Come Friday night you can expect this place to be absolutely packed, but then again it does happen to be Newtown, and this is one of those pubs that happen to be tucked away down a side street. A hidden gem if you will, but then again, from the crowds it attracts, it doesn't seem to be all that hidden. They do have some nice beers available, but as I suggested it can be very difficult finding a seat. Still, I loved this place, and wouldn't have a problem coming back when it doesn't happen to be a Friday night. read more

See all

The Courthouse is THE Inner West watering hole. Coming from a small town, I'm used to walking into a pub and knowing most of the faces. And yet, I wasn't expecting this familiarity to follow me to Sydney. Between walking through The Courty's front doors to finding a rare empty table in the buzzing courtyard out back, you inevitably run into someone you know. In country towns, this is because there's no where else to go. In Newtown, it's because you wouldn't want to go anywhere else. Monday to Sunday, the courtyard is packed with hundreds of indie 20-somethings slurping ciders, scooping sour cream onto wedges and screaming to be heard over the raucaus laughter of the three other groups of people sitting at their table. Capturing the heart of Inner West casual cool, there is nothing boastful about The Courthouse. In fact, with consistently great tunes pumping from the jukebox, good pub-food at decent prices, two different ciders on tap (yes, cider is a game-changer for me), a courtyard that defines summer drinks and weekly Crab Races (no word of a lie), it's safe to say that considering how clearly superior it is, The Courty is pretty modest. See you there. read more

See all

PACKED after work on a Friday. Lots of tables for outside seating but not all are smoking so be weary. House wine is $8.50 so it's a bit steep. Staff are quick to turn tables around as we ran for one and then started stacking stuff and the staff member was right there. read more

Courthouse Hotel - Pubs Near Me - Newtown, NSW

I've never been in the Courthouse Hotel when it's been empty. It's never even been quiet when I've been there. I'm not saying I'm a party God and wherever I go I bring the good times, that would be an erroneous statement. I'm not here with the intention of erroneousness. What I am saying is the Courthouse has some kind of magic power, some special beans that keep people coming back for more of their sweet elixir. Is it the delicious food that ranges from Pasta's to Steaks to the delicious Courty Burger? Is it the courtyard of the courthouse where men and women can court each other in the hope of taking someone home who caught their eye? The backyard-esque feel to the wooden tables? The benches? The heaters and the bricked walkways? Is it the sense of space? Is it the fact that a lap around the hotel actually, despite its small size, takes quite a bit of time? It's not the lines, why would people want to come to a pub where they have to stand in line for ages at a relatively small bar to get a drink? Why do people come? It must just have something special. Or perhaps, a party God, not me, a less erroneous party God is pulling favours and getting people to attend. Either way, it's a cool place to go despite having to wait in line for a drink and despite the fact that chances are you won't get one of their backyard-esque tables. read more

Courthouse Hotel - Pubs Near Me - Newtown, NSW

Known by locals and wannabe locals as the 'Courty' this pub gets its name from the Courthouse a few doors down. Lunch mid week sees court participants drowning their sorrows or celebrating their successes with a few schooners in the beer garden. The rest of the time, this pub is absolutely packed with people, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and classic beer garden haven. The bistro has changed hands a few times in the past few years, and seems to be onto a winner at the moment, with a big menu combining pub food such as schnitzels with mezze platters and some okay vego options. Portions are big, and the Courty burger is a staple. The pub also has its own brew, Justice Ale which is worth a try. If you are planning to meet people at the Courty for a feed it's adviseable to ring and try and reserve a table, because this place is buzzing. On a Friday or Saturday night be prepared to prop up the bar because seats may be few and far between. On the upside, there is always someone keen for a chat. read more

Courthouse Hotel - Pubs Near Me - Newtown, NSW

Ahhh the courty, my other love... Shh I have a few loves, don't judge me. The courty is the pub that's the go to. The one that offers warmth and is always full of people you haven't seen in a while. That it's tucked away a bit means that it's more a local than any other pub in Newtown and it's an absolute delight. Has it been renovated? Well my feet don't stick to the carpet inside anymore and yet the place hasn't been hipsterised either which is a huge thing for me as I love the fact that this is still very much a pub. I haven't had a bad feed here either. I ordered the haloumi salad when I popped in last week and oh my word, it made me so happy I bounced in my seat while eating it. Much to the amusement of my dinner companions. This pub has old world charm. Oh yes. And a lovely lovely outdoor seating area. Where you get to meet random jumping garden spiders to whispering sweet nothings into your friends ears behind the bushes... or through the bushes as the case my be. And they have Morgan's rum which they are happy to serve me straight with no ice cubes. Yummo! read more

Like Ego in the Pixar film Ratatouille, I feel that the other reviews of The Courthouse are lacking perspective. Yes. The place is huge, with a somewhat charming outdoor area, but, one can't help but think, how can a place so large still feel so devastatingly overcrowded. I admit that my night got off to a bad start as I had to hang around awkwardly waiting for my friends to arrive, who were no less than 40 minutes late. During this time I began to inspect the venue and the crowd with a curious cold detachment, and, let me say, neither the crowd nor the venue truly appealed to me. Dreary mediocrities gazing motionless into a plasma screen watching the AFL isn't the type of scene I normally want to be apart of. The room with the slot machines was like something out of a Greek tragedy. And, the line for the food was perpetually long. Speaking of the food, the haloumi burger was sensational, but not really worth the 17 beans for which I paid for it. I think the greatest let down about The Courthouse is the clientele. They just seemed like such dullards. If what you're look for is a slightly more dynamic experience, please, just walk up to Kings Street and stumble upon one. The Courthouse has nothing to offer you except for a reasonable burger with some fancy cheese. And yes, the outdoor area is lovely. read more

We dined her for lunch on a sunny Saturday. 'The Courty' is a spacious old pub with many rooms and two beer gardens - one for kids and no smoking permitted, the other for over 18 with smoking welcomed. We settled ourselves around a large timber table at the kid-appropriate beer garden (we had two underage kiddies in the group) and quickly found our lunch choices on the menu in the kitchen. This pub employs the typical ordering system - you must come to the counter to view the menu on the blackboard, place your order and you will be given a beeper that will go off when the food is ready for collection. While the menu is expansive and offers lots of gluten free choices it's annoying to have to go in to look at the options. I would like to see printed menus so you don't run the risk of losing your spot, or having to go in one-at-a-time to look at what's available. I chose the felafel and the two boys went with burgers, our youngest lad went with chicken nuggets and chips and our youngest girl went with spaghetti bolognaise - the last two from the kids menu. After around 15 minutes the meals arrived and everyone was impressed with their selections. My felafel was absolutely incredible. Gluten free flat breads, the tastiest little bean felafels, shredded red pickled cabbage and lots of tzaziki was on the plate. I had a great time putting together my little parcels of goodness and I was honestly raving about this dish was days afterwards. Everyone else also enjoyed their meals and we all sampled a mixture of gin and tonics and beer. The whole location is very light, airy and casual. The perfect corner pub with a comfortable "lived in" feeling. We will return! read more

This place is great, definitely lives up to it's hype! The staff are nice, it has a great vibe, the beer garden is EPIC, the crowd are cool... the food looks good. Why haven't I been here before? Why??? The only bad thing is, it closes at midnight... even on a Saturday night. So we were forced to hit up The Townie (barf), then Kelly's... I went home, lol. read more

Great atmosphere with plenty of colourful locals to chat with. This place has two outdoor areas, a balcony, and a collection of rock themed pinball machines you'll never have a dull moment. Went here on a Tuesday night and we're given free tickets into their raffle - didn't win anything though :'( This place is a testament to a true Aussie pub, with its worn carpet and roaring laughter. read more

Courthouse Hotel - Pubs Near Me - Newtown, NSW

See all

One of those hidden pubs only the local knows.. Walking around Newtown, you might stumble around and find this place. It has a lovely beer garden area where you can chill with your friends, inside is the typical old style pub with lots of big rooms to play pool and order a pitcher or two. The beers are reasonably priced here and you can try several local breweries if you are a micro brew aficionado. I just enjoyed the company and the cool brew. read more

Very trendy pub with lots of beer on tap and decent menu in the kitchen with generous portions. Bar is always crowded and the service is prompt but I wouldn't say very overly friendly. Had the salmon for dinner which was served on mashed potato and was very tasty and reasonably priced, as were the drinks. Wine selection small but covers all bases. Would go again. read more

This place has anything you could want - an indoor, standard bar area, a covered patio, an outdoor area, a pool table area, etc. In fact, there are so many different areas to this place that it can take you a solid few minutes just to walk around it all. This can make meeting up with people difficult, but it means that you've got a number of options depending on your mood. Drinks are reasonably priced for a place this popular. I have only ever had beer, but it's not tough to find a beer for $6-8. Despite the size, it can be difficult to find a place to sit on a Friday or Saturday night. If you get there on the earlier side (say, 7pm), you'll have a better chance. It's tucked away a block or so away from King Street and the main hustle and bustle of Newtown, but also a quick walk to any of the other main Newtown spots. read more

I've never had a "neighbourhood pub". Vancouver is weird that way. There aren't as many local spots sprinkled into residential neighbourhoods. So when I moved onto Australia Street I was overjoyed (yes really. Overjoyed) to find out I had a local pub tucked right onto my very own street. Within stumbling distance no less. It didn't take me very long at all to give this place a try. Walked in on a Sunday night - PACKED. We barely scrounged a seat for ourselves in the courtyard. The atmosphere inside was like hipster paradise (Newtown in general seems to be this way - but this is definitely like...the parliament of hipster paradise, where important hipster decisions, such as proper beard grooming and ironic hat selection take place). Everyone was super friendly though, and walking around was so entertaining - I don't think I've ever seen such a variety of clothing and hairstyles in my life. The courtyard itself is beautiful and vibrant, strung up with fairy lights and heaters. Very welcoming and contained. Also, the food here was AMAZING. Had the Salt and Pepper squid and it was absolutely delish. Oh Courthouse. I have the feeling I may be stumbling home from you rather soon. read more

This casual bar is surprisingly huge and gets better as you go further back. The outdoor beer garden is legit- lively, communal, fairy lights & tables that make you feel like you're in a big backyard BBQ. Small outdoor bar as well as a comprehensive bar inside. Inside is a completely different feel- a little more vintage with old school video games like starship as tables, old cushioned seating, warmer faded lighting, pool table, and a random casino in the middle. Some areas feel like a house party, it's so lax and crowded. More quiet scene on the far side should you want more privacy or something less crowded & low key. The crowd is incredibly easygoing & unpretentious. Always love a place that sets jugs of beer. About 8-10 beers on tap. Good variety. read more

Do you know I can't believe that I haven't reviewed the Courthouse before! It is and has been a regular haunt for a good few years. Good is ok, can be a hit or a miss, but I simply love this place, it's relaxed, egalitarian and welcoming. Leave your judgements behind is my only advice. Great place. read more

I love that I live in Newtown... Main reason: It's where the Courthouse is! Newtown, link any other area in Sydney, has it's fair share of pubs, but they simply don't get better than this! The Courthouse has somehow blended trendy, traditional and inexpensive into one venue I'd find myself in any night of the week! There are $3 schooners every night between 17:00-19:30, but I think the best nights to go are: Monday - FREE POOL! Wednesday - "Veg Night" aka $10 cider jugs, more vegetarian food options, and CRAB RACES? Um ... huh?! Although the main inside area is dull and screams "traditional, hasn't been renovated since it opened," Sydney pub, the beer selection is great! They have some craft beers like White Rabbit on tap, a jug costing around $18, with a single your standard price. Then there's the kitchen ... I haven't had the food, but they have a basic, pseudo-expensive pub menu. They did have some vegetarian options and meze plates, but considering the high price, I definitely see this place as simply a watering hole. And then outside .. the beer garden ... AHHHH ... It's huge, and open, with a small outside bar, tons of trees and tables, and an all around absolutely awesome atmosphere. Pubs tend to attract a single "type" of person based on what they're like, but the Courthouse definitely doesn't discriminate. Weekdays. Weekends. Sunny days. Any days. Get yourself over to Courthouse! read more

This was my first visit to Sydney and I had heard great things about this bar. After forgoing other hotels (mainly Bc I wanted to play video games) I dragged my boyfriend and our host to this spot. We waited in line for 15+ minutes and when we finally got to the bar we were completely ignored. Several people that had come behind us were served so I asked the bartender (a tall blond in overalls with a tattoo on her arm) if I could order three drinks to which she said I couldn't because other people had been waiting and "that's not how it works" as a black woman and the only person of color in the room I couldn't help but feel discriminated against. Especially as there was a guy at a table next to us that was so wasted he knocked over 4/5 empty glasses onto the floor and no one said a word to him (or picked up the broken glass) if I had not followed the bar etiquette and had been told so I'm a less abrasive way I would have been happy to fix my own mistake but... I guess by "everyone is welcome" they mean if you are white or white and gay you're welcome. I wish I could leave less stars. Fuck. This. Place. Happy the bartenders can make a living without tips but maybe if they needed them they would be a bit more polite to paying customers. read more

The Court House on Australia Street in Newtown is a fantastic local pub that has become a bit of a 'headquarters' for Sydney Swans fans during the AFL season. If you like the Swannies and are looking for a pub to watch the game with fans, then this is your place. If you don't like them then come here another time! There's still plenty worth checking out. There is the main front bar which is quite old school and there are a few tables to have a drink or meal at. You may even choose to whack a few tunes on the juke box. The bistro is quite good and there is a fantastic court yard which seems to be first choice for most patrons. It can become very popular on a Sunday afternoon. If you're looking for something a bit different then head over on a Wednesday night for the Crab racing. I'll have to check if anything with crab makes it onto the specials board at the bistro on a Thursday! read more

Courthouse Hotel - Pubs Near Me - Newtown, NSW

The Court House Hotel is just ease and comfort encapsulated. You can wear, act, say what you want and no-one will bat an eyelid. Although it's slightly hidden away, down a slightly dodgy back-alley, once you're in you'll find its spacious with an especially large outdoor seating area which you can fill up with friends during the day. As night draws in you might be fighting for space! The decor isn't particularly modern or upmarket, but the cheer is always good. You'll understand what I mean when I say that the favourites on the menu here are wedges and jugs of cider! Service is rushed but friendly. read more

The Courthouse Hotel in Newtown is probably my favorite pub in Sydney! It has the most relaxed atmosphere and you can tell everyone that comes there is just down for a good time! If you're looking for some chill fun with some of your buddies over beer - I totally recommend this spot!!! read more

Oh man! I really loved this place, and wish there were a few more places like it in Melbourne. So great for groups, heaps of space outside and great vibes. Will definitely be back next time i'm in Sydney. read more

I enjoyed coming here with a group of a friends. It's a large maze with lots of outdoor seating (and lots of heaters in the winter). The drinks were good and typical; didn't try any of the food. I love that they have a pinball room as well. read more

The Courty is special. If for nothing else, come for the beer garden. Sitting a street back from Newtown's hectic King Street, the Courthouse is a great spot for a nice steak or a few quiet beers. They had renos done about a year ago, which resulted in a new bar and no more toilet queues, but it also meant the nice old ladies' bathroom was a thing of the past. You can't stop progress, can you Bill Heslop? The bistro menu is simple but reliable, and the beers are pretty well priced. Try to nab a wooden bench out the back and soak up the atmosphere. This would be my first pick of pubs on a sunny afternoon. read more

The most well behaved bar queue I've ever seen, friendly staff, separate (huge) smoking and non beer gardens. What's not to like? Didn't try the food but a great place for a drink. Happy hour from 5-6. read more

I've only been here twice and honestly the bar/restaurant has a very nice laid back vibe. Food is kinda pricey but made up for it for having very large portions and the quality really depends on what you get. First time I came I had the nachos. Which in my opinion in terms of quality was that they were mediocre at best. Second time I came I order the chicken parm. Which honestly was PHENOM!!! Lots of really nice outdoor seating area. Super spacious. I really really like it here and would love to try more dishes. WILL KEEP YA POSTED. read more

cool pub with as many arcade games and pinball machines as pokies. Was very busy on a warm public holiday so was difficult to get a spot to sit. Broad mix of clientele also which makes it an interesting hangout. read more

Good place if you're lucky enough to get a seat. If not enjoy squeezing in with randoms outside in the back. Pretty descent priced on alcohol though, and the food is better than average. Like I said before, if you can get a table, you better hold onto it with your life. read more

An Australian friend took us to this place and we drunk a couple of Young Henrys beers. This was the best beer we had in Australia!! If you're in Newtown this place is worth a visit! read more

The atmosphere is good, and the beer garden is an exceptionally nice place for a beer and a steak. The bar staff are the worst in the Inner West, mostly just chatting among themselves and taking forever to do the slightest thing, and being pretty precious about it too. They used to be great (I've been going to the Courthouse for six years) but the service has gone downhill. read more