Our guide to the best pubs in Sydney right now ranges from classic grungy old boozers to gastropubs that have been given a reboot.

The best pubs in Sydney are those that cater to all comers with seriously good pub grub as well as cold beer. But the best Sydney pubs are not just top spots for a sneaky schooey. And they are not all located in Surry Hills! What constitutes a great pub is somewhere that doubles as a community hub where the promise of a casual catch-up over a cold beer draws people from all walks of life.

We’ve carved up our list to include the best pubs in Sydney’s north, south, east and west. And if you’re looking for something a bit more elevated, we’ve rounded up the best Sydney bars, too.

BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S INNER WEST
BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S EASTERN SUBURBS
BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S SOUTH AND SUTHERLAND SHIRE
BEST PUBS IN AND AROUND SYDNEY’S CBD
BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S WESTERN SUBURBS
BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S NORTHERN SUBURBS

BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S INNER WEST

Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre

There’s only one thing better than hearing Richie Benaud calling the cricket in the bathrooms at the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre . And that’s admiring the shrine to Hawkie in the back bar. Join your fellow lefties ogling the memorabilia including: a pair of broken glasses the former PM was wearing when a cricket ball hit him; and a photo of Hawkey wearing a pair of budgie smugglers. The pub is part brewery, part portal to the 1980s with its Lucky Prawn Chinese-Australian bistro making the Marrickville boozer one of Sydney’s best pubs. Check the What’s On page for rolling pop-ups and activations such as ‘Operation Sickie’ where punters get a 49 per cent discount if they can show a text to their boss calling in sick and a signed sick note from Hawkie himself.

Best for: Chugging a beer in honour of the late PM and talking politics.
Address: 8-12 Sydney Road, Marrickville.

The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room

Balmain’s oldest pub, established in 1857, The Dry Dock , was awarded ‘Pub of the Year’ in 2025. Have a friend in town you want to impress? Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Balmain Ferry Wharf and stroll through the historic Mort Bay Park to find this polished pub on prime Balmain real estate. The Dry Dock reopened in 2023 after a major transformation and has four distinct spaces: the refined Dining Room bistro and grill led by chef Ben Sitton; Public Bar, a vibrant setting with a relaxed atmosphere; the charming Lounge Bar; and a Sports Lounge for grown-ups. There’s also an award-winning 470-bottle wine list, which includes 37 by the glass.

Best for: Good food in a pokies-free environment.
Address: 22 Cameron St, Balmain

The Abercrombie Hotel

The Abercrombie – the Australian Hotel in a previous life – was recently revitalised by the Solotel Group to include multiple spaces designed for getting sweaty in a dance-off with your squad. The indie nightclub hosts underground acts like Carolina Gasolina, Myles Mac and DJ Possum and has a nightclub licensed to host 24-hour raves. Enjoy margy’s during happy hour in the public bar on the ground floor and head to the rooftop for views over the Chippendale skyline. The pub is also home to Bar Freda’s, which has DJs from Friday to Saturday. Only cool kids need apply.

Best for:  Music and creativity.
Address: 100 Broadway, Chippendale

Sackville Hotel

You might think you’ve stumbled onto a pub choir meet-up if you wander into the Sackville Hotel on the weekend when singer-songwriter Dan Mullins is playing. Mullins plays some classic pub tunes like Flame Trees and Sweet Caroline that everyone can sing along to. In addition to making friends with tipsy strangers, the Sacky has its old swagger back since opening the new Sports Bar, cordoned off behind a panel of stained glass. Head here for $3 oysters, craft beers and share-friendly snacks such as raw tuna, burrata and crispy eggplant parma.

Best for: The $30 pasta and wine night, already a neighbourhood ritual, and Sunday roast specials.
Address: 599 Darling St, Rozelle

The Golden Sheaf

The Golden Sheaf has two gears: neighbourhood local and full-throttle party palace. Upstairs, the rooftop draws a steady crowd of Double Bay darlings who gather here for late-afternoon drinks cause they know the DJ. Downstairs, the pub ticks along with live music, a solid drinks list and sports bar that fills to bursting when the Roosters are playing. The beer garden or rooftop are both great places to be on a sun-bleached summer’s day when $12 margaritas keep the vibes high. Sundays at the Sheaf are also a draw for families as kids eat free all day.

Best for: Rooftop parties and live music
Address: 42 9New South Head Road, Double Bay

The Belroy, St Leonards

The Belroy has a long history in St Leonards, where it has been pouring pints since 1882. While the bar itself is quite cosy, the al fresco dining area is expansive. The corner pub recently had a glow-up and the interiors look as sharp as its sunny exterior. Upstairs, the conservatory-style terrace is the North Shore’s new magnet for sundowners – blue leather banquettes, terrazzo tables, sun streaming through skylights, and a well-stocked bar. Downstairs, the Sports Bar delivers big-screen energy and proper pub grit. Expect tap beers, smart cocktails and a menu that jumps from bangers and mash to miso-glazed salmon. Pencil in weekday Happy Hour.

Best for: North Shore locals chasing a polished-but-playful pub night.
Address: 115–117 Chandos St, St Leonards

Nag’s Head Hotel

There’s nothing more exhilarating than inhaling one of the authentic Lancashire-style fish pies on offer at the Nag’s Head Hotel where the dish is bobbing with fresh white fish and a velvety bechamel sauce. The Glebe hotel, recently bought by Brickfield Hospitality, has other hearty classics, such as the spice bag, with fries, chicken and curry sauce. It’s worth the pilgrimage on the weekend for the Sunday Roast experience. The pub built in 1836 is divided into different spaces, with warm woods, cosy banquettes and artworks that look like they’ve been pilfered from a copy of Horse & Hound.

Best for: It’s the inner west so of course it caters for those with fur babies.
Address: 162 St Johns Road, Glebe

The Bat & Ball Hotel

Summer in Sydney means the cricket is on. And there’s perhaps no better place to watch Steve Smith sledge Jofra Archer than at this revived old boozer just a short wander from the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Bat & Ball has shaken off its identity crisis and returned to form: it’s still a bit 1920s, but also a bit rock and roll. There’s also a concise menu of sharp pub grub, a brand-new pool table and the kind of atmosphere that continues to pull in the hardcore locals, families and Aussies revelling in the victorious outcome after the latest Test series.

Best for: A pre-or post-match pint.
Address: 495 Cleveland St, Surry Hills

The Empire Hotel

The Empire Hotel has had a couple of nips and tucks since it was built in 1891. But its most recent refresh has reimagined the Inner West pub as a ‘dine inn’ destination with 21 newly refurbished rooms. The Empire Hotel strikes back with Double Happy , led by Linchpin Hospitality. The pub still has its Inner West regulars. But it’s now luring a new crowd thanks to the Chinese restaurant with its requisite red lanterns, beckoning ceramic cats and loud carpet. Dig into traditional dim sum or dumplings or more innovative options like BBQ pork pizza. The much-loved cosy corner hotel in Annandale has also upped the ante with Dale’s Pizza now open at the back of the Empire Hotel.

Best for: Sweet and sour pork and complimentary prawn crackers for the table.
Address: Corner of Parramatta Rd and Johnson St, Annandale

The Lansdowne

Binge-watch a few eps of the Landsdowne TV YouTube channel to see the most recent line-up at the landmark Lansdowne Hotel known for its epic roster of live music. Head here if you like a bit of scruff. The beloved beer-soaked boozer long known for being a live-music stronghold also serves up spicy deliciousness at onsite eatery The Happy Mexican. Grab an ice-cold tinnie and head upstairs to the playful rooftop where you can watch the city get its glow on before the amps fire up downstairs. The Lansdowne is equal parts nostalgia and new-school energy. A proper Sydney pub experience.

Best for: Uni students and creative types into live music and authentic Mexican fare.
Address: 2-6 City Road, Chippendale

The Courthouse

You know you’ve had a great night when it starts or ends at The Courthouse in Taylor Square. The pub is the perfect pit stop for those exploring some of Sydney’s major attractions. It’s within walking distance of Hyde Park, Centennial Park and Sydney Harbour. The pub is on the parade route for Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and in position for the Taylor Square Takeover. The pub also has plenty more to offer on either side of the annual LGBTQI+  festival. Unwind with friends in the public bar. Or head upstairs to the cosy bistro for pub classics such as chicken schnitzels or falafel burgers.

Best for: The Courthouse is in prime position to view the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Address: 189 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

Sydney Brewery Rozelle

Sydney Brewery Rozelle is a brewpub with great bones. The Brewery has taken over a 150-year-old steel mill in Rozelle and turned it into a buzzing, industrial-chic local with gleaming tanks at its heart. Visit the working brewery when it’s in full swing to find families gathered around communal tables enjoying pizzas, salads and brewpub classics paired with beers and ciders. It’s the Inner West so expect to see dogs lazing under the tables and kids playing games. During the footy season, the Rozelle brewpub becomes a hub for the ‘Tiger Town’ community.

Best for: The unified roar of disappointment as devoted Tigers fans get behind their team during footy season.
Address: 26B Mansfield Street, Rozelle

The Marrickville Hotel

The Marrickville Hotel is housed in a former $2 shop and teeters on the edge of being a low-fi pub and small bar. The sepia-toned small pub bar has a large jungle courtyard, rough-hewn walls and ceiling and walls lined with framed photographs. The backstory behind the moniker is that it’s a nod to a neighbourhood pub that used to trade under the same name but was deregistered in 1979. These days, the Marrickville Hotel is a place to listen to great tunes and speak fondly about how righteous your suburb is. It’s a convivial hang that feels like an extension of some locals’ living rooms. There are six tap beers on offer with tinnies from local brewers. And killer toasties and charcuterie plates.

Best for: A place of worship in Sydney’s inner west
Address: 244 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

The Forest Lodge Hotel

The Forest Lodge Hotel is the sort of place where you could easily lose an entire afternoon. Here, the inked-up staff welcome all comers. Expect arty lecturers and random eccentrics. A rabble of uni students and a clot of 20-something travellers dressed like Peaky Blinders. Do order the Portuguese chicken burger, which is rich and dripping with peri peri sauce, slathered with coriander mayo, layered with lettuce and served with crisp, fluffy fries. The salmon poke bowl is also superb, with the cucumber, cherry tomato and avocado salad the perfect nest for a delicate slab of salmon. Don’t try to be someone you’re not: order the Toblerone cheesecake with popping candy for afters.

Best for: Weekly pool play-offs with the family.
Address: 117 Arundel Street, Forest Lodge

The Duke of Enmore

Whack on some pink lippie, the one the colour of a pomegranate, so your pout pops while posing with your pooch at The Duke of Enmore . The much-loved Inner West pub is a stalwart of Enmore Road, proudly pokie-free and dog-friendly, too. For the past five years, the pub has been under the leadership of the Odd Culture Group. See bands like Choof and Slaughtercult or pick a banger and belt it out onstage with live band karaoke. The menu caters to those feeling a tad dusty. Order the woodfired pizza laden with salami, hot honey and mozzarella or the anchovy and courgette number.

Best for: Fans of groove metal.
Address: 148 Enmore Road, Enmore

Marlborough Hotel

The Marlborough Hotel , known locally as The Marly, has been doing its thing since 1860. And while ‘that thing’ might have evolved over the years, these days it almost certainly includes live music. The pub is right in position in the heart of Newtown luring in late-night party people who are literally at a crossroads about where to go next. Upstairs, the menu at Fat Belly Jack’s runs the gamut from the Classic Schnittie to Chipotle Chook and Le Fancy Smash Burger. Downstairs, Tokyo Sing Song is one of Sydney’s most eclectic late-night party rooms where performance artists sweat it out in the best possible way.

Best for: Making mems with the flatties on Taco Tuesday.
Address:  145 King St, Newtown

Red Lion Hotel

Part of the joy at Red Lion Hotel can be found in the variety of choices on offer. Celebrity chef Manu Feildel, of My Kitchen Rules, is behind the new French Bistro Red Lion by Manu at the pub, which has been a fixture in Rozelle since 1828. The downstairs bar, open-plan lounge and dining area also has a new look after the recent $1.5 million reno. Upstairs is where you will find the home-style fare Manu grew up eating in Brittany with classics such as a decadent pâté, scallop gratinée, chargrilled pork tomahawk and much-loved matelote (fish stew). You can also enjoy casual Aussie pub grub in the lounge, which has a roaring fireplace in winter.

Best for: Cocooning yourself downstairs around the working fireplace in winter; sitting on the verandah in summer.
Address: 726 Darling St, Rozelle

The Montague Hotel

Marrickville has a new local, which aims to be all things to all people. The old Ritz pub has transformed into The Montague Hotel , affectionately dubbed The Monty. Downstairs, the old-school venue remains. And it’s designed to suit everyone from local families to tradies enjoying a few TGIF schooies and schnitties and sports fans cheering on their favourite team. Upstairs is an entirely different vibe and tribe. Harriet’s is being billed by Public House Management Group as a shape-shifting playground that starts with long lunches and cocktails at golden hour and morphs into a party palace with DJs and disco balls. Bad Harriet’s also takes things up a notch on Saturdays when Harriet’s alter ego cuts loose and the space morphs into a fast and loose late-night lounge.

Best for: An unpretentious and impromptu gatho.
Address: 252-254 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S EASTERN SUBURBS

The White Horse

The White Horse has quietly pulled off one of summer’s slickest level-ups, vaulting itself back into water-cooler conversations about the best pubs in Sydney. Slide into the new street-front seats at the Surry Hills stalwart for golden-hour cocktails and clever snacks. Expect dishes that deliver from the hatted restaurant such as WA rock lobster stuffed pappardelle, with a miso broth and bisque foam. Or Clarence River whiting with capers and herb aioli. Look for the iconic statue of the white horse on the rooftop of the posh pub, which has been divided into a restaurant and public bar that spills into an outdoor terrace.

Best for: The $55 four-course lunch special where you can loosen the reins over a few stiff drinks.
Address: 381 Crown St, Surry Hills

Coogee Bay Hotel

Coogee is a draw for backpackers so the dress code in the sprawling beer garden of the Coogee Bay Hotel is suitably pedestrian chic. Think pretty, summery dresses. And Euro-chic jorts and jandals. The warmer weather rouses Sydneysiders to flock to the beaches. Head down to the beach for a swim and then drift back to one of the tables at the pub’s newly launched Beach Bar & Dining. The bright, breezy new restaurant led by chef Justin Schott (ex-Mimis) is a frisbee throw from the twinkling sea. Enjoy share platters of oysters, tostadas, pizzas and burgers. Crab and mussel rigatoni with white wine. Or pan-roasted salmon with beetroot Russian salad. The signature coconut and yuzu margarita is a must.

Best for: Enjoying the high ratio of Euro eye candy at the family-friendly pub established in 1873.
Address: 253 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee

Woolly Bay Hotel

With all due respect to the signage out front, the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel is simply the #woollybayhotel . The pub has undergone a creative transformation at the hands of Laundy Hotels and it’s the perfect distillation of the heritage pub’s spirit. Head upstairs to Arturo’s Rooftop for Mediterranean-style share plates and expertly crafted cocktails served in a very civilised environment that makes it one of the city’s best rooftop bars. Downstairs has more of an old drinking den vibe with a short wine list and rotating roster of beers on tap. There are also inventive pizzas such as the chilli garlic prawn and pub classics such as the fried chicken burger on a voluptuous milk bun.

Best for: Simple pub classics served with attention to detail.
Address: 2 Bourke St, Woolloomooloo

Penny’s Hotel

Penny’s Hotel in Pott’s Point tips its hat to a local legend: a sex worker-turned-street angel who looked after the homeless around what is now known as Penny’s Lane. These days, the people’s pub of Potts Point carries on that community spirit serving as a hub for locals who hustle in from Bayswater Road’s neon-lit strip for cold beers and inventive cocktails. Think midweek pizza and $15 cocktails with Tipsy Trivia, charity meat raffles on Thursdays and every code of sport blasting from the tellies in the dedicated sports bar. Friendly, and rowdy in the right way and oh-so Kings Cross.

Best for: T-Bone Tuesdays and trivia with a few cocktails on the side.
Address: 9-15 Bayswater Road, Potts Point

The Royal Hotel

This princely four-storey pub dating back to 1888 stands guard over the Five Ways in Paddo. Look up and you will likely see the verandah stacked with people. Wander in at street level and you’ll find locals parked at the front bar talking footy and horses over pints of pale ale. Climb one floor for terrazzo, patterned wallpaper and cocktails in the Verandah Bar and Balcony, which is a sumptuous backdrop for your special occasion. Or keep heading up to the rooftop for city glimpses and spritzes. The sports bar at The Royal has a TV wall that is the biggest in the Eastern Suburbs. Expect linen-clad couples, chaps in chinos talking about their last game of polo, and racing royalty making a night of it over beloved classics like the LPs Hot Dog and Royal Burger.

Best for: $20 steak frites every Wednesday, from lunchtime.
Address: 237 Glenmore Road, Paddington

The Lord Dudley

Google ‘great English-style pubs in Sydney’ and the Lord Dudley Hotel will top your search list. This Eastern Suburbs institution has been going strong since 1889 and is one of the best pubs in Sydney for poms who are pining for home. The pub is a must for classics such as fish ‘n’ chips, bangers and mash and lamb’s fry and bacon. Don’t miss out on the perennially popular old-fashioned pork pie served cold with Branston pickle and mustard. Tradition mingles with nostalgia in the downstairs dining area, which has had a refresh. Head to the family-run pub in winter to gather around the fireplace. Or bring your doggo and sit on the footpath with a pint and pork pie in the summer.

Best for: Ping-pong poms who are trying to decide whether to stay in Australia or return home.
Address: 236 Jersey Road, Woollahra

The Old Fitzroy Hotel

The ever-inclusive Odd Culture Group became stewards of the Old Fitz in 2021. And while there might have been a few grumbles when the news first broke, the hospitality group has done Woolloomooloo locals proud. Indeed, the vibe of the pub that has operated for more than 150 years remains intact. The Old Fitz is still home to Australia’s only pub theatre and remains one of the cosiest pubs in Sydney. The upstairs dining room has had a facelift and so has the menu with dishes such as the twice-fried frites, Scotch egg, and wagyu cheeseburger that keeps locals coming back. Saucy.

Best for: Spotting A-list actors who often make cameos here to workshop their next Netflix series.
Address: 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo.

Woollahra Hotel

Head to Vinnies in Paddington to upgrade your wardrobe so you look the part when you make your pilgrimage to this iconic Sydney pub. Nothing is more exhilarating than feeling your best when wandering around the Woollahra Hotel , pint in hand, meeting locals who greet you like old friends. Listen closely for the soft melodious dialect of luvvies from the Eastern Suburbs who hold court here and add to the lively chatter. At Woollahra Hotel, there’s pan-Asian pub food on offer and diverse dining spaces to choose from. Check the weekly specials such as $20 Steak & Chips. The Art Deco pub, all timber and terrazzo, is next door to the sister restaurant, the renowned Bistro Moncur, one of the best French restaurants in Sydney.

Best for: A Sunday sesh with $15 frozen margaritas and live music downstairs in The Front Bar from 2pm.
Address: 116 Queen St, Woollahra

Hotel Ravesis

Expect the music at Hotel Ravesis to be on point as it’s led by operational owner Aya Larkin, lead singer of alt-funk band Skunkhour. The pub is in prime position on the corner of Campbell Parade and Hall St where it is emblematic of the laid-back vibe of the beachside suburb. The venue has been restored to its former Art Deco glory: the interiors are a synthesis of Miami meets Mediterranean with arched doorways, marble and wood balanced with a retro palette of flamingo pinks, denim blues and jungle greens. Soak up the seaside vibes upstairs at the new Spanish restaurant Alzado .

Best for: Those looking for a ‘Dine Inn’  where they can call the Bondi hotel home for the night.
Address: 118 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Taphouse

Sydney has a lot of microbreweries and there are more than 20 beers on tap here as well as a wine list that favours small-batch producers. The three-level corner pub in Darlinghurst gives ‘holiday in Ibiza vibes’ with its reimagined rooftop blending vintage charm with modern Mediterranean touches such as the custom beach umbrellas and a beach-inspired colour palette. The effortlessly cool atmosphere of the Taphouse is reflected by the Darlo demographic. There’s a classic but classy Cantonese menu curated by Applejack Director of Culinary Patrick Friesen and Chef Erick Djap, and weekly specials such as the $16 hawk chop that cements its status as one of the best pubs in Sydney.

Best for: This is one of the best pubs in Sydney for its Sunday Shenanigans .
Address: 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst

The Light Brigade

The Light Brigade has been a beacon for beer connoisseurs since the 1880s. This atmospheric ale house is craft beer heaven for hopheads who converge here for the range of up to 30 beers on tap as well as elevated pub food. Literally. The beloved landmark hotel spans four levels and has a rooftop bar that is one of Sydney’s best, some 83 metres above sea level. Meals are served in the Brigade Lounge, Rooftop and Bistro. And the food, wine and ambience all make for a unique Sydney pub experience. The iconic Light Brigade pub in Woollahra reopened in 2024 and it has gone up in the world with Italian-inspired dishes like woodfired pizzas and pappardelle carbonara.

Best for: Those who hate the beach and want a Miami pool club vibe minus crumbs of sand in crevices.
Address: Corner of Oxford St and Jersey Rd, Woollahra.

Hotel Harry

It takes a while for the eyes to adjust when you enter the 1912-built Victorian building that is now Hotel Harry. Once they do, what you’ll find is an absolutely epic place to get a stiff drink and decent feed with an eclectic Cuba meets Los Cabos decor worth coveting. Hotel Harry is everything you could ever want from an inner-east Sydney pub. There are chuggable beers on tap. A dangerous selection of cocktails. And the best French rotisserie rolls this side of the 7th arrondissement. There is a cosy back bar giving Costa Rica jungle vibes. A fireplace. And an intimate upstairs terrace. Don’t invite that grinch from work. It’s good vibes only at Hotel Harry.

Best for: Date night when you’re not looking your best as the lighting is very flattering. You can also ‘get a room’.
Address: 40-44 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

The Forrester’s

The Forrester’s has been going strong since 1921. The pub operated by Applejack Hospitality since 2020 remains on the radar for those in need of refreshment in Surry Hills. And while Forry’s is best known for its generous roast dinners, it’s the accompanying Big Yorkie crafted by culinary director Patrick Friesen that has put Forry’s on the map. Available daily until sold out, the giant Yorkshire pudding serves as an edible dish. It is filled with meltingly tender roasted meat, fresh-cooked veg and crisp potatoes surrounded by a moat of gravy.  Additionally, the daily Bottomless Lunch includes a variety of small and large sharing plates.

Best for: Forry’s is dog-friendly and welcomes pups throughout the entire venue.
Address: 336 Riley St, Surry Hills

Clovelly Hotel

This is one of Sydney’s best pubs for a booze-up by the beach. It’s a short stroll away from the Bondi to Coogee coastal path and a top spot to enjoy Sydney’s famously bluebird weather. The cocktail menu at The Cloey includes fun bevvies like the Beach Bum – which you’ll see a lot of down at Bondi – and there is a great selection of local Sydney beers on tap. Food-wise, expect all the requisite pub classics such as the spicy prawn pizza, buffalo wings and chicken schnitty sangas. The Cloey has been drawing big crowds consistently for decades and its stylish reboot has made it even more of a lure. If you spend an extended time in Sydney without visiting the Cloey then that’s an epic fail.

Best for: Harried parents who need a night off the pans.
Address: 381 Clovelly Road, Clovelly.

The Clock

Trawl the Surry Hills Markets for vintage high-waisted jeans before heading into Mousey Browne to make sure your curly mullet looks the goods. You know what you’re going to get at The Clock and that’s comforting. Upon entering, you might be ushered into The Whisky Room at The Clock where it’s highly likely you will lose all track of time. The two-storey pub has a wraparound verandah so you can heckle and hoot at your mates trudging past. The Clock is one of the best pubs in Surry Hills for its corner location. It’s also on point for its burgers, schnitzels and a sick selection of craft beer. Check the menu for specials such as the prawn po-boys.

Best for: The Clock deserves our devotion on game day as it’s a short stroll away from Allianz Stadium.
Address: 470 Crown Street, Surry Hills

The Dolphin Hotel

The Dolphin Hotel is housed in a charming early 1900s Federation-style building in Surry Hills. And it’s got a vibe worth bottling thanks to artistic interpretation of the space by interior architect George Livissianis and the fact it’s always packed with happy regulars. The pub is segmented into different sections, so you can keep things intimate or be part of the crowd. Enjoy linguini and a lager in the Dining Room. Work through the cocktails on the Terrace. Or head upstairs for a four cheese and hot honey pizza.

Best for: People-watching at a table on the footpath.
Address: 412 Crown St, Surry Hills

The Paddo Inn

Pick your poison and take up a perch near the cut-out window at The Paddo Inn where you can watch the hip hordes hustling up the hill toward the best boutiques in Paddo. The Paddo Inn has perked up since it had a makeover more than a decade ago, but the real estate of the pub established in 1814 remains priceless. People treat a weekend visit to The Paddo Inn a bit like church. Frock up so you feel fancy before coming to pay your respects at the watering hole. The interiors of the inn celebrate the classic Sydney terrace house with the front bar funnelling guests through to the much-loved Il Baretto out back. The pub is a short walk from the SCG so go on game day to yell at your favourite team on the big screen.

Best for: The Paddo Inn bar menu is curated by the chefs at Il Baretto. For the full Il Baretto experience, book the restaurant.
Address: 338 Oxford St, Paddington.

BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S SOUTH AND SUTHERLAND SHIRE

BrewDog

BrewDog’s Sydney outpost has found its feet in South Eveleigh, where the former locomotive workshops lend a raw, industrial edge to the cavernous brewpub. There are 40 taps pouring everything from BrewDog classics to local collaborations and the crowd skews artfully scruffy once the sun dips in the sky. Froth on a pint, stay for the burgers and loaded fries and don’t be surprised if you make some new mates. It’s not on the inner-west ale trail, as it’s in the inner south, but it’s worth including in a guide to the best pub crawls in Sydney.

Best for: Vegetarians who will appreciate that 50 per cent of the menu is plant-based.
Address: Bay 1, Locomotive Workshops, South Eveleigh

Parc Pavilion, Cronulla

Forget sticky carpets and sodden beer mats. Parc Pavilion is a sophisticated multi-venue gathering place where you can dress down or up. Join locals sipping on cocktails and craft beer and bounce between Mr Monro, Parc Bistro, The Terrace and Call Me Mamma Italian eatery on a whim. Sydneysiders are loving the fact the Parc Pavilion is about 10 steps from Cronulla Train Station. The menus curated by culinary director Jamie Gannon have Mediterranean accents. And, like all venues run by Feros Group, who have the Taren Point Hotel, Highfield and Prince Hotel, to name a few, it’s the sort of place you can take everyone from your footie-loving mates to your family. Download the Feros Group app to take advantage of discounted dining.

Best for: Drifting from the train to the front door of the pub and not having to drive.
Address: 138 Cronulla Street, Cronulla

The Erko

The Erko is a proper community pub. The sort that feels anchored to the community and the neighbourhood. The drinks list champions local craft beer and the menu delivers pub classics like parmies, steaks and burgers. Sports fans are also catered to with big screens showing your favourite games and positioned around the pub so you can still find places to have a pint and a proper chat. This temple to tipples and a good time has a roster of entertainment from Drag Bingo to live music with the Bistro Disco. The dog-friendly pub also has accommodation.

Best for: A pub meal in the beer garden.
Address: 102 Erskineville Road, Erskineville

Bangor Tavern

Our investigations into best pubs for families in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire leads us to the Bangor Tavern . The pub, owned by Adam and Kylie Micola, of Bobbys Cronulla, recently underwent a transformation led by design studio Tom Mark Henry. And it’s serving Mediterranean with its pops of terracotta and beach umbrellas. The beverage program has been carefully curated by Alex Cameron (ex-Franca, Parlar and Armorica) with a concise list of Australian varietals and top drops from around the globe. The reimagined tavern has also launched a new Italian restaurant, Robertos, with chicken parmigiana, and pizzas such as the piccantissima with tomato, hot salami and fior di latte given a wallop with Calabrese chilli.

Best for: Letting the kids get their wiggles out in the playground while you enjoy a bit of adult time.
Address: 121 Yala Road, Bangor

The Prince Kirrawee

The Prince typically attracts families taking advantage of its regular Two-for-One deals on dinner as the Feros Group Rewards Program makes eating out more affordable during the #cossylivs crisis. The family picnic area and kids’ play area are also a draw. The new(ish) pub has a little bit of everything for everyone, making it a hub for Sutherland Shire locals. There’s a modern bistro, one of the largest beer gardens in Sydney’s southern suburbs, a lounge bar with 25 beers on tap and a line-up of live music. There’s also a packed roster of entertainment from drag bingo to themed trivia nights and a bottomless lunch offer, too. The Prince also has a newly renovated sports bar so sporting tragics can catch all the action on the big screen.

Best for: Big family gatherings as the menu includes a whole spit-roast pig option for smaller functions.
Address: 533-541 Princes Hwy

Highfield

Highfield is a posh public house for Sutherland Shire locals who are a bit parochial about leaving Sydney’s southern suburbs. It’s fair to say they are onto a good thing at Highfield which is run by the Feros Group, who are behind hospitality venues scattered between Shellharbour and Cronulla. Head to hidden-away Huxley’s , which is all dude food and Americana diner decor. Enjoy cocktails on the terrace after enjoying lunch at The Botanical. Or plump for the Public House, a sports bar where all the big sporting events – from the Superbowl to Test Cricket – are screened and there are live bands and DJs.

Best for: Good vibes and consistently good pub grub.
Address: 22-24 Mackay St, Caringbah

Northies

You might feel like you’re at a casting call for MAFS Season 12 when you rock up at Northies on a Sunday arvo. Find a nook tucked into a corner of Northie’s where the pub’s ode to Old Joe’s flows as an undercurrent around the Sibella Court-designed space. Order the chicken parmie, which arrives blanketed with a cheesy sheen and generous salad on the side. We love the electric brightness of the signage in the main bar, and the family-friendly feel of the freewheeling bistro. There are so many bleached blonde mullets and dirty moustaches that the space feels like a time capsule to Cronulla in its Puberty Blues era.

Best for: Giving due respect to Cronulla as a destination to rival Manly and Bondi.
Address: Kingsway &, Elouera Rd, Cronulla

Engadine Tavern

Soccer mums and dads were stoked when the Feros Group reopened the Engadine Tavern after extensive renovations. It’s the only pub in the Sutherland Shire suburb. And they do a roaring trade in pub lunches year-round, but especially post-soccer match during the season. Grilled chicken tenders, mini burgers, kids’ pasta and Hawaiian pizzas are just some of the menu options that keep members of the Engadine Eagles soccer club happy. The tables in the bistro also fill fast for BBQ pork ribs, prawn linguine and chicken schnitzel. Check the website for what’s on – from trivia nights to live music. Expect a solid wine list and craft brews.

Best for: Taking nan for one of the special seniors’ meal deals.
Address: 50 Station St, Engadine

BEST PUBS IN AND AROUND SYDNEY’S CBD

Verandah Bar

Ask where you should go for a steak sanga in Sydney’s CBD and chances are you’ll be pointed in the direction of the Verandah Bar in Sydney’s CBD. Set aside a solid amount of time to tackle the sourdough steak sandwich stuffed with tender sirloin, tomato, beetroot, rocket, caramelised onion and Swiss cheese. Billed as ‘pub fare with flair’ the Public at Verandah and Verandah Bar make up the beating heart of the Verandah Precinct. Head here for handcrafted cocktails, 14 beers on tap and refreshing spritzers while watching sport on the big screens.

Best for: A catch-up with your corporate mates who like to loosen the cravat after work.
Address: Best for 55-65 Elizabeth St, Sydney

The Bristol

Forget taxidermy and fusty carpet. The Bristol Arms has had a reboot, reinvented as The Bristol by creative director Paul Papadopolous of DS17. While the late-night boozer was once best known for its retro dance parties, The Bristol has evolved into somewhat of a club for corporates and city dwellers who want to eat dinner and then let their hair down. At a glance, the multi-faceted pub (formerly a waterhole for wharfies) includes a sleek Public Bar & Sports Bar, Midtown Bar and The Rooftop, one of the best new bars for city views in Sydney. There’s also Calypso, a nightclub featuring 200 glittering disco balls, and elegant Ela Ela by Peter Conistis, which demonstrates Sydney is a long way from hitting peak Greek.

Best for: A midtown meet-up with your expat mates.
Address: 81 Sussex St, Sydney

The Sussex

The Sussex Hotel’s new rooftop bar has prised open a new bit of sky in Sydney. Look up from the street and you’ll spy pops of juicy orange hues from the umbrellas that provide shade to pub patrons who prefer their bevvies way up high. The Sussex is said to have Sydney’s largest beer garden. Test the theory by measuring its circumference and then settling into this inner-city oasis with a Garden Spritz and a coupla skewers with green goddess dressing. Hungry for more? Head to the restaurant Suriya for a Thai banquet. Avoid the surge pricing on Uber and walk back up the road to Wynyard Station to feel even more smug about your big city life.

Best for: A pub crawl that is conveniently located near public transport.
Address: 20 Sussex St, Sydney.

BEST PUBS NEAR SYDNEY  HARBOUR

The Squire’s Landing

Few pubs can compete with The Squire’s Landing when it comes to location. Sitting right on the waterfront at Circular Quay, the pub is one of the best places for a brew with a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge. The pub is Australia’s flagship James Squire Brewhouse and perennially packed with a mix of locals and visitors who converge here for happy hour between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays. The lunch specials are also a lure where $25 will get you a chicken schnitzel, crispy fish tacos, rigatoni pasta or an Angus beef burger.

Best for: Drinking in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Address: Northern end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay, The Rocks

Fortune of War

Sydney’s oldest pub has re-emerged after a major revamp and is suddenly back on every ‘best pubs in Sydney’ hit list. Step off the cobblestoned Globe St to find the Fortune of War , which still wears its past proudly in its creaky, memorabilia-packed main bar. The 19th-century building also features Bistro 1828, a new all-day dining room that leans into the pub’s heritage charm with its beaten copper, warm timbers and artefacts pulled from the site’s hospital past. There’s also a menu of beef-and-Guinness stew, fish and chips and pubby pastas. Want to banter with the Barmy Army? This is the spot.

Best for: Enjoying a cold one in a living museum before or after enjoying a wander around The Rocks.
Address: 137 George St, The Rocks

Darling Pavilion

Whether you are looking for a relaxed catch-up with the girls or are hoping for an IRL meet-cute, this airy pavilion-style pub is a crowd-pleaser. Darling Pavilion is a not-so-hidden gem on the fringes of Darling Quarter. And while it’s known for its bottomless brunches it also has a simple and concise menu of gastro pub grub such as chicken schnitzel parmigiana, crisp-skinned salmon, spicy pepperoni pizza and 12-hour BBQ brisket sandwiches. Sit outside on a sunny day and watch people pootling past the restaurant and the oh-so-charming waiters wheeling around between tables. The pav also has a roster of live music, DJs and live sport.

Best for: A bottomless brunch with the girls.
Address: 1 Harbour St, Sydney

Pumphouse Sydney

This former pumphouse turned pub was built back in 1891 by the Sydney & Suburban Hydraulic Power Company. And the multi-faceted venue presents like something from a show-and-tell of Sydney’s past and present, both of which are woven into the two-storey space. Pumphouse Sydney is in the heart of Darling Square, one of Sydney’s buzzy new precincts. Grab your gal pals and sit on The Terrace, a lush oasis filled with trailing greenery and flower-filled vases. Or meet the lads for a lunch of Mortadella Madness flatbread. Plan your evening around what’s on at the Pumphouse Sydney, one of the best old-meets-new pubs in Syd Angeles.

Best for: Sea Life Specials – cocktails that go toward the Sea Life Trust foundation to preserve our oceans.
Address: 17 Little Pier St, Darling Harbour

BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S WESTERN SUBURBS

The Albion

Plenty of Sydney pubs welcome dogs. But not all of them host a dedicated dog day. Dogs are welcome in the leafy beer garden at the Parramatta pub where there are water bowls strategically placed around the communal tables. It’s the kind of pub where all the dog owners bond over beer and their shared passion for pooches. Get your sausage dog sidekick kitted out with custom apparel for the pub’s annual Dog Day Out where there are shameless photo ops for the poochie paparazzi. Fill your pockets with Smackos and indulge in a few cocktails on a reggae-soaked Sunday sesh.

Best for: Dog people who like their pubs filled with pooches and personality.
Address: 135 Geroge St, Parramatta.

Mullane’s Hotel

Sydney offers endless opportunities to be a tourist in your own town. And the Mullane Hotel’s location in the Hills District inspires a jaunt outside your postcode. Head to the Baulkham Hills pub for its blindingly good food (mortadella mousse with crisps anyone?) and solid selection of drinks. Forget suss sticky carpet and sodden beer mats. This pub is the sister venue to Sophie’s and has an open-plan layout that keeps it light and bright. Don’t have the bandwidth for small talk? Find a piece of plush furniture in the corner of the pub and watch live sport on your Pat Malone (alone).

Best for: Settling in upstairs for salami croquettes followed by fusilli with beef Bolognaise.
Address: 36 Brookhollow Ave, Baulkham Hills

The Guildford

The Guildford reopened in 2024 after a significant revamp. And Western Sydney locals could not be happier. The pub has long been a hub for the vibrant multicultural community and a popular place for sports fanatics to gather. The pub is the official partner of the Greater Western Sydney podcast, They Might Become Giants, which transforms the venue into a fan hub for each away game. The pub is your go-to for everything from group celebrations to cocktails and nibbles on date night.  Lock in a spot in The Lounge, on the Cocktail Booths or Bistro Banquet Seating.

Best for: A staycation: stay in a cosy single room or spacious suite upstairs.
Address: 309 Guildford Road, Guildford

Crossroads Hotel

The Crossroads reopened after an extensive renovation in 2025 that transformed it into one of the best pubs in Sydney’s western suburbs. The beloved Casula pub is now a powerhouse with its state-of-the-art sports bar, and playground where kids can run around between courses. The dishes revolve around top-notch pub fare – lamb souvlaki skewers, wood-fired pizzas, salads and chicken wings with spicy buffalo hot sauce. And there’s a gelato cart for kiddies, too. The storied pub was established in about 1833 at the crossroads of Hume Highway and Camden Valley Road. These days, instead of arriving by stagecoach, you’re more likely rolling in behind the wheel of your EV.

Best for: Pulling off the highway while you’re road-tripping to Canberra.
Address: Cnr Hume Highway and Camden Valley Way, Casula

The Governor Hotel

The Governor Hotel is a thoroughly modern take on what constitutes a great pub in 2025. Catch the metro to Macquarie Park to get to The Governor in the heart of Sydney’s northwest. The so-called super pub incorporates a garden terrace, bistro and large rooftop bar made bright with wall art and hanging greenery. The interiors at The Governor also enchant with a mix of eucalyptus and terracotta hues and a soaring portrait of the pub’s namesake Governor Macquarie. Don’t even think about leaving before ordering the build-your-own bao buns and a few things on sticks from the Asian-skewed menu. This is exactly the kind of venue Sydney’s suburbs need.

Best for: Large groups who catch the courtesy bus from the surrounding apartment blocks
Address: 9 Waterloo Road, Macquarie Park

The Log Cabin

Originally founded in 1826 as a rest stop for weary travellers, The Log Cabin has morphed into a thoroughly modern inn. While the impetus for expansion and subsequent $24 million renovation was the devastating fire that destroyed the building in 2012, Laundy Hotels has done a top job in keeping the pub’s spirit alive as a cornerstone of the Penrith community. Head to Regatta Bar for classic pub fare, to the spacious dog-friendly outdoor deck to watch the sunset over the Nepean River and beer garden with the ‘Loggie Train’ play area for kids. Head chef Lauren McKenna is committed to curating menus that respect the seasons.

Best for: Sydneysiders who appreciate hearty pub classics prepared with care.
Address: 20 Memorial Avenue, Penrith

The Bella Vista Hotel

Are you fantasising about starting a podcast about pubs? Kill two birds with one stone at Bella Vista Hotel where you can sink a few schooners for research and then record content for your new pub poddy. The Hills Podcast Studio is free to hire seven days a week. But there’s a lot to dazzle here that might get in the way of your mic drop. The entertainment venue in The Hills District hosts everything from long lunches to high teas, trivia, bingo and live entertainment. Bella Vista also has a pizzeria that doles out metre-long pizzas with Italian-Australian toppings such as ham and pineapple (don’t judge us; it’s delicious). Be it a spritzer on a sunshine day or sticky chicken wings while watching the Super Bowl play-offs, it’s time to head for the Hills.

Best for: Sports fanatics who want to tune into one of the 97 flatscreen TVs while cheering on their team.
Address: 13-15 Lexington Drive, Bella Vista

BEST PUBS IN SYDNEY’S NORTHERN SUBURBS

Felons Manly

Celebrate the art of brewing at this brewery pub that began life at Howard Smith Wharves under the Story Bridge in Brisbane. Felons also got its talons into Manly with a new microbrewery and just-opened Barrel Room, a beacon for visitors arriving to Manly via the ferry. While the focus at Felons Manly is on barrel-aged beers poured fresh from the tank, the ingredient-led menu devised by executive chef Graeme Hunt celebrates barrel-aged beer and live music. Expect sun-kissed locals, weekend wanderers, and families pouring in before their return ferry ride to Circular Quay for Vietnamese cuisine at Saigon Supper Inn led by chef Bao La.

Best for: Big crowds; the 700-capacity venue has a stage, bars and seating for more than 300 diners in the Barrel Room as well as an additional two indoor bars, jetty bar, stage and beer garden.
Address: E Esplanade, Manly Wharf, Manly

Dee Why Hotel

Dee Why Hotel has stepped back into the spotlight after a $3 million revamp. Meals at the retro-inspired pub, which presents like something out of an ‘80s fever dream, are best enjoyed in Jade’s, the  greenhouse-inspired bistro drawing on a palette of eucalyptus greens. The sports bar has been revived as Mr B’s where patrons can watch their favourite teams clash on a 10-metre TV wall. The transformed main bar is giving Neapolitan ice cream, dipped in soft pinks with rich wood panelling and terracotta and chocolate tones. Go for char-grilled skewers, stone-baked pizzas and elevated pub classics along with signature sips such as Jade’s with bourbon, St-Germain, honey syrup, lemon and pomegranate.

Best for: The Best burgers on the Northern Beaches.
Address: 834 Pittwater Road, Dee Why

Harbord Hotel, Freshwater

The best pubs in Sydney’s northern beaches are those with expansive views of sky, sand and sea. Harbord Hotel in Freshwater looks like it’s been plucked from an almanac of ‘The World’s Best Beachfront Pubs’. And while Manly is certainly on tourists’ radars, its near neighbour Freshwater tends to fly under the radar. And that’s how the locals like it. Harbord Hotel wears its laid-back beach-chic attitude as loosely as a mesh cover-up from Cotton On. Head to the Freshwater Beach House for the Burger, Wings & Balter bundle on Wednesdays. Catch live acts such as The Stafford Brothers and Homegrown. Or go for Tuesday Trivia.

Best for: Surfers and those who enjoy a sundowner by the sea.
Address: 29 Moore Road, Freshwater

The Crows Nest Hotel

The Crows Nest Hotel is looking the goods after its $1.6 million makeover. Sydneysiders looking to shake things up are making the pilgrimage to Sydney’s Lower North Shore to visit The Crowie, as it’s affectionately known, for its line-up of live DJs and bands. The pub has debuted its new dedicated dining area where it’s slinging share plates such as a whole lamb shoulder alongside lemon roast potatoes and pita. The menu also includes much-loved Aussie pub classics such as burgers, chicken parmigiana and spicy chicken wings. The new public bar has big screens to televise sporting matches and a rooftop bar with a DJ booth and dining space.

Best for: Mediterranean-inspired eats such as chicken and lamb souvlaki plates with pita bread and garnishes.
Address: 1 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest

The Mona

If a pub by the ocean in the Northern Beaches is what you had in mind, then meet The Mona . Local Ben Hanson quietly took over the much-loved Mona Vale pub (formerly known as The Old Rex and, most recently, The Park House) in 2024. The lifelong Northern Beaches local is the nephew of pub mogul Arthur Laundy so ‘pub as passion project’ is in his DNA. The pub’s newly introduced Ben’s Bakery Cafe & Pizzeria deserves a nod as does the mural celebrating Sydney’s surf culture. The Mona is also memorable for its live music, beer garden, upgraded courtyard and play area for kidlets.

Best for: Live bands such as the Dune Rats, The Terrys, The Grogans along with weekly specials.
Address: 2 Park St, Mona Vale

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