The Great Northern Hotel

The Great Northern Hotel is a heritage-listed pub in the heart of Chatswood, with a substantial two-level layout and a broad mix of spaces. Its offering includes dining areas, bars, three beer gardens, a sports bar and TAB, a bottleshop, and function rooms, making it suited to anything from a casual drink to a larger gathering. The venue is open seven days and trades until late, according to its website.

The 400-seat restaurant leans into a classic English pub aesthetic, combining timber panelling, a sandstone fireplace with a mounted stag, French bistro-style seating and low table lighting with more contemporary design. It is presented as a casual dining destination for Sydney’s North Shore, with enough character for a relaxed date or dinner with friends, while the generous seating and function rooms also make it practical for groups. The website does not provide enough detail to assess its current family facilities, so visitors with children should check directly before booking.

Outdoor space is a major part of the venue. Three beer gardens sit behind the street frontage, including a large dining courtyard shaded by a Chinese elm and enclosed by climbing fig-covered walls. The courtyard has an all-weather marquee and welcomes dogs. A separate sports beer garden has screens showing major sports, along with bar-style and booth seating; the site notes that smoking is permitted there and that the area is heated in winter. The private highway courtyard offers a quieter retreat, with palms around the enclosed space, and is also described as heated in winter, with smoking permitted.

Inside, the Front Bar and TAB have a retro sports-bar character, vintage wall tiles and traditional public-bar touches. The Lounge Bar is more upbeat, with bar stools, low tub chairs, music until late and a pool table, while connecting to the large wraparound main bar. The drinks selection includes dozens of beer taps, Carlton Draught Tank Beer, a hand-selected wine list and cocktails. The website also names Wagyu rump, eye fillet and sirloin steaks, served with sides, in a promotional offer. Loyalty members receive 10% off every day, adding another reason for regular North Shore locals to return.