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The Best Pubs in Sydney CBD For a Pint
Looking for somewhere to enjoy a bev? Let our edit of the best pubs in Sydney CBD guide you to your dream locale.
For many Sydneysiders, popping into a pub is the best way to unwind on the weekend, or after a hard day at work. With a casual, fuss-free vibe, the best pubs beckon us to come in and relax with the help of an ice-cold bevvy, a crispy schnitty, and, sometimes, fare that’s on the fancier side.
The city’s pub scene is vast and diverse and packed with everything from old-school boozers and gastropubs to beer gardens, rooftops and party pubs.
So next time you’re in need of a beer (or a frose!) and a feed, head to one of the best pubs in Sydney CBD and surrounding ‘burbs.
Best Historic Pubs in Sydney CBD
Fortune Of War
If you want a Sydney pub with a bit of actual history behind it, start here. Dating back to 1828, the Fortune of War is Sydney’s oldest continuously licensed pub, tucked into the heart of The Rocks with its original Hamper Bar, high ceilings and plenty of old-school character. There’s a no-frills bistro serving pub classics, a solid lineup of beers on tap and live music across the week, while the decision to skip the pokies helps preserve its proper local-pub feel. It’s tourist-friendly by necessity, but step up to the bar and you’ll still get a taste of the old Rocks.
Suburb: The Rocks
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Live music, Budget-friendly
The Lord Nelson
Historic and trendy at once, Sydney’s oldest continuously licensed pub is also an award-winning brewery. Fittingly located in The Rocks, The Lord Nelson has an old-world English charm, harbour views, and a loyal bunch of locals.
Tuck into the pub classic beef pie with mushy peas or fish and chips while sipping on a seasonal ale and enjoying the laidback charm of one of the best pubs in Sydney CBD.
Sitchu Tip: For a similarly chic yet relaxed vibe, pop into The Oaks in Neutral Bay, or The Tilbury in Woolloomooloo.
Suburb: The Rocks
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans, Waterfront
Hero of Waterloo
Along with being the oldest pub in the country and heritage-listed to boot, Hero of Waterloo is one of Australia’s eeriest sites. Built by convicts, the hotel was a smuggler’s dream – they’d use a secret tunnel in the cellar to transport their goods directly to the wharf.
To this day, it’s also claimed the hotel is haunted by its former landlady, Anne Kirkman, who was thrown down the cellar steps in 1849 by her husband. It’s said her restless spirit keeps tabs on the pub and sometimes plays the piano when it’s closed for the night.
Where else can you find a pint, meal, live music and a ghost tour all at once?!
Suburb: Millers Point
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Group dining, Weekend plans
Need To Know: Ghost tours run on site.
Best Waterfront Pubs in Sydney CBD
The Oriana
The Overseas Passenger Terminal has a four-level drinking and dining destination where the harbour views are very much part of the appeal. The Oriana moves from an open-air beer garden on the ground floor to a lively pub upstairs, where you’ll find oysters, seafood platters and classic pub fare alongside a late-night martini list. There’s also a more refined restaurant above, plus a dedicated events space, making this one of those rare CBD spots that can take you from afternoon beers to dinner without needing to move on. We love that!
Suburb: The Rocks
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Waterfront, Weekend plans, Group dining
The Glenmore Hotel
For some of the best harbour views and great pub grub, The Glenmore Hotel is an old favourite. A tourist hotspot, from the heritage bar downstairs to the happening rooftop, there is always a good time to be had.
To satisfy your comfort food cravings, take a bite into their classic pub food dishes like the salt and pepper squid or red wine braised lamb shanks. Delicious!
Suburb: The Rocks
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Waterfront, Weekend plans, Late night
Best Rooftop Pub in Sydney CBD
The Australian Heritage Hotel
Right in the heart of The Rocks, The Australian Heritage Hotel has been pouring beers since 1914 and still feels proudly old-school. The big draw is its seriously Aussie food and drink list, with more than 130 independent Australian beers and pizzas topped with native meats, including the famous Coat of Arms with kangaroo and emu, plus a crocodile number. Head upstairs to the rooftop for harbour views and a little more sunshine with your schooner, or settle into the heritage pub downstairs for the full old-Sydney experience.
Suburb: The Rocks
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Locals, Weekend plans, Group dining
Hotel Palisade
Hotel Palisade has a way of seducing every patron that walks through its doors leading many to say it’s one of the best pubs in Sydney thanks to the character-laden charms of the Public House on the ground floor to the plush styling of the rooftop Henry Deane.
A step back from quintessential pub fare, the Public House menu lists dishes more along the lines of the cayenne spice whitebait or beef rump soba noodle salad.
Suburb: Millers Point
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Date night, Special occasion, Weekend plans
Need To Know: The ground-floor Public House and rooftop Henry Deane operate as two distinct spaces with different menus.
Best Pub for a British Feed in Sydney CBD
The Duke of Clarence
Nestled in an alleyway next to The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence offers a quintessentially British experience in the heart of the CBD. This 19th-century-inspired English tavern boasts a 500-strong line-up of spirits and British eats that tick every comfort food box. We’re talking Scotch eggs, fish finger sandwiches, ploughman’s plates and traditional roasts (Yorkies included). In winter, there’s even a smouldering fireplace!
Suburb: Sydney (CBD)
Price Guide: $$
Cuisine: Pub fare
Best For: Date night, Late night, Group dining
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Pubs in Sydney CBD
Hero of Waterloo in Millers Point holds the title of the country’s oldest continuously licensed pub, built by convict labour in the 1840s. The heritage-listed hotel is known for a cellar smuggling tunnel that once ran to the nearby wharf, along with a long-running reputation for being haunted. Today it operates as a working local pub, with live music, pub food and occasional ghost tours run on site, making it one of the more unusual historic experiences in the CBD.
The Squire’s Landing at Circular Quay and The Glenmore Hotel in The Rocks both offer strong Sydney Harbour views without the price tag attached to nearby fine dining rooms. The Squire’s Landing brews its own beer on site and looks directly across at the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. The Glenmore pairs a heritage ground-floor bar with a busy rooftop looking out over the harbour, making it a reliable choice for both a quiet afternoon pint and a livelier evening.
Hotel Palisade in Millers Point is one of the better rooftop options in the CBD, with its Henry Deane bar offering an elevated setting and a menu that moves beyond standard pub fare into dishes like cayenne spice whitebait and beef rump soba noodle salad. The ground-floor Public House offers a more casual alternative within the same building, so the venue works for both a quick pint and a longer, more considered sit-down.
The Duke of Clarence, tucked in an alleyway in the city centre, is the CBD’s strongest option for a genuinely British pub experience. The menu covers Scotch eggs, fish finger sandwiches, ploughman’s plates and traditional roasts with Yorkshire puddings, backed by a spirits list running to 500 options. In winter, an open fireplace adds to the tavern feel, making it a solid pick for a cold-weather pint and a hearty feed.
The Lord Nelson in The Rocks and Hero of Waterloo in Millers Point are the CBD’s two standout historic pubs. The Lord Nelson is Sydney’s oldest continuously licensed pub and runs its own award-winning on-site brewery alongside classic pub dishes like beef pie and fish and chips. Hero of Waterloo goes a step further as the country’s oldest pub overall, with a convict-built smuggling tunnel and a resident ghost story attached to its history.
If you loved this edit of the best pubs in Sydney CBD and surrounding ‘burbs and are looking for more places to enjoy a drink and bite to eat, we recommend taking a peek at our edits of the best sushi trains around the CBD and the best cafes in the CBD. You’re welcome!
