Pinpointing the best pubs in Sydney is no easy task, considering there’s one on almost every street corner. The Harbour City’s bar scene is rich with tried-and-tested mainstays but also includes a brand-new generation of watering holes serving craft beers, quirky cocktails, and refined pub fare.
A historic Paddington spot keeps British traditions alive with stellar Sunday roasts. A dog-friendly pub in Sydney’s Inner West stands out for its Asian fusion dishes such as katsu burgers and Thai sausage spaghettini. In Chippendale, a sleek city bar dazzles with creative cocktails and an impressive Australian cheese selection.
Whether you want to post up with a pint at a time-honoured spot or sip biodynamic wine al fresco, these spots have you covered. Read on for a guide to the best pubs in Sydney to book now on OpenTable.
Read on for the best pubs in Sydney for great pints and food
For top-notch pub food on a rooftop – visit The Light Brigade in Woollahra
The Light Brigade is a top-notch Inner West pub for your next beer, sporting match, or weeknight family dinner. The bistro (located on level one) offers relaxed dining with picturesque sunsets and city views of iconic Oxford Street. Indulge in pub classics without breaking the bank—there are $16 wood-fired pizzas on Mondays, $16 chicken schnitzels on Wednesdays, and $16 fried chicken burgers on Thursdays. Head to the Brigade rooftop on a warm day to enjoy a chilled brew or a cocktail of the month.
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For one of the best gastro pubs in Sydney – try The Bar at The Rose of Australia Hotel in Erskineville
This Art Deco community pub and cantina has been a fixture in Erskineville since 1932. But don’t be fooled by its age. The nonagenarian The Bar at The Rose of Australia Hotel knows how to party. An eclectic mix of Erko locals, students, inner-city professionals, and sporting fans gather across its outdoor vineyard, upstairs cocktail bar, and award-winning gastro pub on a nightly basis. They’re here for the 28 rotating craft beers, heaps of Australian tinnies, and some of the country’s finest organic and biodynamic wines. Stay for dinner and build your own grazing board, salad bowl, burger, or rotisserie plate.
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For some of the best pub lunches in Sydney – book at The Lord Raglan Hotel in Alexandria
The Lord Raglan Hotel is a craft beer haven. This newly refurbished inner-city pub is nestled amongst some of Sydney’s finest breweries, making it an ideal place to unwind with a cold brew. If beer’s not your thing, there is a carefully curated wine list and plenty of crowd-pleasing cocktails. Balance out the drinks with cosmopolitan pub grub such as wagyu burgers and market fresh barramundi, plus fancy Mediterranean share plates featuring falafel, meze, and char-grilled chorizo.
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For one of the best kid friendly pubs in Sydney – don’t miss Belrose Hotel in Belrose
Crowds flock to The Belrose Hotel for its daily $6,5 happy hour and $12 Friday night cocktail specials. But this hotel bar is more than just a place to grab a drink with friends. It’s super family-friendly, boasting one of the largest indoor playgrounds in any Sydney hotel, along with a spacious bistro, lofty sports bar, private function room, and even a bottle shop. So let the little ones run wild—parents can snack on quality share plates and heartier pub mains such as pulled beef-brisket nachos, chicken katsu burgers, and housemade ricotta gnocchi.
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For one of the best beer gardens in Sydney – book a table at Newtown Hotel in Newtown
This inviting pub has been a fixture of the Newtown community since the late 1800s, attracting visitors from all walks of life. There’s something for everyone at the Newton Hotel public bar, such as Monday night trivia, Tuesday night pool competitions, Friday night DJs, or Saturday night drag shows. The adjoining beer garden is a relaxed spot for midweek dinners, after-work drinks, and sunsets with your furry friends. On weekends, make the most of $20 cocktail jugs, including favourites such as Aperol and Pimm’s.
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For some of the best pub food in Sydney Inner West – try The Balmain Hotel in Balmain
This historic Balmain pub has served booze to the masses since 1869. But that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. The Balmain Hotel has transformed into a tropical oasis with tiki-inspired interiors, three bars, and a unique pink flamingo room (a nod to when women frequented a ladies’ parlour). Guests can sip creatively crafted cocktails and feast on Southern American and Asian fusion dishes such as Nashville Chinatown hot chicken sandwiches, katsu burgers, Thai sausage spaghettini, and Oreo cheesecake cream puffs. Bonus points for the pet-friendly beer garden.
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For a family-friendly pub the kids will love – visit The Oven, Club Parramatta in Parramatta
Everyone is welcome at this easygoing western Sydney pub in The Oven, Club Parramatta. The pub offers plenty of spaces to perch, ranging from a casual front bar and family-friendly dining room to an outdoor patio and playground. The menu caters to a range of diets—unusual for pub grub—and features gluten-free pizza, truffle and porcini arancini, crumbed prawn tacos, a watermelon, mint and feta salad, and kid’s dinosaur nuggets. Those with heartier appetites can opt for salmon pappardelle, chicken and pesto linguine and marinated lamb souvlaki with Greek salad, chips, tzatziki and pita bread.
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For a cheese lover’s heaven – don’t miss Clare Bar in Chippendale
Clare Bar is a sleek city pub with ritzy food and drink offerings. Pull up a chair at the large curved bar or people watch from the footpath tables which overlook bustling Broadway and Kensington Streets. The Clare’s succinct bar menu is designed to share, offering a range of Australian cheeses and flatbreads, along with heartier options such as a double beef cheeseburger and truffle mushroom jaffle. Its drinks selection strikes the perfect balance between a chilled Aussie pub and a sophisticated hotel bar featuring local tinnies, inventive cocktails, and Australian wines.
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For one of the best sports pubs in Sydney – book at The London in Paddington
The London has poured Syndeysiders drinks since 1875. It’s the perfect mix of old and new boasting modern decor, a lively atmosphere, and a British-inspired menu. Weekdays are a treat with darts tournaments and $15 jugs on Wednesdays, $22 steaks on Thursdays, and $29 roasts and $12 spritz on Sundays. Kick off the weekend in style with a $12 cocktail happy hour every Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm and end it in the most British way—with a traditional Sunday roast. Thanks to its close proximity to the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Paddington is also the ultimate destination for sports enthusiasts with live game screenings daily.
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Melissa Woodley is a passionate food writer who is currently eating her way through Sydney and exploring as many new cuisines as possible. Follow her on Instagram @sporkdiaries.
