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Pull Up a Stool at Sydney’s Cosiest Winter Pubs
These cosy Sydney pubs with fireplaces are the perfect spots for a red wine and hearty Sunday roast.
When the temperature drops, Sydney’s best pubs for warming up include The Dry Dock in Balmain for old-English charm and fire-kissed pub classics, The Duke of Clarence in the CBD for a roaring fireplace tucked behind a 500-strong spirits list, and Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington for old-world portraits and a pint of Old Speckled Hen by the fire. There is an unquestionable nip in the air which means winter is well and truly here, so we’re leaning full tilt into the cosy-core vibes. Whether it’s a slight chill or a full-scale cold snap, you’ll find us curling up in these glorious pubs for the next little while.
From basement whisky dens to beachfront revamps, this is our edit of the coziest fireplaces in the city, so hang up your swimsuit and get the gang together for a toasty tipple, a hearty meal and the best spot in the house this weekend. Enjoy our pick of Sydney’s cosiest pubs with fireplaces, guaranteed to turn up the heat when you’re feeling the chills.
In This Guide:
Best Pubs with Fireplaces in the Inner West
The Dry Dock
If you’re craving a winter warmer with a side of old-English charm, The Dry Dock in Balmain has you covered. Their Lounge Bar is a snug little sanctuary where plush leather booths, a crackling double-fronted fireplace, and late-night cocktails come together in one gloriously toasty package. It’s the kind of spot that beckons you to settle in and stay a while.
And while the fire might draw you in, it’s the food that’ll make you linger. Head Chef Ben Sitton’s winter menu is all about fire-kissed flavours and elevated pub classics — from salt cod croquettes and steak frites to duck liver parfait and desserts you can’t say no to.
Whether you’re fresh off a brisk harbour stroll or simply chasing a seat by the flames, The Dry Dock’s Lounge Bar is your go-to for fireside lounging.
Suburb Balmain
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Gastropub
Best For Date night, group dining, late night
The Glebe Hotel
Nestled within the historic The Glebe Hotel, you’ll find the venue’s formal dining room – The Stables. The exposed bricks and central fireplace emanate visual and physical cosy vibes whilst the menu serves up pub classics alongside some fancier options. Once you’ve finished soaking up the warmth, peruse the historical archive lining the walls of the public bar.
Suburb Glebe
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Group dining, date night
The Duck Inn
A neighbourhood pub hidden away in the back streets of Chippendale, The Duck Inn is loved as much for its warm, laidback ambience as it is for its craft beer and menu. There are comfy couches, bookcases and a timber bar inside while the beer garden outside is intimate, tree-lined and has a fire pit – a sought-after watering hole in both the winter and summer months.
Suburb Chippendale
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Group dining, outdoor dining, locals
Best Pubs with Fireplaces in the CBD and The Rocks
The Duke of Clarence
Nestled in an alleyway next to The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence offers a quintessentially British experience and is as cosy as it gets. This 19th-century-inspired English tavern boasts a 500-strong line-up of spirits and British eats that tick every comfort food box. We’re talking Scotch eggs, fish finger sandwiches, ploughman’s plates and traditional roasts (Yorkies included). Right up the back of the hotel you’ll find a cosy living room situation with a roaring fireplace surrounded by books and portraits. You’ll feel snug as a bug.
Suburb Sydney
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Group dining, locals
The Doss House
Tucked away in Sydney’s historic quarter, The Doss House is a cool basement bar in The Rocks. From boarding house to opium den, the building has a rich history and the latest tenants have created five cosy bar spaces. Front and centre is the whisky offering, with over 150 behind the bar, along with a range of signature cocktails. All the fireplaces throughout are original, too!
Suburb The Rocks
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Cocktail bar
Best For Date night, late night, locals
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
An oldie but a goodie, The Lord Nelson is Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel. It has been restored to its original charm with the much-welcomed addition of the award-winning microbrewery. Still drawing a crowd, the food at The Lord Nelson is classic pub grub, and to keep you toasty make sure to secure a seat near the heritage fireplace.
Suburb The Rocks
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Group dining, locals
Best Pubs with Fireplaces in the Eastern Suburbs and Surry Hills
Lord Dudley Hotel
While there’s no shortage of English-style pubs in Sydney, few possess quintessential British charm like this corner pub, and come wintertime, you can nestle by the open fire and enjoy a pint of Old Speckled Hen.
The redbrick exterior looks more like a Tudor-style manor than a pub, while the old-world charms of Old Blighty continue inside with gold-rimmed portraits of dukes and duchesses and a room dedicated to mohair sofas circa 1930s and an inviting fireplace. Btw, the food is amazing too.
Suburb Paddington
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Date night, locals
Dove and Olive
This iconic Surry Hills watering hole keeps things traditional with happy hours, meal deals, trivia nights and their super strength gas fireplace. As you warm up your extremities, dine on equally soul-warming bites like chicken wings, meat pies, nachos, crab risotto and sticky beef short ribs with a spiced coffee rub. This is wholesome winter dining out at its finest.
Suburb Surry Hills
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Group dining, budget-friendly, locals
Best Pubs with Fireplaces on the North Shore and Northern Beaches
The Longueville Hotel
Affectionately known as The Longy, this is the locals’ watering hole. This refurbished hotel offers up classic modern Australian pub food. There are four bars as well as an aesthetically pleasing beer garden, ideal for Sunday afternoon drinks. Enjoy either the indoor or outdoor fireplaces on a cold winter’s day.
Suburb Lane Cove
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Group dining, outdoor dining, weekend plans
Hotel Steyne
Manly’s beachfront pub, The Steyne, is the place to be even when the mercury drops. Hotel Steyne has been given a much-needed revamp in recent years to modernise this hardwearing hotel. Settle in by the fire in the Steyne Bar with a vino or two and a few slices of some of the best pizza in Manly.
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub
Best For Waterfront, group dining, weekend plans
The Treehouse
Mismatched lighting, provedore crates, rustic stools, vintage Coke signs, and bright botanicals, The Treehouse is eclectic in all the right ways. While the fireplace isn’t as rustic as some establishments, the log-free, glass enclosure still manages to create a cosy atmosphere for a glass of mulled wine and a delicious feed. The menu is modern Australian fare and includes slow cooked lamb, confit duck leg, market fish, and handmade spinach and ricotta gnocchi. No pub grub in these parts.
Suburb North Sydney
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Modern Australian
Best For Date night, group dining
The Newport
Although loved by locals and day trippers in the summer months for their winning combo of alfresco dining and waterfront views, Merivale’s The Newport is equally popular in the wintertime. With a handful of outdoor firepits, you can snack and drink amongst the beautiful scenery without feeling the winter chill. If you are looking for an upscale experience indoors, then high-end brasserie Bert’s is also situated on the sprawling grounds – it ticks every box for a cosy meal and beverage.
Suburb Newport
Price Guide $$
Cuisine Pub fare
Best For Waterfront, group dining, weekend plans
Frequently Asked Questions about Sydney’s Best Pubs With Fireplaces
Several Sydney pubs feature genuine open or heritage fireplaces rather than gas inserts. The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks has a heritage fireplace dating back to its original build as Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel. The Doss House, also in The Rocks, retains original fireplaces across its five basement bar spaces. Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington and The Glebe Hotel in Glebe both centre their dining rooms around a traditional open fire, making them reliable picks for anyone specifically seeking the crackle and warmth of a real fireplace rather than an electric or gas alternative.
Yes, for those who prefer alfresco winter drinking, a handful of Sydney pubs offer outdoor fire pits. The Newport on the Northern Beaches has several fire pits scattered across its waterfront grounds, letting guests enjoy the harbour views without the chill. The Duck Inn in Chippendale has a fire pit in its tree-lined beer garden, popular in both winter and summer. These options suit groups who want an outdoor setting without sacrificing warmth, and are worth booking ahead given their popularity on cold, clear evenings.
The Duke of Clarence in the CBD is a strong choice for a traditional Sunday roast, serving classic British roasts with Yorkshire puddings alongside its fireplace-lit living room at the rear of the venue. The Dry Dock in Balmain also suits the occasion, with Head Chef Ben Sitton’s winter menu built around fire-kissed, elevated pub classics served near a double-fronted fireplace. Both venues pair a substantial, comforting meal with genuine fireside seating, making them well suited to a long, unhurried Sunday session.
Hotel Steyne on Manly’s beachfront is the standout option for a fireside drink with a coastal setting. Recently revamped, the Steyne Bar area lets guests settle by the fire with a wine and a slice of pizza while still being steps from the beach. It’s a good pick for anyone wanting the atmosphere of a winter pub without leaving the coast, and works well for a low-key afternoon or evening out on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks holds the title of Sydney’s oldest continually licensed hotel and has been restored to showcase its original heritage character, including its fireplace. It now operates an award-winning microbrewery alongside classic pub food, making it a destination for both history and a proper winter warm-up. Its long-standing status and central Rocks location make it one of the most frequently recommended fireplace pubs in the city.
If you’re like us and love Sydney’s cosy pubs with fireplaces, then check out our favourite spots for a Sunday roast and good pub food.
