Best Pubs in Sydney (2026)
Looking for the best pubs in Sydney? We've rounded up 125 of the city's standout spots — from neighbourhood favourites to buzzy new openings. Every venue is ranked by our Spot Score, which weighs reputation, popularity and freshness, so you can book with confidence. Filter by suburb, price or what's open now to find your next go-to.
The Australian pub is a social institution — somewhere to catch the footy, settle in for a counter meal or while away a sunny afternoon in the beer garden. These are Sydney's most-loved locals and historic watering holes.
125 spots
Town Hall Hotel Newtown
$Enduring, edgy institution with live bands and open mike nights, plus a bistro serving pub grub.
The Strawberry
$Old-school bar with a bistro dishing up modern pub fare until late in an enclosed rooftop courtyard.
The Great Northern Hotel
$$Long-running, wood-panelled pub with a grill menu, plus a leafy beer garden and TAB facilities.
The Dolphin Hotel
$$Burgers & steaks served in a buzzing pub with 3 levels, modern decor & an outdoor terrace.
The Orchard Hotel
$$Traditional pub food in a spacious, contemporary venue with polished-wood floors and a beer garden.
ArtHouse Hotel
$$Stylish 3-storey venue with a restaurant & bars in a renovated arts school from 1836.
The Cricketers Balmain
$$Bars in Balmain, Sydney.
Station Hotel Parramatta
Bars in Parramatta, Sydney.
Royal Hotel Paddington
$$Multilevel venue with a swanky cocktail lounge and a smart sports bar, plus upscale pub grub.
The Occidental Hotel
$Casual hotel in an 1850s building, offering a high-end steak & seafood restaurant & 2 classic bars.
Willoughby Hotel
$$Craft beers and gastropub fare in a large venue, plus live sports screened on several TVs.
The Belvedere Hotel
$$Polished pub with a terrace & an upstairs restaurant serving classic Mediterranean cuisine.
Garry Owen Hotel
$Bistro food & sports screenings in a quaint, enduring venue with an upstairs balcony.
The Commercial Hotel
$$Expansive pub/restaurant with a bistro serving comfort food, plus a beer garden and a sports bar.
Sanctuary Hotel
$Plush, vintage-chic watering hole with sports on TV, dishing up pizzas and classic bistro meals.
3 Wise Monkeys Pub
$$Victorian building with an English-style pub, a cocktail lounge and a disco, plus 10 TVs for sports.
Surry Hills Hotel
$Long-standing, unpretentious pub with live sports and a lounge with a fireplace.
Ivanhoe Hotel Manly
$$Bistro food and events in a stylish, 3-floor pub with a maritime theme and a rooftop bar.
Pubs by suburb
Zoom in on the best pubs in Sydney's most popular neighbourhoods.
Pubs guides for Sydney
roundupSydney Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music
From hidden CBD cocktail rooms to Bondi beachfront drinks, these are Sydney bars worth choosing for their setting, speciality and atmosphere.
Read guide →roundupFree Things to Do in Sydney
Plan a free Sydney day around harbour walks, coastal views, beaches, parks and lookouts, with honest notes on the paid experiences worth considering.
Read guide →roundupSydney With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
From harbour parks and Northern Beaches to Sydney Park and hands-on challenges, these family outings make it easier to plan a day with kids.
Read guide →Pubs in Sydney — FAQs
What are the best pubs in Sydney?+
Our top-rated pubs in Sydney are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Sydney pubs ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter pubs by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many pubs are listed in Sydney?+
We currently feature 125 pubs across Sydney and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.