This place was actually pretty cool. I'd been past it a few times, but a part of me thought it was…read morea nightclub, except that they don't tend to be open as early as this one. Yeah, it was actually a pretty cool place, and even had some rather decent beers on tap as well. Oh, and the staff were also pretty awesome, even though there was only one person at the time. The place was really friendly, laid back, and relaxed. Yeah, this is certainly a place I'd visit again.

The Dock is our Monday night favourite. Typically we go to Wah Fung (Chinese restaurant on Regent…read moreStreet, Redfern), and then retire to the dark, cosy confines of The Dock. [EDIT on 3/7/12: No longer open on Sundays & Mondays!] Normally bar staff don't really set the tone of a place -- but in this case, the Dock's vibe comes principally from its owner. The Baron - who runs the joint - is a dead-set barman for life. Formerly the entrepreneur who ran the slightly illegal Beer Baron delivery service, the Baron has now gone legit, and opened The Dock, an unassuming small bar in Redfern. The Baron wears suspenders, and often has a tea towel slung across his shoulder. He could be straight from the 1940s, andlooks like a younger version of Al Swearengen from Deadwood, except maybe not so scary or terrifyingly charismatic. Then there's the Baroness, she's gorgeous and friendly, and everyone is greeted upon arrival. Actually sometimes there are different Baronesses working there so maybe the term is inaccurate. Whatever. But enough about the people. What about the place? It's dark and a little shabby, and doesn't seem to be trying too hard to be hipster. The popcorn is free, and they've just started offering dumplings and other small comestibles. The cocktails ($10 on Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays) are not always mixed with precision, but the servings are generous, and the cocktails on offer are classics. The beer is cheap, and they serve Skittlebrau (yep, that's beer and skittles, as in Homer Simpson's fantasty... it's disturbing and amazing, all at once). Live music has started appearing (think bluegrass and jazz). It gets super crowded on Fridays and Saturdays here, we prefer weeknights.

Bondi's newest wine bar has a lot to offer, although I'm not too sure where the name 'The Crossing'…read morecomes from, or what it implies. Nestled between a clothes store and an Italian restaurant, this full service bar offers an extensive range of sexy sexy cocktails, and sophisticated wines. A warm and comfy lounge setting, natural timbers, a restored fireplace, and antique designer furniture settings, I can't think of anything else which could bump up the artisan contemporary sassiness, except for maybe some Marvin Gaye, or James Brown. The delectable mix of european flavours such as duck liver pate, and Aussie inventions such as chargrilled chicken skewers tapenade, fill the bar food, and dinner menu's. If you're after a treat to hold the queen ransom too, try the 'Passion of the crossing' - wyborowa vodka, lychee liqueur, passionfruit pulp, lychees, dash of lime, served on ice, for $17.00. So good, you'll want it for breakfast. Oh, not to forget... The HAPPY HOURS: Mon - Fri 4pm- 6pm Sat / Sun 2pm- 5pm $4 Carlton $4 Sparkling $5 House Red & White $5 Sangria $10 Margarita's & Rum Collins Enjoy!

With not a surfboard in sight, this swanky wine and cocktail bar almost seems like Bondi's cool…read morebabysitter or older sophisticated step-brother has settled in for the summer. It's polished and stylish without trying too hard to be either, which is refreshing for Sydney's social scene. But let's be honest, I head there for the $5 happy hour wine and sangria. Tons of seating, tasty Spanish-inspired nibbles, relaxing atmosphere, laid back staff and a solid spirit collection are all important things, but come secondary to such a steal in this part of the world. And this happy hour? It's daily: mon-fri 4-6 and sat-sun 2-5.

Okay, being in the Northern Beaches part of Sydney means that this isn't one of the easiest pubs to…read moreget to, though being on a main road does help. I didn't think that the pub was all that bad, though in a way there wasn't all that much to make it stand out (which seems to be a constant theme where I'm concerned). There is a nice outdoor area, but once again, not one that really grabbed my imagination.

Large pub set off a busy main road. It would be easy to miss, as this section of Brookvale is…read moresomething you'd normally be driving through as quickly as possible. But it was renovated earlier this year, and the expansive pub inside doesn't look too bad. There's a sports bar and smoking area up front, and large bistro/drinking/beer garden areas out the back. Inside is a bit too dark for my tastes; a skylight would go a long way. But the drinks selection is decent, and is the food menu. They've got one of those cook-your-own-steak grills if you don't mind doing that. We stopped in for a Sunday lunch and found it relaxing. Good service, not too packed, nice clean toilets, shaded seats outside. All of this would normally add up to a 3-star review for me, but my lunch easily tips it up to a 4-star. For I had here, at the Brookvale Hotel, the best burger of my five years in Australia. It was thick, coarsely-ground, blackened, well-seasoned meat, with crisp, fresh toppings, delicious spicy sauce, and a springy brioche bun. It was an amazing, sensational hamburger.

I'm probably starting to sound like a broken record when I describe a pub in Surry Hills as being…read more'incredibly packed on a Friday night and lucky to find a place to sit'. I should have worked that out pretty quickly when it comes to visiting inner-city pubs on a Friday night, but then again that might be something that simply seems to be across the board. However, there doesn't seem to be all that much about this place that really grabbed my attention (another thing that I seem to be saying too often, but then again I did give this place three points). You can't probably guess what I'm going to say next - yep, probably only come back if there is really nowhere else to go to.

If you're up for an unpretentious night out with the mates, playing a bit of pool or even some…read morestrangely mixed thai-pub food, then you're at the right place. Cricketers is great for small groups, with a big enough outdoor courtyard to cosy up with 50 of your closets mates, or strangers. I don't officially recommend the food here, as it I never got a good recommendation from the bar tenders on what to order, they often mentioned it depends on who's cooking it that night. Final thoughts. Cheap, easy going, great courtyard, pool table, full bar, interesting unpretentious people who're there just to have a great time with mates, not too fancy.

A spectacular perspective with very good food in a unique neighborhood up the hill from the…read moretouristy bits of the Rocks. Eat on the terrace up top for the views. You feel like you're in the Sydney locals cherish. BONUS good value

Great location and great price! Rooms aren't anything fancy and the pool is outdated but has an…read moreamazing view!!! Great safe place for a mid range traveler!!

Unlike in neighbouring Coogee, Maroubra's seaside doesn't have much in the way of…read morecafes/restaurants. So The Ocean View Tavern is probably one of the more popular joints on Maroubras modest stip of eateries. Opposite Maroubra beach, I can imagine this place would be buzzing on any given sunny day. On this dreary Wednesday however, there was only a handful of patrons knocking back schooners and watching the blaringly loud A Leage on the hotel plasmas. The staff at the Maroubrah Hotel were jovial and helpful, happy for a chat on a quiet afternoon. The food here was nothing fabulous. The chicken parmigiana was ok but the chicken was pretty tough, the salt & pepper squid was tough and chewy too and the salads consisted mainly of shredded lettuce with a mayonaise dressing. But food is cheap and the kitchen is open all afternoon, meaning that if the surf is so good you forget to eat, a 3.30pm lunch is still possible.

This is a cool community tavern…read more It combines the beach with the local pub to create a pretty casual, simple place. You can tell the place is old, but its been zazzed up with flatscreens and a but more classy decor, but you cant deny its just the local pub. But that's just perfect for this scenario. Sit in the widnow and look out over Maroubra Beach, enjoy a simple, well-priced meal or drink. And when I say, well priced, I mean it. There's a $10 rump steak and mash. And it tastes A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Reallly good stuff. But, for the price, you get no frills. It's just a steak and mash, no other sides. I finished it satisfied, I suppose, but I did want to eat more. But I do that after a lot of meals. Really cool. down-to-earth beach and pub vibe. Very happy. I'll be back!

I come here for the pub located on the beach. I come here every time I am at Bondi- it is just a…read moregreat place to sit, take in the ambiance, and watch the people go by. If you can, get a table on the balcony overlooking Bondi Beach. While they are usually reserved for patrons eating, if you ask nicely, they will let you sit and drink. However, the bar downstairs is great as well. The food is good here as well, but I usually come and have a couple of beers with friends.

Spanish tapas with a view of Bondi beach. Ordered French fries, octopus, pork belly, croquettes and…read morea bottle of Chardonnay made a great afternoon in Bondi Beach.

This wasn't a bad pub at all. In fact it is one of those pubs that just seems to be tucked away in…read morethe inner suburbs that could quite easily be missed if you don't know about it. Of course I did, and I'd say that I did quite like the beer garden, though the beer selection wasn't that great. Still, it had a nice atmosphere, and was a reasonably nice place to have a beer.

Great local for a cheap schooner or 5 in the big open beer garden. Always filled with groups of…read morelocals catching up in the afternoons. Used to come here a lot during the $5 steak era (RIP). But after a string of failed culinary enterprises (including thai) there is new blood in the kitchen and a new $10 steak special that I might just have to try. Occasionally I make it down here on a Friday night for the meat raffle (provided by one of the best butchers in Sydney!). I really shouldn't be advertising this as if you show up and buy tickets my odds wont be so great...