Skip to content
SydneySpots
The Best Pubs in Sydney
12 spots · curated by our editors

The Best Pubs in Sydney

Sydney has no shortage of good pubs, from heritage-listed icons in The Rocks to contemporary venues across the suburbs. Whether you're after a classic neighbourhood local or a historic watering hole with decades of stories, this guide covers 12 standout pubs worth visiting across the city.

  1. Soak Bathhouse Alexandria — Alexandria, Sydney1
    Pubs Alexandria

    1. Soak Bathhouse Alexandria

    Visit for a modern pub experience in Alexandria, scoring highest on our list for its contemporary approach to traditional pub culture.

    70
    Spot Score
    Great
    4.8(2,659)· Google
    View venue
  2. Soak Bathhouse - Bondi Junction — Alexandria, Sydney2
    Pubs Bondi

    2. Soak Bathhouse - Bondi Junction

    Head here for a polished pub setting on the eastern suburbs side, ideal if you're in the Bondi Junction area.

    68
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.9(662)· Google
    View venue
  3. Crowbar Sydney & Ultimate Pig — Parramatta, Sydney3
    Pubs Parramatta

    3. Crowbar Sydney & Ultimate Pig

    Check out this Parramatta venue for a dual-concept pub experience in Sydney's west, combining casual dining with bar culture.

    65
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.6(932)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  4. The Welcome Hotel — Balmain, Sydney4
    Pubs Balmain

    4. The Welcome Hotel

    Stop by this Balmain local for a neighbourhood pub with character and a strong local following.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.5(927)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  5. Fortune of War - Sydney's Oldest Pub — The Rocks, Sydney5
    Pubs The Rocks

    5. Fortune of War - Sydney's Oldest Pub

    Visit The Rocks' legendary Fortune of War to drink in one of Sydney's most historically significant pubs, operating since 1828.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.4(3,766)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  6. The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room — Balmain, Sydney6
    Pubs Balmain

    6. The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room

    Choose this Balmain spot if you want a pub with a solid dining offering alongside your drink.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.5(994)· Google
    View venue
  7. Courthouse Hotel — Newtown, Sydney7
    Pubs Newtown

    7. Courthouse Hotel

    Head to Newtown's Courthouse Hotel for a pub with local character in one of Sydney's most eclectic neighbourhoods.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.4(2,616)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  8. The Hero of Waterloo Hotel — The Rocks, Sydney8
    Pubs The Rocks

    8. The Hero of Waterloo Hotel

    Pop into this The Rocks institution for a historic pub experience in a heritage-rich corner of the city.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.4(1,585)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  9. The Duke of Clarence — Sydney CBD, Sydney9
    Pubs Sydney CBD

    9. The Duke of Clarence

    Visit this CBD venue if you want a central location without venturing too far from the city's business district.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.4(2,124)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  10. Harts Pub — The Rocks, Sydney10
    Pubs The Rocks

    10. Harts Pub

    Drop by this The Rocks favourite for a traditional pub atmosphere in one of Sydney's most atmospheric precincts.

    64
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.4(2,041)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  11. The Australian Heritage Hotel — The Rocks, Sydney11
    Pubs The Rocks

    11. The Australian Heritage Hotel

    Explore this The Rocks pub for a venue steeped in Australian character and history.

    63
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.3(2,125)· Google$$$$
    View venue
  12. Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks — The Rocks, Sydney12
    Pubs The Rocks

    12. Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks

    Choose this spot for its location in The Rocks with views and proximity to other historic pubs and Sydney's waterfront.

    63
    Spot Score
    Worth a Look
    4.3(1,995)· Google$$$$
    View venue

At a glance

VenueSpot ScoreGooglePriceSuburbTop feature
Soak Bathhouse Alexandria70/1004.8(2,659)—Alexandria—
Soak Bathhouse - Bondi Junction68/1004.9(662)—Bondi—
Crowbar Sydney & Ultimate Pig65/1004.6(932)$$Parramatta—
The Welcome Hotel64/1004.5(927)$$Balmain—
Fortune of War - Sydney's Oldest Pub64/1004.4(3,766)$$The Rocks—
The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room64/1004.5(994)—Balmain—
Courthouse Hotel64/1004.4(2,616)$$Newtown—
The Hero of Waterloo Hotel64/1004.4(1,585)$$The Rocks—
The Duke of Clarence64/1004.4(2,124)$$Sydney CBD—
Harts Pub64/1004.4(2,041)$$The Rocks—
The Australian Heritage Hotel63/1004.3(2,125)$$The Rocks—
Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks63/1004.3(1,995)$$The Rocks—

Frequently asked questions

Which is Sydney's oldest pub?+

Fortune of War in The Rocks is recognised as Sydney's oldest pub, with origins dating to 1828.

Where are most of Sydney's historic pubs located?+

The Rocks has the highest concentration of heritage pubs in Sydney, including Fortune of War, The Hero of Waterloo Hotel, Harts Pub, The Australian Heritage Hotel, and Harbour View Hotel.

Are there good pubs outside the CBD and The Rocks?+

Yes. Balmain has two venues worth visiting (The Welcome Hotel and The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room), Newtown has the Courthouse Hotel, and western Sydney is served by Crowbar Sydney in Parramatta. Alexandria and Bondi Junction also have modern pub options.

Which pubs offer dining as well as drinks?+

The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room in Balmain explicitly combines pub fare with drinks. For specific details on meal offerings at other venues, it's best to contact them directly.

Keep exploring

All pubs

The best of Sydney, in your inbox

New openings, hidden gems and weekend ideas. One thoughtful email a week. No spam.