The Occidental Hotel

The Occidental Hotel is a heritage pub in Sydney CBD, occupying a Victorian Regency-style building whose history dates back to the 1850s. Located in Wynyard Square, close to Wynyard Station and major tourist attractions, it is one of the city’s oldest working hotels and one of the last five surviving hotels of its style. Its foundations are Heritage Listed, giving the venue a strong sense of place without taking it out of the present day.

The ground floor is home to two bars and a bistro, with a relaxed setting, friendly atmosphere and a broad pub menu. The bistro covers familiar hotel fare such as the Occy Burger, club sandwich, fish and chips, chicken schnitzel, chicken parmigiana and Angus steaks, alongside sharing plates including karaage chicken pieces, hot chicken wings, nachos and cheeseburger spring rolls. There are also vegetarian choices, salads and a prawn pasta with a vegetarian option available. The drinks list includes a rotating-looking mix of familiar Australian beers, pale ales, lager, stout, cider and wines by the glass, giving groups plenty of scope for a casual drink with food.

For a more formal meal, the Fairmont Restaurant occupies the first floor and is set up for lunch bookings, banquets, special occasions, client meetings and catch-ups. Its menu leans towards classic restaurant dining, with Sydney Rock oysters, garlic prawns, scallops, steak cuts, lamb loin, veal cutlet and desserts such as lemon meringue tart and chocolate ooze cake. The restaurant also offers a range of sides and sauces, making it suitable for diners looking for something more substantial than a standard pub meal.

The venue’s separate function room is on the second floor, while accommodation occupies the third and fourth floors. Functions can be arranged for planned events and group occasions, and the hotel’s layout makes it possible to choose between the bar and bistro, restaurant or dedicated event space. Accommodation includes free Wi-Fi, though most rooms have shared bathrooms and the property does not have on-site parking. Overall, The Occidental suits city workers meeting for lunch, visitors wanting a historic CBD pub, groups organising a function and diners after a choice between relaxed bistro food and a more traditional restaurant setting. Its two-bar layout and central location also make it a practical option for a casual solo stop or an easy catch-up in Sydney CBD.