Great pubs, great beers
While the city is scattered with bars and nightclubs, it's really in Sydney's pubs that you will really soak in the local atmosphere and some great beers. The pubs are down to earth and great for socialising and here are just some of my choices for a great night out.
It's a grand pub crawl tour of Sydney!
An old fashioned English pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. In the back streets of Woolloonooloo, it is easily accessible from the city centre. The Old Fitzroy has 2 bars, a bistro that claims to serve the best laksa dish in Sydney as well as a live theatre that has put on some great productions over the years. It has an open fireplace in winter and you can get so settled you may never leave!
Located in the bustling restaurant hub of Neutral Bay, just across the harbour bridge easily accessible by buses, the Oaks Hotel has long been a favourite of local large social gatherings in its excellent beer garden with the famous Oak tree. Spreading its branches the tree provides a down to earth and friendly atmosphere and the beers on tap are great value too!
This is arguably Sydney's oldest pub and just like the Old Fitzroy, it still has its old fashioned charm and runs its own microbrewery brewing some of Sydney's finest ale. The pub doubles up as an accommodation hotel where you can stay upstairs in a comfortable room for a reasonable price.
A popular inner west cocktail bar that runs happy hour 6 days a week for their list of cocktails. Cozy and down to earth, it is best to arrive early to avoid being cornered out. Happy hour starts 6pm - 7:30pm Mon - Sats and it is buy one drink and get one free.
Possibly the only one of the few 24 bars in Sydney, the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel is conveniently located near Darling Harbour and Star City and has some great steaks on the menu. Lacks character but still a great drinking place with friendly staff. Check out the Comedy Trivia on Monday nights and 'Toss the Boss' competition on Friday nights.
A short stroll under the bridge and you will come to Harbour View Hotel. It is a modest pub that doesn't usually get noticed but has some great views of the harbour (hence the name!). The staff are friendly and is a great place to watch rugby on the big screen.
A quirky inner west bar in Glebe that is completely different to the rest of the pubs on this list. Popular among university crowds and sells sangria in buckets. Great selection of tapas are available but its drinks are not as cheap as there are no beers on tap (must buy in bottles) and spirits start at $6. However it is a pleasant place without all the seedy and unpleasant pub feel some of the local pubs can get.