If you’re one of the half a million Irish people living in Sydney, Australia, this list is for you! Here are the ten best Irish pubs in Sydney.
It is thought that up to 500,000 Irish people are living in Sydney. You only have to walk the streets or hop on a bus and you’ll be inundated with the coo of the lyrical Irish accent.
Over years of emigration, a steady and strong community of the Irish has grown in Oceania. And although being in Oz can feel like a million miles from home, these ten best Irish pubs in Sydney will certainly make the Emerald Isle feel that bit closer.
Ireland Before You Die’s top tips for going to Irish bars in Sydney
- If you are heading to Irish pubs in Sydney during peak times or at the weekends, make sure to arrive early to secure a good spot before it gets busy.
- Sample the range of Irish whiskey on offer, and don’t shy away from the Irish, either! Try a Guinness and compare with what it is like at home.
- The best Irish pubs in Sydney will have fantastic musicians who will play live traditional Irish music. This is the best time to be at the bars.
- It might be useful to pick up a few Irish phrases before you go so you can use at the bar! These include “Sláinte” for cheers and “Go raidh maith agait” for thank you.
- Join in on the craic! No doubt there will be lots of other Irish there, so mingle, get to know them and have some fun.
10. The Gaelic Club Sydney – the hidden gem
This one is a bit of an insider’s secret! Located in Surry Hills, not far from Central Station, is the Gaelic Club Sydney. This is a low-key, no-frills kind of spot, so don’t expect the finest fare or trendiest crowd.
What they do offer, however, is a pretty solid pint of the “black stuff” (Guinness). The drinks are cheap, the staff is sound, and they even have live music from local Irish musicians on the weekends. Simply put: this is one of the best Irish pubs in Sydney.
Address: 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
9. O’Malley’s Hotel – the Irish partygoers’ place to be
This laid-back Irish pub is located in Kings Cross, not far from the city. This is your all-in-one kind of Irish pub in Sydney.
It has rooms above the venue (should you have one too many pints), live music regularly and a solid menu of Irish fare that’ll make you feel right at home.
Address: 228 William St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, Australia
8. Mercantile Hotel – the straightforward Irish pub-hotel
The Mercantile Hotel is an Irish pub and straightforward hotel located in The Rocks in Sydney – the heart of the tourist trail. The location alone makes it one of the best spots to make a base at, and the accommodation is solid, too.
Think cold beers and hot food enjoyed in an outdoor patio on a sunny afternoon, while a local band takes to the stage – one of the top Sydney pubs, no doubt!
Address: 25 George St, The Rocks NSW 2000, Australia
7. P.J. Gallagher’s – the out-of-city Irish pub
There are a few P.J. Gallagher’s in Sydney, but the best, without a doubt, is in Enfield, west of the city.
This is your typical suburban Irish pub. A stone and cobble floor adds an extra touch, while Guinness imagery and wooden furniture seals the deal with its overall ambience achieving that of a true Irish pub. Due to this, it has earned the title of being one of the best Irish pubs in Sydney.
Address: 14 Coronation Parade, Enfield NSW 2136, Australia
6. Trinity Bar – the top pub-grub pub
Trinity Bar located in Surry Hills on the corner of Crown Street and Devonshire Street. This Irish pub is trusted for its grub of classic meals such as steak and chips, burgers and pasta. Note: veggies are included, too!
With wooden finishes reminiscent of home and large sports TV screens to distract you, sure you could well be sitting back in Ireland sipping on a pint.
Address: 505 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
5. Norton’s Pub – the weekly specials wonder
Located in Leichhardt, west of Sydney city, is Norton’s Pub. This is your standard Irish pub offering everything you’d expect: live music, pub grub, Guinness on tap (which is pretty damn good), Leichhardt locals, affordable prices and sports on giant TVs.
A solid and simple bet, you can’t go wrong with Norton’s Pub. Bonus points go for its awesome weekly specials making it one of the best Irish pubs in Sydney.
Address: 1 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia
4. O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub – the road trip-worthy Irish pub
Located farther from the city near Richmond, O’Donoghue’s Irish Pub is a solid stop en route to the Blue Mountains National Park. It is also a popular choice for locals in the area of Emu Plains.
There’s a large outdoor, covered seating area, just perfect for those balmy Summer nights. This spot is a popular one for sports games, too, as it has gigantic screens offering views to even the smallest of guests. As far as Sydney pubs go, this is a local favourite.
Address: 99 Great Western Hwy, Emu Plains NSW 2750, Australia
3. P.J. O’Brien’s – the top city spot
Located in Barangaroo in the heart of the city is P.J. O’Brien’s. This is your typical lively Irish bar. It is often packed with Irish expats chatting over pints of the “black stuff,” post work.
The style of the pub is pretty on-point, with wood finishes, Guinness imagery galore, pints on rotation and classic pub grub. Weekly specials and happy hours keep the prices down, too.
Address: 57 King St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
2. The Porterhouse – the best Guinness
This Irish pub is also located in Surry Hills, close to the city. It is laid-back and low-key, and while it is inherently Irish, it doesn’t overdo it with twee décor.
The food is solid and an outdoor balcony to enjoy on a warm evening doesn’t go amiss. The pints of Guinness are the true show-stoppers here, though – maybe the best in Sydney you could say.
Address: 233 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
1. The Wild Rover – the Irish bar with a twist
The Wild Rover is an Irish bar with a twist. It is cool and trendy and draws a fun and eclectic crowd, much like most Sydney pubs. As purveyors of Irish whiskey, this is, without a doubt, one of best Irish pubs in Sydney, and even Australia, to enjoy your favourite distilled drinks with a huge selection on offer, too.
To add to the uniqueness of this joint, they also offer oysters as well as sausage rolls on the menu. Expect low light, decadence, and debauchery at the Wild Rover.
Address: 75 Campbell St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
READ MORE: See where The Wild Rover ranks on IB4UD’s list of the best Irish bars in Australia
Your questions answered about the best Irish pubs in Sydney
Read our article and still have some questions? Not to worry! Here, we have put together the most frequently asked questions about the best Irish pubs in Sydney to us and from online.
Where do Irish people go out in Sydney?
In Sydney, Irish people go out in places like PJ O’Brien’s and The Wild Rover. Other places include The Rocks, CBD and Bondi Beach.
What is the most famous Irish pub in the world?
The Temple Bar in Dublin is arguably the most famous Irish pub in the world. It was regularly frequented by tourists and locals alike.
What is the longest running Irish pub in Australia?
This would be The Mercantile Hotel in The Rocks.
What is the highest Irish owned pub?
The Irish Pub in Nepal is the highest Irish pub in the world. It sits at an elevation of 11,386 feet (3,440 metres) high.
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