O.K it's Balmain. I've stumbled around the area a few times, but never have I landed feet first at the Exchange. We found ourselves here with a crew of about 6 on Aus day and let me say I was pleasantly surprised. Bar person Nick, is a cool hipster type who let me carve my very own ice sculpture out on the frozen beer tap whilst my friends played the "monster from the deep" themed Pinny. The staff seem pretty chilled out. Upstairs they had imported some sand with the anticipation of having a beach bar, but Aus day was cloudy and not so beachy. I can see how it could have been rad if it was a hot day. Down stairs is C-lassy! The Pool table room has bookshelves and fancy lamps. They have Chaise lounges and a Deer antler Chandelier. The Exchange is not afraid of deluxe furnishings. Even Red velvet Curtains. It is the largest and most fancy hotel in Balmain, was built in 1885 and is Heritage listed There are a couple of bars, one with a Balcony and a new Bistro that looks like something from the Great Gatsby. Didnt try the food, but they seem to have regular promos, like the screening the superbowl with $12 Bud and Chilli dawg and 50c Spicy chicken wings. Sounds cool! Side note: The thing I liked most of all, was the $2 pay per use Hair straightener for the Ladies, and the fact the loos were fully enlosed, proper lockable and proper fancy. I'm a Laaaaaaady. read more

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We stumbled into this hotel just as it started pouring down with rain, so I didn't get to read reviews on the place before we came. The interior deco turned out to be really funky and comfy. The wait staff were mainly backpackers, judging from their accents. The service was courteous and prompt. Now on to the food. You should always trust pubs with their steaks. Our medium rare Angus steak was nicely cooked. It came with a side of bacon infused - you heard me right - bacon infused mash potatoes. Our tuna steak, however, was probably from a frozen fillet because it smelt very fishy and the texture was rubbery and rough. There was probably some over cook involved too. My advice is to steer clear from the non-standard pub food like fish and get their steaks instead. read more

Exchange Hotel Balmain - You should always trust pubs with their steaks. Our medium rare Angus steak was nicely cooked. - Bars Near Me - Balmain, NSW

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A great locale for eating out, and simply hanging out. You will be lucky to see the occasional independent play here. Worth the walk down the hill (and back up the hill) to Balmain's Town Hall. Was (not sure if this establishment still is) voted the Australian Hotels Association Hotel of the year. Tight security and a great experience for all patrons. Not the type of establishment worthy of pub crawls; the Exhange Hotel deserves and has more pride and respect than that. I was fortunate to be taken out here for my 30th birthday last year at the restaurant upstairs by my foster mother. Truly divine and memorable experience with great conversations over a few quality glasses of wine: I went for the red variety while mum went for the white varieties. Off hand I must have ordered a chicken dish, yet it didn't matter. The ambience was beautiful: as well as glimpses of the city skyline taking in the abundant life. Overall a dynamic, great establishment that has stood the test of time. Of course it has undergone major refurbishments since to keep up with the trends of the area. Pristine and natural. Worth eating out here on a Friday night. read more

Exchange Hotel Balmain - Bars Near Me - Balmain, NSW

I was here the other day for high tea. We paid $40 a person for champagne and roughly a half dozen kind of sweets, plus finger sandwiches. Everything was delicious, if verging on over the top sweet. Some of our hosts were locals, so the very hipster bartender came to hang out, too. I was impressed by the variety of events the bar puts on, and the classy decor upstairs where we sat out on the balcony. If the weather was nice I would look forward to coming back! read more

Exchange Hotel Balmain - Sweets on offer at high tea - Bars Near Me - Balmain, NSW

Great pub in Balmain! very nice interior which makes you feel home from the moment you walk in. I personally like the upstairs bar the most. It's perfect for having a few drinks in a quiet atmosphere where you're actually able to hold a conversation without screaming at each other as in many other pubs. The mixed tapas were a great choice and went down well with the wine. Can recommend this place to anyone who's in the area read more

Exchange Hotel Balmain - Mixed tapas. Garlic prawns, chorizo, fries and rucola salad - Bars Near Me - Balmain, NSW

This pub is just off the Main Street of balmain and it has a great selection of upmarket pub food. More expensive then your average pub meal but a few more fancy options. I like to sit downstairs in the cozy area near the fire - great for winter and it has that pub feel. On warmer nights head upstairs to the bar area and sit out on the wrap around balcony. There is also a restaurant area if you are looking for a bit more peace and quiet. Overall historic pub that is popular with the locals and a good option on a Sunday night with their $25 roasts that include all the trimmings! read more

Exchange Hotel Balmain - Schnitty is always the best option for a pub feed... Always. - Bars Near Me - Balmain, NSW

Upstairs for suave lounging, great cocktails and primo tapas. It's very easy to settle into this place, so catch a cab and make sure you've got the whole afternoon/ evening off. Ottomons, chandeliers and pressed tin ceilings culminate in an timeless glam ambience. Lighting is moody, and the crowd is generally fun and friendly. Select your tapas array and they'll deliver it on a platter. 1 for $9... 3 for $24... or 6 for $45. Go the whole hog and try all of them. Pesto and pine nut arancini with aioli; crispy pork belly with cider reduction; steamed prawn dumplings with kecap manis; mushroom and shiraz wagyu meatballs with napolitana sauce; grilled chorizo with lime and green chilli marmalade; and polenta crumbed soft shell crab with chilli soy dipping sauce. The a la carte menu is vast, so the 'anti tapas' will not go hungry. They do a mean steak, and the tone for the rest of the menu is upmarket modern Oz. Dine casually in the bar area or on the balcony, or hit the bistro tables if you're feeling more formal. Come here on a school day and have the place to yourself. Come here on a weekend night and prepare to wait/ fight for a seat. Staff are helpful, and they'll whip you up whatever you're in the mood for cocktail wise. My mate swears by their dirty martinis... read more

Exchange Hotel Balmain - Bars Near Me - Balmain, NSW

First time I've come to the Exchange at Balmain. On entering you get a vague idea that this is a bit of a labyrinth. There are nooks and crannies everywhere, with different themed rooms. A public bar in one area, differently coloured and styled other rooms for groups. The place has a god vibe for lunch, it was virtually empty but still had a feeling of the busy pub without the sour beer smell. Definitely verging on trendy, but not in a bad way. Service at the restaurant upstairs was good, though not overly attentive. Food was in unexpectedly large portions and was well presented. Avoid having side salads, they still have the pub mentality about these (wilted leaves anyone?). It's definitely a place I want to go back to to see what its like at other times of the day. read more

The Exchange Hotel has excellent food, reasonably priced drinks and a buzzing atmosphere. I recently attended a 21st birthday party at the Exchange and had a wonderful night. The champagne was flowing, the attendants were attentive and the whole evening was a success. The Exchange is a bit more upmarket than you local pub and draws in a somewhat sophisticated clientele from nearby and afar. read more

Ok so, despite the lavish decor that just makes you want to don a ball gown and sashay up to the bar with a cigarette extender in hand, the place has a really cool vibe to it. I met friends here purely as a base camp to start the night and before we knew it we were finishing our night here too! We walked in to be greeted by a skater looking guy who couldn't do enough for us. I kinda felt sorry for leaving him to explore upstairs. We were greeted just as enthusiastically by the guys behind the bar upstairs and were practically flirted with all the way to the bar! I say flirted in a grandeur kind of way as it has been a long time since Ive entered a bar and had that immediate "happy welcoming I could do well here" feeling. These guys really know how to make you feel welcomed! I won't bore you with my nights events but I really want to put across how great these guys and the venue are. To be honest, the venue could be a carpark and I would love it purely based on the staff! I only regret I didn't get to spend more time with the skater guy. It's a busy Saturday night and there are a lot of functions taking place. The staff are busy running around making sure all is well. Our first welcome on the upper level is by a blonde haired guy with an accent and he practically whisks us out onto the balcony to ensure we get a table. This guy knows how to shmooze and we instantly know we're going to be well looked after. My husband went to the bar to get us drinks and came back practically divorced. The blonde girl behind the bar was so lovely and said all the right things to make him hysterical. To the point where he came back with a bottle of wine instead of the one glass I asked for! These guys know how to upsell! The service was all from the bar but I don't mind walking to place my order, especially when there's so much to take in in this venue. As I watched the night unfold during my visit, the staff never failed to be chatting to customers, seeming genuinely happy and interested in what the clients had to say, just so casual and friendly as though they had known them for years. I was so thrilled when the guy with the accent walked by and asked how the evening was going, at which point he pulled up a chair and sat with us, like it's not just a passing comment, he was genuinely interested in how the night was going, and more so in poking fun at the conversation he had overheard from our table. He left us in stitches and I think I'm still having pains now! The staff here actually like their jobs and really do go all out for their customers. They have a sprightly young girl with tattoos taking care of the floor and serving out food who clearly thrives on the interaction amongst the tables, I worry that I'm not cool enough for this venue but she is so bubbly and happy to share a joke that I feel I may get the divorce after all. I have never written a review before but I really feel that this is warranted. We don't come to the area much but next time we do, needless to say I will very much be spending my evening amongst these people. What a great venue and some fantastic characters! read more