2013 British & Irish Lions Tour: Sydney Pubs Guide

Due to unpopular demand   I've decided to scrape together a rough guide to Sydney pubs.

Depending on where you will be staying - I've split them into localities for ready reckoning.  
These are only my recommendations however - each to their own of course!
Maybe you've had good or bad experiences in other places. Feel free to add a reply.      

Well known and popular with both tourists & locals - great Aussie pub experience. Menus may vary in quality but generally OK.
Fairly decent pub with average to good menus - mostly a good place but depends on the day
Can get rowdy (normally) but should be buzzing with Lion's fans who will have taken possession of the joint by June.
 A little pricey/pretentious maybe... for those who will like a quiet cocktail with the Missus
Iconic pubs - usually near the seaside. Can either be crowded or a bit rowdy & notorious but most have chill-out areas too.
- Don't know too much about... will keep you posted if I visit.
- OK beers, simple menu... nothing to write home about


I'd imagine most folks will be staying in the East (anywhere from Kings Cross/Rushcutters Bay/Paddington... to the coast at Bondi Beach)
Others maybe staying in the City (Circular Quay to Central Station) or the Darling Harbour area just west of the CBD

City: Circular Quay - The Rocks - Downtown (Financial District)
City Rail: Circular Quay, Wynyard. Martin Place ( for trains to Bondi Junction - Eastern Suburbs Line)

This is where the most expensive hotels are - some very posh hotel type bars but also some old historic pubs with good beer selections/decent menus; close to the Opera House, Bridge, Botanical Gardens.

The Rugby Club  
Rugby Place (off 31 Pitt St - near Circular Quay)
Sydney
9247 3344
http://www.rugbyclub.com.au/
a little small and pokey!

Fortune Of War      
137 George Street
Sydney (The Rocks - Circular Quay West)
9247 2714
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/fortune-of-war.4014

Hero Of Waterloo    
81 Lower Fort Street
Millers Point (The Rocks - western side)
9252 4553
http://www.heroofwaterloo.com.au/

The Lord Nelson Brewery    
19 Kent Street
Millers Point (The Rocks)
http://www.lordnelsonbrewery.com/

The Australian Heritage Hotel    
100 Cumberland St
The Rocks
http://australianheritagehotel.street-directory.com.au/?r=1&rg-0-a=2&rg-0-c=0&did=178&vid=1

The Ship Inn  
Cnr Pitt & Alfred Streets
Sydney (Circular Quay)
9241 2433
http://www.thebestpub.com.au/ShipInn.html

Customs House Bar    
14 Macquarie Place
Sydney (Circular Quay)
9259 7317
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/customs-house-bar.3359

Ryan’s Paragon Hotel    
Loftus Street (next to Macquarie Park off Bridge St)
Sydney
9241 3522
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/ryans-paragon-hotel.943

30 Knots   it may be more  
Level 1, Grand Hotel
30 Hunter Street
Sydney
9232 3755
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/30-knots.4343

Hotel Chambers    
53 Martin Place
Sydney
9233 5388
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/hotel-chambers.925

Ivy Bar      
Level 1, 330 George Street
Sydney
9254 8100
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/ivy-bar.4352

Gin Garden (The Establishment)      
252 George Street
Sydney
9240 3100
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/gin-garden.4349

City: Town Hall (Midtown Commercial/Retail area - between Martin Place... south to Goulburn/Liverpool Sts)
City Rail: Town Hall, Martin Place, Central

Hotel CBD    
Cnr York and King Streets
Sydney
8297 7000
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/hotel-cbd.4351

Forbes Hotel    
30 York Street
Sydney
9299 3703
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/the-forbes-hotel.808

Marble Bar    
Level B1,
488 George Street (under the Hilton)
9265 2606
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/marble-bar.96

Edinburgh Castle Hotel    
294 Pitt Street
Sydney (near Town Hall)
9264 8616
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/edinburgh-castle-hotel.1027

Kingsleys Australian Steakhouse  
29A King Street
Sydney
9295 5080
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/kingsleys-australian-steakhouse.4242

3 Wise Monkeys    
555 George Street
Sydney
9383 5855
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/3-wise-monkeys.2750

Scruffy Murphy’s    
43-49 Goulburn Street
Sydney
9211 2002
http://www.pubssydney.com/pubs/scruffy-murphys.2707

City: Darling Harbour
Short walk from Town Hall or Central

Helm Bar  
7 Wheat Road
Darling Harbour
9290 1571
http://www.helmbar.com.au/

The Pumphouse  
17 Little Pier Street
Darling Harbour
http://www.sydneypubguide.net/pubs/Pumphouse_Bar_and_Grill.aspx

Pyrmont / Glebe (Uni student haunts)
Light rail / buses goes there; Pyrmont across footbridge at Darling Harbour... near The Casino.

The Harlequin Inn  
Cnr Harris & Union Streets
Pyrmont
9660 8146
http://www.sydneypubguide.net/pubs/Harlequin.aspx

The Nag’s Head    
162 St John’s Road
Glebe
9660 1591
http://www.nagshead.com.au

East: Paddington - Surry Hills. Near the Allianz (SFS) for the Lions v Tahs match.
Short 10 minute walk to SFS from Oxford St / Paddington / Surry Hills area. Buses too.

PJ Gallagher’s Irish Pub EQ  
1 Bent Street
Moore Park (Fox Studios - behind SCG - near SFS)
9331 5218
http://www.thebestpub.com.au/PJGallaghersEQ.html

The Light Brigade Hotel  
2A Oxford Street (cnr Jersey Road)
Paddington / Woollahra
9357 0888
http://www.thebestpub.com.au/TheLightBrigade.html

Captain Cook Hotel  
162 Flinders Street
Paddington
9360 4327
http://citysearch.com.au/places/nsw/paddington/captain%20cook%20hotel

Olympic Hotel  
308 Moore Park Road (very near SFS)
Paddington
9361 6315
http://www.truelocal.com.au/business/olympic-hotel/paddington

The Cricketer's Arms Hotel    
106 Fitzroy Street
Surry Hills
9311 3301
http://citysearch.com.au/places/nsw/surry%20hills/the%20cricketers%20arms%20hotel

The Clock Hotel  
470 Crown Street
Surry Hills
9331 5333
http://clockhotel.com.au/

East: Double Bay - Watson's Bay (inner Sydney Harbour areas)
Only buses... or taxis - which are very expensive here!!

The Golden Sheaf Hotel    
New South Head Road
Double Bay
9327 5877
http://www.goldensheaf.com.au/welcome

Watson's Bay Hotel (Doyle's Seafood)      
1 Military Road
Watson's Bay
9337 5444
http://sydneypubguide.net/pubs/Watsons_Bay_Hotel_%28Doyles%29.aspx

East: Bondi Beach - Coogee - Randwick  
Train to Bondi Junction... then bus it down to the beach or to the south-eastern suburbs.

Hotel Bondi      
178 Campbell Parade
Bondi Beach
9139 3271
http://www.thebestpub.com.au/HotelBondi.html

Ravesi’s Hotel      
118 Campbell Parade
Bondi Beach
9365 4522
http://www.thebestpub.com.au/ravesisbondi.html

The Coogee Bay Hotel     (watch out for the Bra Boys!)  
253 Coogee Bay Road
Coogee
9665 0000
http://www.thebestpub.com.au/CoogeeBayHotel.html

Randwick Rugby Club     (haven't been there for ages though)
102-104 Brook Street
Coogee
9665 5447
http://www.randwickrugby.com.au/club/

North: Manly - The Corso  
From Circular Quay - Ferry: Wharf 3 (30 mins), Jetcat: Wharf 6 (20 mins)

Manly Wharf Hotel (the first one when you get off ferry/jetcat... quite upmarket now)    
East Esplanade
Manly
9977 1266
http://www.pubsandclubs.com.au/listings/manly-wharf-hotel.737

Hotel Steyn (where Grandad used to drink... changed a lot since 1966 though!)    
75 The Corso Manly (walk from the ferry wharf right down to the end of the Corso... on your left facing the beach)
Manly
9977 4977
http://citysearch.com.au/places/nsw/manly/steyne%20hotel

Ivanhoe of Manly      
27 The Corso
9976 3955
http://citysearch.com.au/places/nsw/manly/ivanhoe%20of%20manly

Wherever possible - check out "pubs nearby" on some of the above websites. Accommodation may still be available too.
There's simply too many pub & bar venues in Sydney and as owners/menus/themes/decor changes... it's hard to keep track.

I haven't even bothered to list any pubs in trendy (less touristy) areas like Newtown, Balmain, Kirribilli, etc nor in the suburbs around Stadium Australia / Olympic Park... but I will have a snoop around and get back to you all in the coming weeks.

If any other Aussies are about - please chip in with your tips or feel free to disagree with my ratings.
If you live in Brisbane or Melbourne - let everyone know of your favourite places and "don't go theres".    

Please... to pardon all the icons.

Good list LB. I'd also throw in the rooftop bar at The Glenmore at the Rocks, would have to be one of the best views in Sydney and not far from the Australian Hotel (which supposedly has over 300 different Aussie beers).

For somewhere a bit quieter, The Republic on Bridge Street opposite the stock exchange gets an honourable mention for the burgers alone.

Great work LB - I really miss Sydney, its awesome coffee and buff ladies.

Good calls, FC.

http://www.theglenmore.com.au/

http://www.republichotel.com/home/bar/ .... was that the the old Metropolitan Hotel?


Yes, great coffee and wimmin, George. You should pop back down.

Felt very nostalgic towards Sydney reading that. We lived in Manly for five years.

Great town.

I was born up there on North Head (Manly District Hospital), maes so I have a very strong attachment to the place. Got married on Shelly Beach. I still go there (North Steyne) every few weeks for a swim and have some brekkie with an old mate.

Whereabouts in Manly did you live?
We were in James St and later in Margaret St and Berry Ave in Fairlight.

I think that's where England also stayed in 2003. The Pacific Hotel?

We had a place in Queenscliff by the lagoon. The quiet end of the beach. Brilliant for the kids.

Used to be a member of the skiff club, helmed a 16 for a few years there. Used to sail from middle harbour too.

We have moved around a lot over thirty years and Manly still has to be one of the most incredible places to live in the world.

Loved the surf clubs Santa Pub crawl at Christmas. Always a great night out.

We still have many friends there and until a 09 used to go back regularly. Unfortunately the travel is too much for my wife now days.

That coastline running north is incredible too. Regularly used to spend weekends with friends in Palm Beach and Pittwater.

Last time I was there we watched the rugby at the Manly Wharf bar. Great spot and for you young single lads the girls in the bar were exceptionally good looking.

I do seriously advise any of you going to be aware of New South Wales low tollerence to drunkeness.

You won't be allowed into pubs drunk, if you are in a bar and get drunk they don't mind too much but will throw you out if you misbehave. More importantly they won't let you back in if you leave.

Also dress code in the evenings has to be respected. Shorts and in particular Flip flops will not be allowed in to bars in the evening.

Australia is a very safety conscious nation, the rules have to be obeyed. You can have a great time if you do pay adherence, so keep that in mind. It's a very friendly place. They have zero tolerance for trouble.

I used to kick about in the Pittwater area too. Spent many a New Year in Palm Beach and on Scotland Island. As you say it's a wonderful part of the world to grow up for a kid.

That's so right about the alcohol intolerance, maes. It's getting even tougher now. They are about to introduce (or already have?) a system whereby if you are caught drink driving then they will make you pay for the installation of ignition-breathaliser device (a few thousand $). Some woman (about 37 .y.o) has been banned from driving until 2062... if she is still able to drive when she's 88.

Excellent review LB, I have started my research but you have probably just saved me 30 man hours or so

You mind if I pick your brain for a few suggestions???

I'm getting off a flight into sydney at 6am of the 15th, picking up the Campa van on the monday so looking for a Hotel to stay at Sat and Sunday night in Sydney, going to the Tah's game so wanna be close enough so is within walking distance if possible, and maybe for a tipple to get over the jetlag, do you know of anywhere that is nice and reasonably priced?

Also heading to Cnaberra for the Brumbies game then onto Melbourne for a while, are you planning on doing reviews on drinking holes for them too?

One last thing, will be heading back to Sydney for the 3rd test (STILL ON THE HUNT FOR TICKETS, MAY HAVE A PAIR OF MELBOURNE TICKETS FOR TRADE) and will be driving up the coast, is there any must see places to stop, check out, activities to do etc??


Thanks mate!

blues,

It's may be best to check out some of the pub accommodation in the "East - Paddington" area above (closest to stadium but more pricey) or even somewhere around Surry Hills which is quite a 'bohemian' / arty area. Also the area around Central Station / Strawberry Hills is within walking distance (20 mins max.) plus there are plenty of buses going to and fro there and the SFS.

A little out of the loop with Canberra... but there are some nice ones if you want to splurge (might not be a bad idea... if you want to avoid the major hotel chain ones) look at the Kurrajong... where some famous people have stayed in the 20th C. It was quite a nice place and fairly reasonable rates too.

http://www.ozihotels.com.au/canberra/canberra-hotels/hotel-kurrajong-canberra.php

Have a look at some of these.

http://www.lastminute.com.au/accommodation/australia/canberra

For ones handy to Canberra Stadium:

http://www.wotif.com/hotels/landmarks/australia/canberra-stadium-hotels.html

I quite like the area around the suburb of Reid (north of Lake Burley Griffin) which is near Civic (the commercial centre of Canberra with the bigger, more modern hotels) and also Manuka, near the suburbs of Barton / Griffith / Forest is a trendy (for Canberra) - George Smith / George Gregan's cafe nearby - it's run by their wives of course - but that is on the southern side of LBG near where the cricket ground is.

Are you driving up from Melbourne?

You can either go the coastal way (Princes Hwy). Some nice little towns in sthn NSW like Eden, Tathra, Merimbula. Beautiful coastline esp. in winter.

http://www.sapphirecoast.com.au/

http://www.southcoast.net.au/accommodation/accommodation-on-the-sapphire-coast/

If you go the inland route (Hume Highway) - try places like Albury-Wodonga (on the NSW/Vic border) I really like those inland towns. There are plenty of much smaller towns along the way like Gundagai, but the accommodation is more your B & B type or the ubiquitous motel type accommodation. Very nice countryside too but it can be freezing in winter. Sure you'll be able to handle it though!

http://www.alburywodongaaustralia.com.au/directory_categories.asp?ID=1

http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/wagga-wagga-area/gundagai

Closer to Sydney there is the Southern Highlands - towns like Goulburn, Moss Vale, Mittagong, Berrima - very quaint those last few especially and more boutique style accommodation is available.

http://www.thesouthernhighlands.com.au/southern-highlands-accommodation

I have a one time offer, I need a ticket to australia, pplus all expenses paid,

This will include

Accommodation - nothing fancy, just a warm bed
Travel - preferably a rented motorcycle
Pocket money - beer, biltong, tickets, MILF money etc


The party that provides me with all of that, their team will hae my support for the duration of the Lions tour.

MILF money

Earth girls are easy...

You'd fit in well with the locals, mate.

Oops, sorry that is supposed to be MILK money.

Some good fly fishing spots nearby. Your son would love it!

I've just discovered there's a place where you can pet a wallaby... about 1km from my new place. I had no idea they were in this part of the city.

A couple of emus lurking around there too. They are bloody hard to corner though and don't like being touched.

I wnet flyfishing in January at a place called Vaalstreams, they had about 8 emu's there, they are even uglier than an ostrich.

Not as big as an Ostrich, but not much smaller either.

Tell me about it. They are not the prettiest things to look at and they make that weird noise... like brackish water going down a blocked drain.

I think somebody has slipped something (dope?) into their feed... or maybe they are naturally a bit slow.

Still, they are part of our national emblem so fair dues to them for impressing the early settlers.

like brackish water going down a blocked drain

Well put, that phrase should be in a Novel somewhere.

I take it you aren't going to sponsor me?

Cheers LB, although I will be kipping in a campa so no need for the hotels (except for the first 2 nights in Sydney)

We are definately going to take the main road down, and the coastal route back, and am very excited about the trip.

The only downside is that we won't be spending enough time in Sydney itself, we have 2 days there before heading off to Canberra, then we are planning on getting back the day before the final test, and flight leaves the day after...

Biltong wrote:I take it you aren't going to sponsor me?

I'm rich in spirit; relatively poor (compared to some) I wish I could sponsor you and 50 others.

If only I was Bill Gates I'd spend it on my good rugby mates.

Bugger your fifty mates, just me.

I tell you what I will pay half, for every Dollar you put in I will put in a Rand.

Biltong wrote:Bugger your fifty mates, just me.

I tell you what I will pay half, for every Dollar you put in I will put in a Rand.

Just knock together a sturdy canoe (made out of biltong offcuts), hike down to the Natal coast, grab a stick for a paddle along the way... and point the damn thing East! I'll be waiting in the jeep - just near the coast by Shark Island, WA.

The Promised Land awaits thee... Almighty Biltongness

you're no help at all.

Biltong if you transfer me your life savings I will guarantee you 500% return in just a week! Oh wait sorry, wrong website...

Great list! Sadly baring a lottery win I wont be there in June...
When I was in Sydney I really liked Doyles, well worth a visit for lovers of seafood.

I think I've been to some of the old ones on that list too, but I can't be sure. My Grandad (who grow up there) gave me a list of the bars me used to go to for when I was there. Of course most of them had been demolished about 50 years before!

I'll be in brizvegas in August to see my new and only niece before some tcb in NZ. This thread makes me nostalgic for my flat near Bondi in the 90s. We had a table tennis table and never locked the house. No need as there were people at all times and all hours playing table tennis. Permanent house sitters. The closest I came to commune living.

Wish I could join the barmy army. I love Melbourne and actually thought it made for easier living but Sydney is a trophy city you want to show off to the rest of the world. Most stunning Inhabited Harbour area in the world. Take the ferry to manly and laugh at the tourists forking out huge sums for Harbour cruises!

Biltong

I have it mate, I got an email from this Nigerian princess who is trying to get overthrown, she desperately needs somewhere to stash her £700 k stirling, and If I would just send her my bank details and a small transfer fee she would like to hold the money in my account, of course she'll offer me 50k to do so, which is rather generous, made me suspicious like.

After speaking to her via email for a while she seems very genuine, so if you want in just send me your bank details and half of the transfer fee and you can get 25k in a few weeks!!!

You in?

I had the worst hangover EVER in Sydney after a night on the VB..

Breaker just point me in the direction of the nearest university and I'll be grand...

For intelectual conversation and a browse through the uni library you understand?

Not because I plan to bed your aussie women on the premise they can cross sturdy irish hunk off their bucket list and add a notch to their campus bedpost.

Ps 2 months today till I land in Perth

WillyGilly wrote:Breaker just point me in the direction of the nearest university and I'll be grand...

For intelectual conversation and a browse through the uni library you understand?

Not because I plan to bed your aussie women on the premise they can cross sturdy irish hunk off their bucket list and add a notch to their campus bedpost.

Wilser,
I can drop you off there (Syd U - close to town) ... then you both just have to make your own way back to the hotel... or her place, OK?
Seriously, you won't have to say too much. A few words only. You'd be an instant hit with the sheilas like most Irish blokes are here anyway.

Cheers LB. Great work, and very much appreciated.

No worries, Hound.
You must be getting quite excited about the trip now?

Fantastic stuff, LB - a must read for any travelling fans

MODS,

Apologies if this has been asked before but can we have this as a sticky to save trawling through the posts near the time.

Cheers

I can offer a similar Guide of Merthyr should there be a demand.

WillyGilly wrote:Breaker just point me in the direction of the nearest university and I'll be grand...

For intelectual conversation and a browse through the uni library you understand?

Not because I plan to bed your aussie women on the premise they can cross sturdy irish hunk off their bucket list and add a notch to their campus bedpost.

Willynillly, WillyGilly?

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I'll be in brizvegas in August to see my new and only niece before some tcb in NZ. This thread makes me nostalgic for my flat near Bondi in the 90s. We had a table tennis table and never locked the house. No need as there were people at all times and all hours playing table tennis. Permanent house sitters. The closest I came to commune living.

Wish I could join the barmy army. I love Melbourne and actually thought it made for easier living but Sydney is a trophy city you want to show off to the rest of the world. Most stunning Inhabited Harbour area in the world. Take the ferry to manly and laugh at the tourists forking out huge sums for Harbour cruises!

Even better to nip down to rush utters bay or middle harbour on the evening of a club race and ask if any of the yachts need an extra hand. Always welcome on board if you have a slab of tinnies.

Sydney harbour by sailing yacht is wonderful.

bedfordwelsh wrote:MODS,

Apologies if this has been asked before but can we have this as a sticky to save trawling through the posts near the time.

Cheers

For a long time I have thought it would be fantastic to have this type of brilliant information on as many rugby venues as possible.

There is a wealth of drinking and eating venues on these boards that can be very useful

I'll sticky it for you.

Doesn't want to stick, I find out why

Biltong wrote:Doesn't want to stick, I find out why

I've stickied it


For those with some culinary curiousity, emu tastes like ostrich (very lean red meat, a little gamey), kangaroo is a bit like venison, and crocodile tastes like chicken.

According to mick dundee they all taste like s@@t.

Not many places in the world where people can windsurf to work!

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Biltong wrote:Doesn't want to stick, I find out why

I've stickied it


For those with some culinary curiousity, emu tastes like ostrich (very lean red meat, a little gamey), kangaroo is a bit like venison, and crocodile tastes like chicken.

Cheers,

After a few (only to be sociable) everything tastes ok to me

Not sure about the Metropolitan Hotel Linebreaker, I just got back from a 6 month stint down your neck of the woods. Prior to that I only had limited knowledge of Sydney's watering holes. I was actually surprised how liberal the enforcement of drinking laws was in Sydney, you wouldn't get away with half the stuff I saw down there north of the border.

As regards Brisbane bars, just head to Caxton Street which runs alongside the stadium. All the bars and restaurants there will be full before and after the game. Also, Fortitude Valley is a hotbed of activity. Plenty to choose from around there.

Ahh, the Caxton Hotel. Nice street there.

It will be good to see the Lions fans having to run the gauntlet as the Cockroaches have to do every year.

I was last in Brisbane about 2 years ago. The Valley was pumping.
What about South Bank? Is that a popular venue for rugby fans with bars and big screens set up?

I lived in Sydney for 5 years, but cannot help with this thread at all. I was aged 5-10. Lunar Park was awesome though.

Ahhh The Caxton...

If any Lions tourists want to experience a bit of Australia, have a few beers and enjoy the extremely wise locals whose knowledge of rugby (whether it be Australian or not)is unsurpassed anywhere then a trip to the caxton is mandatory.

Its just a couple of minutes work up the hill from Suncorp. If any of you do take up this recommendation please come back and tell us about your experience.

The famous Brisbane hotel where Quade and Kurtley were refused entry... and where moments later a bouncer was struck by KB.

http://www.thevictory.com.au/

The assault charges were dropped today.

Linebreaker wrote:What about South Bank? Is that a popular venue for rugby fans with bars and big screens set up?

During the world cup they had big screens and a supporters bar set up there but haven't heard if they've got anything planned for the lions tour. There's plenty of eateries and a few bars around there (would recommend the Plough Inn). Southbank is a nice area, there's always something going on there and it's easy to walk to from the city across the Goodwill or Victoria bridges.

In the city centre there's a number of smaller, terrace style, bars in the Queen St mall but on game day Caxton St is the place to be. Start at the top near Petrie Terrace and work your way down.