Ideally located in the heart of the rocks, this heritage-listed establishment offers some of the best pub food Sydney has on offer. The chicken wings at Harts Pub are well-renowned across the city, as is their friendly staff and superior selection of hand-crafted beers.

You can really get lost in the maze that is The Dolphin Hotel. With a truly open and inviting cavalcade of rooms that offers a wealth of different dining, drinking and dancing options, this spot is so much more than just one of Sydney’s best pubs. It’s a full-on experience. Grab a glass of vino and chow down on a pizza.

With arguably the best rooftop view in Australia, The Glenmore Hotel is a favourite for out of towners and locals alike. Ideal for summer, the venue is loaded with taps and excellent gastropub feeds, including a killer steak.

The go-to LGBTQIA+ pub in Sydney has had a facelift and is back, more raucous than ever. The Imperial Hotel Erskineville has been a Sydney icon and institution since 1983. They invite you to drink and dine at the ground floor restaurant, Priscillas, drag and dance at the weekend disco in the Basement and divulge your senses in Italian food, convivial cocktails and views at their new rooftop.

Newtown is well known for its decent offering of food, beers and good times. The Courthouse Hotel is a staple for locals on account of its leafy courtyard, great selection of beers and food and friendly staff. The Courty is the ideal spot for a Saturday afternoon beer with your mates.

Immerse yourself in this 18th Century inspired London tavern with cocktails, cask ales and distinctly British eats. The Victorian-era tavern, The Duke of Clarence provides a characteristically British experience from the heart of Sydney, easily making it one of the best pubs in Sydney.

As one of the most loved old English pubs in the city – The Lord Dudley has a loyal following of local clientele for a reason. Great beers, varied and delicious dining options, friendly staff, fireplaces, board games and an ambient garden restaurant are just the start of the many drawcards of this fine establishment.Address: 236 Jersey Road, Woollahra NSW 2025

Phone: +61 2 9327 5399

Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Sat 11am-12am, Sun 12pm-10pm

An icon has been reborn. Once a desolate bar devoid of nightlife, The Lansdowne has been transformed into one of the best pubs Sydney has to offer. Owners Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham have revived the pub’s rock heritage added a touch of mary’s class. Expect pizzas, beers and more than a few cold hard tunes.

With a lovely outdoor beer garden, pool table, and to-die-for handmade pizzas, Public House Petersham should be your Inner West go-to. They also have a range of house-made seasonal food with vegan and veggo options and rotating craft beers that always keep the belly happy.

Rozelle has become a hotbed of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants and lays claim to one of the best pubs in Sydney. If you’re after a laid-back vibe with Italian cuisine, a leafy beer garden terrace and a stellar range of craft beers and wine options, The Welcome Hotel is your answer.

The Erko keep locals frothin’ with a huge range of awesome beers, an award-winning smokehouse and legendary vibes. Make the most of one of the best pubs in Inner West Sydney with $4.50 local schooners every weekday from 4-6pm, meat raffles, vinyl DJs, free pool on Monday and Tuesday or try out their wing challenge to make the wall of flame any day of the week. Get together a couple of mates and check out this one.

The Unicorn Hotel doesn’t try to be anything more than an ambient meeting place with great beer and nosh, and consequently one of the best Sydney pubs we’ve come across. They describe themselves as a proud boiling billy of Aussie wine, beer, music, art, food and conversation.

Surround yourself with log fires and 170-year-old hand-chiselled sandstone walls this Winter, not to mention some of the best wine, beer and grub the city has to offer. Soak in the historic atmosphere in the heart of the Rocks at The Hero of Waterloo.

A Surry Hills staple, Harpoon Harry has an incredible atmosphere with a different character and purpose in every room. It’s one of the best pubs in Surry Hills, and if you haven’t yet ventured inside it’s colourful, leafy depths, welcome to your new local (it’s right near central so it doesn’t matter if you don’t actually live locally).

The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel is Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel. And like the many fine wines within its historic walls, it only gets better with age. They offer plenty of award-winning beers and modern Australia cuisine, easily qualifying it as some of the best pub food in Sydney.

A big open space with a multitude of rooms to get sauced in, The Clock is pretty much the ultimate Sydney pub. With great food, cold beers, live entertainment and a beer garden that sits pride of place, it’s everything you’ve been asked for in a bar and so much more.

When it comes to pubs with views and relaxing vibes, you’d be hard-pressed to top The Newport. Make a day of heading to the Northern Beaches and while you’re there enjoy some of the best pub food Sydney has on offer. Even better, you can take your pick from the huge selection of drinks while being lulled by the soothing motion of the ocean.

No list of the best pubs in Sydney is complete without a modern-day vibe from the city’s most iconic suburb. Bondi beach Public Bar (BBPB) taps into the energy of 1970s and 80s Australian pub culture, as well as plenty of contemporary craft beers. They also feature heaps of local art, music, events and daily happy hours (yes the plural is deliberate).

For the best bourbon, craft beer and southern style bites in the Sydney CBD, look no further than Keg & Brew. They have over 30 beer taps, different specials every evening and will soon be opening a new bistro, events floor and rooftop bar.

What looks from the outside like a museum plays host to one of the most renowned and best pubs in Sydney, The Friend in Hand. Drop into this Glebe local for some crab racing, poetry reading, comedy, life drawing, or just a happy hour bev from the friendly staff.

The Henson is a playground for all adults to enjoy, focusing on quality, seasonality and sustainability. With a leafy beer garden and adjoining children’s area, art deco bar out the back and homey front bar, it is easily one of Sydney’s best pubs. And with a different deal or event on every night, you know The Henson is really there for the locals.

This underground swillhouse has been awarded one of the world’s best-hidden bars three years in a row, and for good reason. The decor, drinks and dappled light of The Baxter Inn make you feel like you’ve been transported back to the 20s and we can guarantee you won’t want to leave.

If you’re after a lively drink in the city, you can’t go past the best Irish pub in Sydney, PJ O’Brien’s. It’s great for an intimate date or large groups and the cheerful ambience will make any day infinitely better.

The Surry Hills version of Baxters, Shady Pines Saloon is another Sydney institution that never gets old, regardless of how many visits you’ve made. If you’re showing out-of-towners around the city or trying to impress a date, don’t overlook this one.

A traditional and old-school pub in Sydney CBD with a bar and restaurant, The Lord Wolseley Hotel in Ultimo is the ideal drinking hole when you want the CBD location without the city price tag or swankiness.

The Gladdy goes off on the weekend, just like your worries will with any visit to this Sydney institution. Head into The Lord Gladstone early for a quiet bevvy or save it for the end of the night if it’s going to be a wilder one.

Self-recognised as a bloody good Sydney pub, The Cricketers Arms Hotel is the ideal place for a pre or post sports game rinse. But more than that, it’s also a great spot for Rock n Roll bingo, free live jazz, pool comps and live local DJs.

We’d forgive you for mistaking The Union Hotel for a local brewery or distillery – what with 22 taps hosting a rotating list of beers and 24 gins dominated by Aussie distillers. Their Americana-themed restaurant, Big Arties has a constantly evolving seasonal menu with some of the best pub food in Sydney. Soak up the classic pub feel with the large benches in the front room or enjoy the light-filled cocktail lounges in the back for a more intimate dining experience.

If you want to get fat and drink like a champion, Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern should be your pub of choice. With Mary’s burgers and fried chicken, live music on Thursdays and every type of alcoholic beverage your heart desires, this Sydney CBD pub can do no wrong.

A Merivale revamp with all the trimmings, Vic on the Park has become a hive of entertainment and infrastructure. Adding a touch of class, some renewed menu options and a plethora of Persian rugs, this little spot has a lot going for it. Looking for a pub with a basketball hoop? You found it.

The name of this pub is pretty self-explanatory – enjoy a beer in a deluxe setting. Beer Deluxe proudly claim that everything they do, they do for beer. Head to one of Sydney’s best pubs at King Street Wharf for some incredible live music, over 150 international craft beers, alfresco dining and stunning harbour views.

Since serving naval officers from as early as 1927, The Royal Albert Hotel has been committed to being one of the best pubs in Surry Hills by providing the most relaxing spot to dine and drink.

If you’re at Central Train Station, don’t bother Googling pubs near me, just head straight to the Dove and Olive around the corner. They have a comprehensively delicious American-inspired menu (claiming the best pub food in Sydney) to add to an ambient setting for a drink or five.

The Edinburgh Castle Hotel has been filling Sydney bellies since 1885. Paying tribute to its rich history – it was once known as Henry Lawson’s chosen writing nook – while also being a pioneer in the Sydney pub scene, ‘The Eddy’ offers everything you love in a Sydney CBD pub.