a new favourite.
2. Ferment the Orange Wine Centre
An Orange institution, Ferment is a one-stop introduction to the world of wine , beginning locally and expanding far beyond.
It’s a shop, cellar door and wine bar all wrapped up in a beautiful heritage building in the centre of town, but you needn’t book a guided tasting to enjoy their offerings, simply find a table indoors or out, order a cheese plate and select a wine by the glass or bottle.
If you fell head over heels for a drop but neglected to buy enough while there, simply jump online to restock and have it delivered to your door.
3. Birdie Noshery and Drinking Est
Relaxed yet refined, Birdie Noshery and Drinking Est is a Euro-style wine diner that gives equal attention to food and drinks. From the ladies behind the former Lolli Redini, which broke hearts when it closed, this iteration is equally well-tended, just with a more laidback vibe that promises to be all things to all people. It’s spacious, cool and simplified, mixing cocktails and a superb wine list with an easy all-day menu that takes diners from breakfast through to dinner and beyond six days a week.
4. The Union Bank
Direct yourself to The Union Bank for a courtyard session cloistered within this historic 165-year-old bank.
The Schoolhouse Restaurant is occupied by diners with reservations, but if you’re here for a well-chosen drink or perfectly stirred cocktail walk-ins are a must, so head outdoors from noon to soak up the ambience and the crisp Orange air.
If you’re peckish, you can also order from a share-style menu and hang about a little longer.
5. The Carriers Arms Hotel
Formerly the Kelly’s Rugby Hotel, this Orange pub has pivoted in style with a sophisticated lick of paint, some interior revamping and a more refined drinks list and menu to go along with its new name: The Carriers Arms Hotel . It’s still the spot for good times in the centre of town to meet for a beer and to catch a game, but its appeal has been greatly escalated thanks to classic pub grub finessed with a contemporary update and the addition of Mary Jane’s, an onsite diner serving fried chicken and burgers.
6. Hotel Canobolas
The iconic Hotel Canobolas in Orange , with its grand brick façade, is a welcoming place for a pint, a bite and even a bed. A country hotel that’s been given a contemporary buff, here you’ll find a casual bistro, a woodfired pizzeria, an open courtyard and 45 neat-and-tidy rooms all in the centre of town.
The bistro menu meanders from classic steaks and schnitzels to more Italian-inspired fare, such as king prawn spaghetti, burrata and salami plate, all of which can be paired with local, cool climate wines or a handful of drops plucked from the world beyond.
7. The Ophir Hotel
If you’re on the hunt for a watering hole where the kids are as entertained as the adults, set your GPS to The Ophir Hotel and point your small charges in the direction of the excellent outdoor playground.
Position yourself in one of the outdoor cabanas to watch over them as you enjoy an uninterrupted glass of beautiful local wine or craft beer and peruse the menu of usual pub suspects interspersed with a few outlying dishes, such as Nepalese curry, vegan plate and seafood risotto. There’s also a generously proportioned bistro and, if the weather is less than perfect, the kids will be content playing inside with the selection of games and toys.
8. The Metropolitan Hotel
While there’s a temptation to opt for the shiny and new, sometimes, all you really need is that good, old-fashioned country hospitality. The Metropolitan Hotel slides into the list for its unfussy, traditional country pub credentials. Right in the heart of town, this heritage hotel is largely unchanged, although a few updates here and there keep things fresh. It’s unpretentious, local and community-minded and you’ll always find a warm spot inside or at the all-weather Verandah Bistro.
For more ways to taste the region, read our guide to the top restaurants in Orange, start your day at the town’s best cafes and visit a brewery or distillery door.
