Latest reviews from Sydney
| 62 /100 19 KENT STREET, THE ROCKS “Visited on a Tuesday afternoon while in Sydney. In the rock area of Sydney. Large bar area with plenty of seating and the brew kit visible from the bar. Nice selection of their own beers, but not a big range.“ |
| 78 /100 39-43 ARGYLE ST THE ROCKS “Based in the Rocks area of central Sydney just a short walk from circular quay. Lots on small tight rooms with seating and a small bar with 12 taps of their own beer. Has an historic feel, decent knowledgeable staff.“ |
| 64 /100 Fortune of War (Bar) 137 GEORGE STREET “Pub in the Rocks area of Sydney, Just a short distance from Circular Quay. States is Sydneys Oldest Pub, so assume it is. Quite a tight place with a central bar and seating round the outside. Also an outside seating area. Beers were mainly national and Macro.“ |
| 68 /100 19 KENT STREET, THE ROCKS “A modern touch to an old skool boozer, which is apparently Sydney’s oldest hotel. Lots of brickwork and dark wood. Pretty close to the Circular Quay. Top quality locally brewed beer but no paddles. Working WiFi and helpful staff. Well worth stopping by.“ |
| 76 /100 39-43 ARGYLE ST THE ROCKS “At “The Rocks” and close to Circular Quay. Probably your first stop after getting off the ferry! It’s an old brown bar and brewery with lots of history and plenty of rooms. They have 12 taps and a small selection of cans and bottles. Paddles of four beers are available. Working WiFi and great staff. Enjoyed my time here and will return.“ |
| 82 /100 Bitter Phew (Bar) 1/137 OXFORD STREET “D’phooq I hadn’t reviewed this yet? Great place hidden away yet in a key location in Sydney. Killer tap list and loads of bottles. Love the ‘biance. Great chaps there. You can order food.“ |
| 72 /100 29/43-45 EAST ESPLANADE, MANLY “A pleasant if bustling brewpub. Overlooking the wharf with two stories. A nice place to grab a brew after walking the split-manly route. Visited in 2023 during first trip to Sydney.“ |
| 78 /100 UNITS D & E, 76 WILFORD ST., NEWTOWN “A very solid brewery, just off the main drag. Large very bright and loud old warehouse space, converted to a cosy/lively brewpub. Several of their own brews. Solid. First brewery visited on first trip to Sydney in 2023.“ |
| 72 /100 19 KENT STREET, THE ROCKS “Visited as it's an iconic venue as well as its own brews. It was a busy time and bar staff were doing well to keep up the service. Crowded and hot inside, cooler and lees people outside. Beers were disappointing but a good visit none-the-less, just for the venue.“ |
| 76 /100 29/43-45 EAST ESPLANADE, MANLY “A modern upper-level premises with glimpses of the water if you sit outside in the right place. Lots of indoor seating as well as seating on the deck overlooking the street. About 12 taps, mostly their own brews. It's pub-style and lacks the ambience of a brew-pub. Staff were quick to serve (before I had time to peruse the beer menu or the chalk board). Lots of people in for a beer appreciation lunch, which didn't affect service levels. Only offer large glass sizes (schooner and pints); didn't see if flights on offer. Prices are Sydney craft beer standard.“ |
| 82 /100 Harts Pub (Bar) CORNER OF ESSEX & GLOUCESTER STREETS, THE ROCKS “Great old pub in The Rocks, Sydney comprising a number of small rooms (was once three terrace houses), all with a nice ambience. Had about 12 taps on when I visited, all on rotation and descriptions on display above the bar. Each tap is numbered so staff don't necessarily know what each tap pours so best to order by number. Selection was quite good with mostly non-NSW beers. It was busy but not overly crowded so service was good and the staff were friendly.“ |
| 74 /100 Pumphouse (Bar) 17 LITTLE PIER ST, DARLING HARBOUR “Recently refurbished (not too much as it's heritage listed). Beer list is 'Conservative craft'. Not many mainstream beers, nothing really out there. A very pleasant stop if you're trekking around this part of town. I usually get at least one tick here.“ |
| 88 /100 The Oak Barrel (Beer Store) 152 ELIZABETH ST, CBD “Visited 7/11/2022. Best place I found to buy beers in Sydney (ciders and wine too). Very well displayed stock, great service. Doesn’t look a lot from outside but is a treasure trove inside. Bought a dozen cans from NZ and Aus. Could have bought so many more!“ |
| 76 /100 19 KENT STREET, THE ROCKS “Visited 5/11/2022. A must visit Rocks pub for both its history and its own brewed beers. Was very busy on the Saturday mid-afternoon we visited both inside and out and super noisy (mostly due to a large inside table of folk from the US Navy who ignored requests from the bar staff to tone it down - especially their swearing). Had a paddle of Lord Nelson beers, all were decent. And fish and chips was good too. Bar staff were kept very busy but were efficient and friendly. Good visit, mostly.“ |
| 68 /100 The Hero of Waterloo (Bar) 81 LOWER FORT STREET MILLERS POINT (THE ROCKS) “Visited 5/11/2022. A must visit Rocks pub from an historic perspective. The beer choice is mostly Malt Shovel’s James Squires beer and they take great pride that they have been judged one of THE top places to drink Guinness (if that’s your thing definitely do that there). Service was friendly.“ |
| 70 /100 39-43 ARGYLE ST THE ROCKS “Visited 3/11/2022. Multi-room historic pub, good amount of seating outside on busy Argyle Street. 9 of their beers on offer today. Had a paddle of 4 for $19. Pretty good beers. Staff were a bit aloof. That aside, decent visit.“ |
| 66 /100 29/43-45 EAST ESPLANADE, MANLY “Visited 25/10/2022. Quick visit prior to getting ferry back to Sydney. Nice place, decent enough 4 Pines range though very expensive. Had the nitro stout, which was good. Service was only okay. The downstairs bit mentioned by others appeared to be an independent venue and didn’t look at all rare beer like but didn’t go in.“ |
| 70 /100 NORTHERN END, OVERSEAS PASSENGER TERMINAL, CIRCULAR QUAY W, THE ROCKS “Visited 24/10/2022. Evening meal here. Great location overlooking opera house. Multiple house taps with a small number of specials brewed on site, but the majority at Malt Shovel. Available in paddles. Service was quick and functional but not at all friendly, but will be staying very close to this place during upcoming second week in Sydney and will revisit.“ |
| 74 /100 Beer Cartel (Beer Store) UNIT 9, 87 RESERVE ROAD, ARTARMON “Ordered online delivery from UK so I had a box of beers available on arrival. Got a selection of 24 cans including 8 from ACT, a few from NZ and the rest were all new to me breweries from around Australia. Good prices, quick delivery. Well worthwhile doing this.“ |
| 64 /100 Dan Murphy’s (All Sydney Locations) (Beer Store) CNR OLD ILLAWARRA ROAD & MENAI ROAD, MENAI CENTRAL “Of the chains I went to during my visit I quite liked Dan Murphy’s for picking up some reasonably priced new breweries, but their convenience factor is better than the experience itself.“ |
| 70 /100 Harts Pub (Bar) CORNER OF ESSEX & GLOUCESTER STREETS, THE ROCKS “Cool rambling place with multiple rooms, which gives an interesting ambience. However this is a tourist area and plenty of people here for food which reduces the beer ambience. Twelve taps with mostly beers you don’t often see, but nothing exceptional - IPAs lagers, red ale, stout. Friendly staff and quick service even on a Friday night. Comfortable ambience.
“ |
| 82 /100 The Noble Hops (Bar) 125 REDFERN STREET “Super chill vibe with chill peeps in Redfern (Sydney). Solid list of 10-ish taps, well curated, smaller sizes for tickers who want to run through a shitload. Gotta love the likes of Wildflower and One Drop, premier local Aussie breweries, plus the obscure but good Bracket, being on tap. Prices average. A nice haunt if you’re in the ‘hood.“ |
| 80 /100 Royal Albert Hotel (Bar) 140 COMMONWEALTH STREET, SURRY HILLS “Solid little pubby spot in Surry Hills. English feel to it, dank and cozy. Good little semi-outdoor garden. Solid list of taps, good variety of styles, some sours and a hand pump. Very solid food. Prices pretty typical. Great service.“ |
| 84 /100 The Oak Barrel (Beer Store) 152 ELIZABETH ST, CBD “Super sick shop right in the Sydney CBD. Don't just look at the front cooler, round the corner and you'll find hundreds of bottles/cans from all across the world. Staff is helpful if you need it. Prices are a little on the higher end but it's one of the most convenient spots if you're near downtown. Good selection of whiskeys and wines too if you're into those.“ |
| 72 /100 Bitter Phew (Bar) 1/137 OXFORD STREET “Visited NYE but early (2-3pm), only a couple of people. Everybody much younger than me but music was tremendous (all punk, mostly very recent but I heard The Saints and The Stooges). The beer list is extensive and eye-wateringly expensive, even by Sydney standards. But I sat watching Oxford St. for a couple of hours and listened to some great music. Not a place to go for a session, just go for rare beer.“ |
| 44 /100 Keg & Brew (Bar) 26 FOVEAUX ST, SURRY HILLS “A regular bar with some craft selection. Staff are not interested in beer. Good food, but I wouldn't recommend this place if you're visiting Sydney looking for good beer.“ |
| 54 /100 Beer Cartel (Beer Store) UNIT 9, 87 RESERVE ROAD, ARTARMON “Not the best bottlo in Sydney, but a good range. Place smells a bit funny.“ |
| 74 /100 Vine Providore of Fine Wine (Beer Store) SHOP 1, 780 BOURKE STREET, REDFERN “This is primarily a wine shop with an excellent range of wines you don’t see in the big chains. It also has a great selection of craft beers, mostly Australian, but a fair few from around the world. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable.“ |
| 48 /100 Frankie’s Pizza (Bar) 50 HUNTER STREET “Thought I'd drop in to this place since we were staying nearby and although it has a certain charm about it, I doubt I'll be back. The deal breaker is the plastic beer mugs and wine glasses. We were there during the daily half price 'happy hour' (4-6pm) which means it is a bargain, but....plastic mugs.... no thanks! Pretty pathy service too. They have a dozen or so taps with a variety of craft offerings, pizza by the slice served on paper plates and a selection of pinball machines. The main bar at the back has a stage and the overall venue, as others have noted, has a distinct dive bar rock/punk vibe. I certainly see its appeal, but there's many better places in Sydney these days.“ |
| 70 /100 230-232 MILITARY ROAD, NEUTRAL BAY “Pleasant small bar with two rooms. Friendly service. Six or seven taps with craft beers, two their own brews. I think they had food, but it was a quick visit and I am not sure“ |
| 82 /100 Royal Albert Hotel (Bar) 140 COMMONWEALTH STREET, SURRY HILLS “Great character, solid rotating tap selection.“ |
| 72 /100 29/43-45 EAST ESPLANADE, MANLY “Two stories with the bottom area being rare beer and the top being more of a brewpub with standard fare. Unfortunately the downstairs was closed during my visit. Nice outdoor patio upstairs. Service was good and they knew their beers. 9 beers on up stairs with fligths available. Did not try the food on my visit. Prices seemed fair. Would like to visit the downstairs next time!“ |
| 66 /100 Frankie’s Pizza (Bar) 50 HUNTER STREET “A punk rock bar/restaurant with a decent tap selection. Front area only has 3 taps but more in the back. Dimly lit. Gets crazy when work lets off. Service was good considering the rush but not beer oriented. The slice of pizza I had was good not great. Prices were cheap. Not really a beer destination IMO.“ |
| 82 /100 Royal Albert Hotel (Bar) 140 COMMONWEALTH STREET, SURRY HILLS “A bit of a beat up old school bar attached to a gambling hall. A bit beat up but nice character. Smaller rooms. Service was good. Great tap selection and half pours available. Did not try the food on my visit. Prices were fair overall. Well worth a stop.“ |
| 80 /100 122 FLINDERS STREET, DARLINGHURST “Beer bar in a narrow corner building with a standard pub feel. A few non-invasive TVs and bar in the back. Service was good. 20 taps with flights available. Cans and bottles as well. Prices seemed fair overall. A solid stop.“ |
| 70 /100 19 KENT STREET, THE ROCKS “A large pub feel to the place with a central bar and a few TVs throughout the spot. Place was packed on a Sunday afternoon. Service was a bit slow as they appeared a bit overwhelmed with the crowd. Had 8 of their own taps and flights of 5 were available for a fair price. Did not try the food on my visit. A decent spot.“ |
| 94 /100 Royal Albert Hotel (Bar) 140 COMMONWEALTH STREET, SURRY HILLS “Most exciting range of tap craft beers.
awesome rage of cans.
3 or 4 taps for sours etc.
music plays at a fine level.
staff very welcoming.
I had a great curry one Tues or wed, curry day. One of the best.“ |
| 70 /100 Bitter Phew (Bar) 1/137 OXFORD STREET “Oxford St not as deserted as rumoured, and this place was busy on a weeknight mid evening. It is upstairs with windows over the street and the layout has an oddly Thai vibe. Friendly enough staff with their own approach to service (washed then wiped glasses, adjustable taps set to a trickle) - which I liked as much on principle as anything else. Evidently a quick turnover of beer - a couple of things came on while I was walking there. Greetings for regulars. Food seemed to be being ordered and delivered from offsite but I didn't eat. Good place.“ |
| 50 /100 T2, 2 AIRPORT DR “There are Coopers bars at Adelaide and Sydney but decent beer is hard to come by at Australian airports. This is in the domestic terminal just below security. A dozen or more taps, didn't look at bottles. Could have ticked a few but had Modus Operandi Sonic Prayer, which was good and fresh. You might ask for more but you are stuck at the airport.“ |
| 62 /100 The Cidery Bar & Kitchen (Bar) 389 PITT ST “Bar in a shopping mall attached to big hotel. But it is better than that makes it sound. It’s comfortable and friendly. At 5:30 on a Monday not too busy! There are about ten taps, primarily Sydney Brewery and a reasonable range of cans and bottles. Happy hour is very affordable, otherwise maybe a bit pricey.“ |
| 92 /100 The Oak Barrel (Beer Store) 152 ELIZABETH ST, CBD “This is by far the best place in Oz. Staff was beyond fantastic and gave lots of helpful advice. Lots of one off/seasonals stuff. Good selection across styles and breweries. They do low volume of IPAs and Pale Ales to keep things fresh. Wifi. Growler fills. They hit the right note on so many levels. Excellent place.“ |
| 68 /100 Bitter Phew (Bar) 1/137 OXFORD STREET “Many other beer bars in Oz feel like pubs but this is definitely more like a beer bar from back home. Varied list of oz and international brews on bottle and tap, but we ordered three beers and only one was good, other two were just meh. Staff was ok but definitely not too friendly. I am sure if I had better beers I might give it a bit higher rating but given other beer bars that are less hardcore seem to hit things better, I wasn’t massively massively impressed.“ |
| 74 /100 29/43-45 EAST ESPLANADE, MANLY “Friendly staff. Oddly the top floor restaurant is totally separate than the bottom restaurant, which is where they have the experimental and one off beers. We hit thre for a good lunch and did a flight. Beers are good to fairly good. They focus a lot on burgers and I think the standard pale ale is the best match for that. Not cheap but right by ferry terminal so definitely worth a stop“ |
| 80 /100 The Welcome Hotel (Bar) 91 EVANS ST, ROZELLE “I was staying at an Air b n b near here so strolled in one afternoon to check out. Just went to the pub, not the garden but it’s a cozy traditional Australian pub, but instead of the usual swill has 12-15 quality craft on tap. Good service. Not really aimed at geeks but certainly worth going if you are in the area. With all the places in Marrickville it would be hard to figure why you would go here, but still a good place“ |
| 78 /100 Royal Albert Hotel (Bar) 140 COMMONWEALTH STREET, SURRY HILLS “A really nice little neighbourhood pub in inner suburban Surry Hills, which happens to have 18 craft beer taps. The front bar has an old school pub vibe and the indoor dining area is quite dark, but the small beer garden is a great space to while away a couple of hours with decent beers. They have a menu which sounds nice and what we saw looked good, but on this visit didn't try anything.“ |
| 90 /100 Royal Albert Hotel (Bar) 140 COMMONWEALTH STREET, SURRY HILLS “Great venue with 18 Taps inc two casks! Right in the middle of CBD sydney“ |
