10 Best Pubs In Sydney 2023

Pubs in Sydney to sample the finest brew.

10 Best Pubs In Sydney 2023

If you’re looking for the best pubs in Sydney, you’ve come to the right place. With Sydney being a true city for drinkers, it should come as no surprise that you’ll find a huge number of great pubs dotted in and around Sydney CBD and the surrounding suburbs.

Whether you’re looking for the best Sydney pub for post-work beers, a weekend spot for some of the best pub food or a pub to watch live sport, Sydney has it all.

So, don’t bother Googling “pubs near me”, instead check out this list of pubs in Sydney to see if you’ll find your new favourite boozer. And, be sure to check back regularly, as we’ll be updating this list as and when we personally check out new Sydney pubs that gain our stamp of approval.

Redfern/Alexandria

The Noble Hops

125 Redfern St, Redfern, 2016

The Noble Hops

Playing host to more obscure breweries than you could throw an artisanal beer at, The Noble Hops is one of the best pubs in Sydney to learn all about, and be exposed to, the finest Australian craft beer – and there are usually around 100 on rotation – no matter how small the shed it’s been made in.

Lord Raglan Hotel

12 Henderson Rd, Alexandria, 2016

The Lord Raglan

Lord Raglan Hotel, located just across from Sydney’s Alexandria Park, is all about being as pure a pub as it can be. No pokies, no gawdy smoking areas, just a warm, comfortable setting and a ton of the best beers on tap that rotate weekly. Combine this with a suite of pinball machines, an American-inspired menu and weekly trivia, and baby you’ve got a party going.

Iron Duke Hotel

220 Botany Rd, Alexandria, 2015

The Iron Duke Hotel

Another of the best pubs Sydney has to offer, and one that makes the short trip from Redfern station worth taking is Iron Duke Hotel. This Alexandria institution has a weekly roster of featured beers on tap that you can sample, and even preview through their website before you head in.

The Bearded Tit

183 Regent St, Redfern, 2016

The Bearded Tit

Before you even walk inside The Bearded Tit, it’s easy to see that you’re about to enter one of Sydney’s more unique pubs. The Bearded Tit is one of the best LGBTQIA+ pubs in Sydney, being one that champions creativity and expressing oneself, and welcomes anyone and everyone inside. This Redfern institution now offers a small food menu to accompany their ever-changing roster of beers, meaning there’s always a reason to back. Head in with an open mind, and you won’t be disappointed.

Surry Hills/Paddington/Darlinghurst

Dove & Olive

156 Devonshire St, Surry Hills, 2010

Dove & Olive
Image: @cocktail_freak

Dove & Olive is another fine example of what it means to be a pub. In fact, it’s done the job so well it’s been on the receiving end of multiple awards. It may be tucked away in the quieter side of Surry Hills, but we implore you to go searching for it. Why? It has a consistently great range of beers on tap and some of the best pub food in Sydney that can only be described as “comforting” – with the Sunday roasts being a particular highlight.  

The Bat & Ball

495 Cleveland St, Redfern, 2016

The Bat & Ball

A popular pub for both Sydney Swans & Sydney FC fans, the Bat & Ball’s Parkside bar has long been a favoured choice for anyone heading to games at the nearby SFS or SCG. Recently revamped with a new menu and a great function area, they offer an awesome British vibe, darts AND quality grub.

The Paddo Inn

338 Oxford St, Paddington, 2021

The Paddo Inn

The Paddo Inn is no ordinary Sydney pub. Taking inspiration from the more upmarket pubs lining London streets, The Paddo Inn offers one complete dining experience (it used to have a separate dining room) serving up burgers and steaks, and don’t worry vegetarians, you’re catered for too. However, we’d recommend heading down on a Sunday for one of their ginormous roast dinners.

The Taphouse

122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst, 2010

The Local Taphouse

The highlight of any trip to The Taphouse has to come in the form of their beer tasting paddles, best sampled by going from a lighter pale ale through to a smoky porter or stout. Their slightly upmarket take on the best pub food and rooftop views makes everything feel a little more special too, but it never loses that homely Sydney pub feel.

Be sure to check out our complete guide to Surry Hills pubs for an even greater selection of pubs in Sydney.

The Inner West

Queen’s Hotel

The Queen's Hotel

Newtown’s pub scene has all but died, replaced with a sizeable helping of pubs-come-cocktail-bars-come-nightclubs. Just a few minutes’ walk down in Enmore, things have stayed a little more down to earth. A new breed of gastropubs is starting to take hold in the area, first and foremost of which is the Merivale-owned Queens Hotel.

Vic on the Park

2 Addison Rd, Marrickville, 2204

Vic On The Park

Home of what may be one of Sydney’s best beer gardens, the Vic has experienced a huge resurgence of popularity in the last few years. With a great selection of beers and burgers, the main highlight of the Vic comes in the form of its huge backyard area, which features a basketball court so you can lay up some bricks as you smash some tins.

The Oxford Tavern

1 New Canterbury Rd, Petersham, 2049

The Oxford Tavern

Formerly one of the Inner West’s most notorious strip bars, walking into the Oxford was once like experiencing the end of the world itself. Now, it’s an entirely different monster. Good music plays, good beer flows, and on Sundays, they break out the smoker to host Black Betty’s BBQ. Good meat by the gram. What more could you want?

Different Drummer

185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW, 2037

The Different Drummer

If you’re looking for one of the best pubs in the Inner West, then check out Different Drummer. It’s one of the best pubs in Sydney to grab burgers, beers and cocktails, making it a truly versatile boozer. If you’re not in the mood for a burger (hey, it happens) then the rest of the pub food menu is designed to share, making this New York-style bar (with a funky soundtrack to boot) an ideal spot day or night.

For some more great Inner West pubs, check out our guide to the best pubs in Newtown.

Sydney CBD Pubs

The Lord Nelson Brewery

19 Kent St, The Rocks, 2000

The Lord Nelson Brewery

Crowded AF on weekends, but absolutely one of Sydney’s best pubs, The Lord Nelson is the site of Sydney’s first really trendy craft brewery, making good beer accessible to hop fiends before it was even remotely cool to do so. Even now, their most popular brews flow freely on tap, as do a suite of their other, more seasonal beers.

The Hero of Waterloo

81 Lower Fort St, Millers Point, 2000

The Hero Of Waterloo

The Rocks is the Sydney CBD’s pub haven, and walking a short way from the hustle and bustle of The Rocks’ more crowded areas will have you in the proximity of some of Sydney’s oldest pubs. The Hero of Waterloo, which we think may have the best pub name in Sydney, is no exception, housing many a keen drinker within its century-old sandstone walls.

Fortune of War

137 George Street, The Rocks, 2000

No list of must-visit pubs in Sydney would be complete without mentioning Sydney’s oldest pub: Fortune of War. Dating back to 1828, Fortune of War is the place to go if you just want to pull up a pew at the bar and trade stories with the regulars. There are a few pokie machines out the back and even a rather delectable food menu. Live music and a well-specced beer garden only add to its appeal

Eastern Suburbs

Beach Road Hotel

71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach, 2026

No visit to the Eastern Suburbs would be complete without stopping by the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi. If you’re already a local, you’ll likely understand why so many are drawn to this Bondi pub, but for the uninitiated, the Beach Road Hotel offers numerous areas for drinking and eating combined with a location that is to die for.

For a complete guide to the best Bondi pubs, check out our full round-up.

The Old Fitzroy Hotel

129 Dowling Street, Woolloomoolo, 2011

The Old Fitzroy Hotel underwent a revamp at the end of 2020 after being taken over by new owners. Fortunately, said new owners have maintained much of the building’s 150-year-old charm, but have now given it a huge outdoor seating area to entice keen drinkers when the sun shines bright. It even plays host to a theatre, run by Red Line Productions, so be sure to check out the events calendar to see what’s on.

Royal Hotel Paddington

237 Glenmore Road, Paddington, 2021

There is much for the Royal Hotel Paddington to shout about. Split over four levels, and with a rooftop bar at the very top. Pub fanatics will likely want to stay at ground level, which is where you’ll find a range of sports on the TV screens and classic pub-grub. But, if you fancy hanging around and enjoying some cocktails late into the night, combined with an incredible view of Sydney, the rooftop bar is where it’s at.

Check out our complete round-up of best rooftop bars in Sydney for some other top-floor drinking spots.

Lord Dudley Hotel

236 Jersey Road, Paddington, 2021

This old English-style pub has been serving brews and food to locals since 1895 and has since amassed a large following. It’s easy to see why: a huge selection of local and imported beers, some delectable pub food and an incredibly welcoming atmosphere. When the temperature does indeed drop during the winter months, Lord Dudley has a few open fires for you to gather around to keep you toasty warm.

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