16 of the best pubs in Sydney right now

For dinner, dancing and cocktails: The Abercrombie Hotel

One of the inner city's best venues for a late-night dance, this pub also has a cracking wine list and Italian-leaning pub menu. Roll up to The Abercrombie and find a ‘rave cave’ downstairs spanning RnB to disco, a beer garden and public bar on the ground floor, a wine bar and bottle shop in adjoining terraces, and a rooftop cocktail bar. In April 2025, Bar Freda’s will be opening at The Abercrombie, and the team will also program The Abercrombie nightclub and regular Club Freda's nights. 

Where: Chippendale 

Abercrombie Hotel, Chippendale - Credit: Steven Woodburn

For a party: The Albion Hotel Parramatta 

An archetypal pub in every way during the week, The Albion offers everything you need from a pub outing, including a classics-stacked menu. But after sunset on the weekend? You're guaranteed a heaving dance floor. Fridays and Saturdays, The Albion hosts parties to rival any other venue in Western Sydney, including live performers, DJs, VIP bottle service and pyrotechnics. Apart from the weekly club nights, keep an eye out for themed parties and special events.  

Where: Parramatta 

The Albion Hotel, Parramatta 

For a delicious pub feed: The Bat & Ball Hotel 

The Bat & Ball is a 90-plus-year-old, refurbished watering hole in Redfern serving what some consider Sydney’s best pub grub. The revived corner establishment offers pub classics plus natural wine on tap; daily specials including $1 oysters, a Sunday roast and a $20 steak; plus local vinyl DJs and a vibey pool room. Go for the plethora of different wines available, stay for the ‘never-ending’ happy hour of $16 negronis and espresso martinis. 

Where: Redfern 

The Bat & Ball Hotel, Redfern - Credit: Bat and Ball

For an Inner West classic: The Courthouse

Newtown institution the ‘Courty’ has housed locals seeking Sydney-brewed beers and an expansive outdoor area in the hubbub of Newtown since 1859. Tucked just off King Street, head to this Inner West pub for a dog-friendly, inclusive atmosphere and a classic menu that also includes a ‘can o’nachos’; and a beer-forward drinks offering.  

Where: Newtown 

The Courthouse, Newtown - Credit: The Courthouse

For water views: Felons Brewing Co. Manly 

Spanning a huge area on Manly Wharf, Felons Manly brings its craft beers and capacity for large groups to the waterfront. Make a pitstop here for a Mediterranean-leaning pub menu with a particularly good woodfired pizza offering (you can choose from Napoli-style or thin and crispy), exclusively Felons beers and a you-can-almost-touch-it proximity to the water. 

Where: Manly 

Felons Manly, Manly - Credit: Felons Manly

For Sydney Harbour views: The Glenmore Hotel

Few pubs in Sydney offer better views of the harbour than this CBD favourite. Nab a seat on The Glenmore’s rooftop and feel the magic of the harbour on a perfect day, with a front row view of the Sydney Opera House and harbour’s glistening waters. Food-wise, expect burgers, steak and salads, plus a good-value $12 cheeseburger on Tuesdays. Quench your thirst with an extensive drinks list covering all the basics, plus a decent original cocktails list.  

Where: The Rocks 

The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks - Credit: The Glenmore Hotel

For a contemporary bowlo: The Greens North Sydney

Ideal for those in a big group, or anyone with a penchant for bowls, The Greens in North Sydney is a primo place to come together over a game on the green and cocktails in a laid-back, spacious atmosphere. Here, enjoy a substantial cocktail menu; large, shared platters and a solid non- or low-alcohol list.  

Where: North Sydney 

The Greens, North Sydney - Credit: The Greens

For those with kids in tow: The Henson 

The playground tucked into the large, leafy beer garden at The Henson is where you’ll find the kids of the Inner West, while parents relax with a beer. It's this spacious area and easygoing atmosphere that appeals to the masses, along with its multicultural menu (using organic meat and sustainable seafood) and soft serve station. 

Where: Marrickville 

The Henson, Marrickville - Credit: Alana Dimou

For drag and dancing into the night: The Imperial

An essential meeting ground of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community, The Imperial has been home to drag shows and joyous after-dark culture of many kinds for more than 40 years. Down in the basement, lose inhibitions at themed parties; Wednesday to Sunday show up for drag; find pub classics in the main bar (with a more refined snacks section), and head to the rooftop for chilled chats and woodfired pizza by Pizza Bros.  

Where: Erskineville  

The Imperial, Erskineville

For a classic English-style pub: The Lord Dudley

There are many nooks and crannies one can cosy up into at The Lord Dudley – a family-run English pub in Sydney’s east with strong community vibes. Find several fireplaces, typical UK pub interiors (lots of dark timber and plush furnishings), a range of events including vinyl DJs and live music nights, a $10 schnitzel on Mondays and a British-leaning menu complete with Scotch eggs and a pot pie.  

Where: Paddington 

The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington

For an ‘80s flashback: The Magpie 

You’ve heard of tiny houses but what about a tiny pub? The Inner West is home to just that: The Magpie. Pull up a stool at this 30-seat, ‘80s-inspired pub for local beers on tap, sports on the telly and a very low-key vibe. While there isn't a kitchen, punters can order from a short menu of burgers and snacks, provided by an Enmore favourite.  

Where: Enmore 

The Magpie, Enmore - Credit: The Magpie

For lazing under a shady tree: The Oaks

The appeal of The Oaks lies in its ginormous oak tree, spanning over the courtyard and draped in twinkling fairy lights. Eighty-year-old-oak-tree appeal aside, at The Oaks there are four spaces for different occasions: The Oaks, a bar and grill (with an in-house butcher and a focus on steaks); Alala’s, a cocktail-focused bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking the courtyard; Taffy’s sports bar; and a bottle shop selling craft beers (you can get a growler fresh from the keg) plus local and international wines. 

Where: Neutral Bay 

Beer garden at The Oaks, Mosman - Credit: The Oaks

For a bistro feed followed by a show: The Old Fitzroy Hotel 

Beloved among locals, this street-corner pub is, at once, a theatre, pub and bistro. On one of the outdoor tables under the trees, while away an afternoon sipping craft beers and natural wines while people-watching. Food-wise, the offering is more what you’d expect at a mid-to-high-end French restaurant. Find steak tartare, a Wagyu cheeseburger, duck pâté and oysters on the pub menu, with a further refined offering on the bistro menu. On Sundays go for The Old Fitz Roast where you can choose from pork belly, chicken or slow-roasted pumpkin.  

Where: Woolloomooloo 

The Old Fitzroy, Wooloomooloo - Credit: Odd Culture

For big groups: The Royal Richmond Hotel

The high-pitched roof and huge courtyard at The Royal make it the ideal playground for family get togethers, friend catch ups and post-work hangouts. Take advantage of the expansive indoor space filled with long tables and country charm or head outside for sun-soaked tables topped with pub classics made with local Hawksebury produce.  

Where: Richmond 

The Royal Richmond Hotel, Richmond - Credit: The Royal Richmond Hotel

For iconic city views: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

If a pub with incredible city views is on your agenda, few will fit the bill better than this iconic venue in the eastern suburbs. Situated right on the shore, this hotel is ideal for anyone wanting a laid-back afternoon in the sun, to impress a few visitors (or convince to move here), and a seafood feast – there's an extensive offering on the broad and long menu of pub classics. 

Where: Watsons Bay 

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

For those with a dog in tow: The White Cockatoo

While a lot of Sydney pubs are dog-friendly, there’s something about the atmosphere at The White Cockatoo that makes them feel even more welcome. Nab a seat in the outside area and your pooch will make lots of new friends and get lots of warm pats, while you tuck into a fish pie, brisket lasagne or tuna ceviche. The retro Australiana décor, jukebox and pinball machine add to the charm.  

Where: Petersham 

The White Cockatoo, Petersham - Credit: The White Cockatoo