Came here for happy hour with some friends while we were in town…read more Has a lovely bottle of wine ( or two) and order a pizza to share. I can be quite picky when it comes to pizza and this one was on point. Perfect crispy crust, delicious pepperoni, perfect ratio of sauce and cheese. Would def get again. The weather was lovely so we chose to dine outside. Quick and friendly service.

The problem with Surry Hills is that there are so many really cool pubs here that it can be…read moredifficult, if not impossible, to actually settle on just one. Well, it seems as if quite a few people felt the same way as me with regards to this pub because, well, it was absolutely packed when I walked in here. I still managed to find a place to sit, even though it was getting to the end of the night for me. Still, a great pub with some great beers on tap, and certainly one to go back to.

The atmosphere is good, the chairs on the high tops are kind of really high and you can't put your…read morefeet on them, but the place looks clean and the service is fast.

They have a couple of non alcohol beer options, friendly staff and fast service. There is a fairly…read morenice view on the rooftop partly obstructed by a wall.

The Criterion, post PJs renos, is a standard faux-Irish pub slap bang in the middle of the city…read more(close to Town Hall). Being close to where I used to work, I'd frequent this place quite a bit, and before it was a PJs it was a mates fave city pub so we'd catch up over a few here from time to time. There's a pretty good mix of people in the street-level bar, and PJs have converted it into more of a sports bar so there are plenty of screens for the sports nuts to check out their favourite teams prospects. PJs typically have pretty good fare. In winter they have two absolute cracking dishes. The Guiness Pie with mushy peas, and their signature lamb shanks which is totally unctuous. Why such a modest score? Price kills the place. It's not one of the cheaper places to get a beer as someone incorrectly states in their tips, it's easily one of the most expensive places to get a beer. You're paying over the top prices for domestic tap beer. A cheap beer is $5 for a Coopers Pale Ale, which you can get on the same street about 200m up the road... Also... As much as I enjoy a good pokie section, this one ain't good. And by that I mean the clientelle. It brings in the undesireable types, and sours what is otherwise a sweet pub. The snug, the downstairs den, has a great looking bar, and "snug" seating, but it's kinda pointless down there. It doesn't feel snug, it feels stuffy and claustrophobic - and the bar has never been manned when I've been down there. Now, if they moved the pokies to the snug, and then opened up the entire bar at the street-level to include the room vacated by the pokie section, you'd have something. But why would they do that when they can get by with what they have.

I went for lunch here not too long ago and it was a great Irish pub. Rich Mahogany wood and a wide…read moreselection of beer on tap, with food selections that you'd find in most other Irish pubs. Being in the city, it can get quite busy very quickly and is a decently sized basement multi-storied pub. TV screens are usually are usually playing Fox sports or something similar. I order the Parmy, just to be on the the safe side. I wasn't too game to try the Pie which is supposed to be one of the best (as judged by Irish people I work with) around. The food is carefully prepared and you can tell the produce is quality and they've cooked it properly which some pubs sometimes struggle to do consistently... The chips were the standout side, crisp and crunchy! Definitely will be trying the stew or pie, that is if I'm brave enough to.

Had a great time using their promotion. Lovely food and cocktail…read more Relaxed atmosphere. Good to rest before tackling the city.

"My god" he exclaimed in a state of bewilderment and shock, "the pool tables are free to play." And…read morein a room full of deer trophy heads and regal wood laden benches you'll enjoy it. With such decor one could even mistake themselves for a dapper rifle-toting gentleman. The food however is not free. You are going to wish you used your rifle to kill your own food. I.e. If you want overpriced cuisine don't be afraid to come here. The fish and chip are tasty but not large or in any way special. This is OK really because next time your eyes will be drawn to the corn beef on the menu which is a refreshing sight (and taste, in a burger schnitzel driven pub food scene). You pay for the group-friendly tables. Fit with leather backed benches and a TV to control as your own. American sports are available too - those NBA playoffs won't watch themselves in your work lunch break. When it's not busy the waitstaff are pretty accommodating too. This makes it the sports bar you've been looking for! 4 deer heads out of 5.

I'm unfamiliar with pub food in Australia but the brunch here was really good. I tried the New York…read morebenedict and my husband tried the smash benedict. His had avocado while mine had smoked salmon. Everything was very tasty! The cheese rolls were not we expected but buttered toast rolled around cheese. However, we aren't familiar with everything here. The staff was friendly and the ambiance was not my favorite (loud sports bar), but I'm glad we visited!

When in Sydney, stop here for a local burger located in the heart of China Town! Waygu beef and…read moretomato jam on the menu. With added local flare.

Did not expect the interior decor to be so modern…read more First time visit and only ordered 2 salads and the sweet potato fries. I'm not a chilli fan and I hate that this is not mentioned in the menu. Managed to get a table in the upstairs outdoor terrace but there was a large group there that was extremely rowdy. Being a Wednesday evening, it was not packed. The salads were substantial and yummy. Would definitely go back to try their other menu options.

Well, this is another one of this pubs hidden away in the backstreets (that I have this uncanny…read morehabit of finding), however it certainly meets the standard of the local area - it is one incredibly classy pub. Actually, it has a really flashy looking restaurant out the back (which I simply glanced in and then left, namely because I wasn't actually looking for a place to grab something to eat), and a small sports bar at the front (though I couldn't see any VIP lounge, not that I was looking, though I suspect there was one hidden away). It's not really the type of pub that I particularly, like, but I'm sure it is a great place to go on a date.

Great location but undefined space with curtains and the unengaged bar staff will make this a one…read moretime deal. Won't be back.

Fun bar in Sydney head up the stairs to the semi open rooftop bar. Good food and drinks.read more

In spite of the name, this is actually not a hotel. Hotel has a double meaning in Australia as I…read morehave learned. It can be a place of lodging, but also many pubs use it as well as it relates to past liquor laws. Using the term "hotel" as a way to skirt liquor licensing regulations. Strawberry Hills is a nice Aussie pub just down the street from Central Railway Station. It looks a little divey on the outside, but the 2nd floor interior is quite nice and stylish and even has free Wi-Fi. This is a good spot to get a drink and quality pub food at a reasonable price in Sydney. If you are dining upstairs, you order your food and drinks at the counter. If you are dining in, the staff then brings the food to your table when it is ready. While they do have a wine menu, there isn't one for the large assortment of beers and cider on tap. If you are not sure what to order, I would list the types of beer and cider that you like to find one that suits you. As for the food, there is a regular menu consisting of pub food and a late night menu of different pizzas. The pricing here is quite reasonable as most mains (name for entree in Australia) are under $20. Had a Sunday night dinner here and opted for the slow cooked lamb shoulder ($18) with a pint of Bulmers cider ($7). I chose lamb because it is harder to find this meat on menus in the US, whereas in Australia it seems to be a standard offering. The lamb was terrific as the meat was fall off the bone tender. There was a bit of fat and gristle on the lamb, but I was okay with this since this helped to accentuate the meat's flavor. The accompanying roasted vegetables and red wine jus were also delicious and complimented the lamb. As for the cider, it was my first time trying Bulmers and I really liked it. It has a very crisp and refreshing taste that paired well with my meal. Enjoyed my meal at Strawberry Hills. The food and drinks here are good and value for your money. I like the ambiance of this pub too as it is modern, yet is casual enough to be a local drinking hole that you frequent regularly.

There is one reason, and one reason only that it is ok to go to Triple Ace. And that's when you're…read morewaiting for a table at the nearby and constantly busy Spice I Am or House Thai restaurants. It is open 24 hours a day. It is decked out with noisy pokie machines with offensive flashing lights. But most importantly, it is both a bar and bottle shop in one. The staff won't bat an eyelid if you saunter into to buy a bottle of wine from behind the bar, have one glass and screw the cap back on (this is a cork-free zone, of course) then wander off with it under your arm - a big no-no in fellow Sydney pubs. I criticise, yet, shamefully, have enjoyed the exceptional convenience of TAB on so many occasions when said diner's staff have informed it will be at least thirty minutes before dinner time. Thankfully, their drink-and-takeaway policy is perfectly located next to these two delicious BYO joints.

I can't believe that I landed up here not once, not twice, but three times. As a pub it is a pretty…read moredull and boring place, more like an excuse for a pokies room and a sports bar than a trendy inner-city establishment. I guess the first two times I landed up here was simply to check it out (and also because it was open), but the third time was simply to come here purely so I could write my Yelp review. Anyway, as a pub it is pretty dull, though generally quiet, and open late. It also have a bottle shop out the front, which is a bonuse, but I'd probably recommend avoiding it,

The best thing about Paddo RSL is this is where they hold Big Bingay events. It's like bingo, but…read moreits hosted by a drag queen and involves dirty songs and lots of cheap alcohol. Did I mention cheap alcohol? Don't forget to yell bingay and not bingo. That is if you can actually see the numbers. Pub food is also cheap and you can join the oldies downstairs for a meal before the show gets on the road. Parking is usually free on street at night, or buses go straight to the city.

One of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life was at the front doors of Paddo RSL club…read more For those who aren't familiar with Returned Servicemen's Leagues clubs, they are venues dedicated to the memory of the ANZACs- fallen soldiers from both world wars. They have specific rules and regulations like signing in when you go there, no headwear allowed, and a minute's silence facing the West at sunset. In exchange for these things you get cheap food & drinks, usually a meat raffle, badge draw, bands, lawn bowls or similar. They also always have "pokies" or poker machines to bring in revenue (I think some of their revenue goes the the Lions Club charity but I could be wrong about that). So I was passing the Paddo RSL at about five to 10 on a Thursday morning, and like a scene straight out of South Park there were about 20 oldies- I'm talking purple hair and zimmerframes- crowded around the doors waiting to rush the pokies (it was obviously pension day). This joint is not just death's waiting room though, they have bands, yoga and all sorts of fun things for the young and funky. Just don't get run over in the doorway on pension day morning.