The Woolpack Hotel in RedfernCredit: Destination NSW
A venue that prides itself on looking after the Locals. A neighborhood gastropub and community gathering spot.
Looking for a watering hole to celebrate (or drown your sorrows) after a British and Irish Lions tour match in Sydney? Or maybe you want to find the ideal pub in Sydney to watch the other Lions matches taking place across Australia. Either way, here’s a round-up of some convivial options around the city on each of these historic nights.
Where to go after the Waratahs match
You’ll be spoilt for choice of nearby places to head to after the Lions play the New South Wales Waratahs at the inner-city Allianz Stadium on Saturday, 5 July.
Take your pick of Victorian-era pubs, modern bars and restaurants on Paddington’s Oxford Street, including the Imperial, Paddo Inn and The Paddington, all around a 10-minute walk north of the stadium. Or cross over Oxford Street and keep walking through Paddington’s pretty back streets to find charming neighbourhood pubs such as the Royal Hotel, The London (a Waratahs partner) and the Four in Hand.
West of the stadium, the urban playground of Surry Hills awaits. On Devonshire Street, the most direct route from the stadium to Central railway station, you’ll find a string of welcoming pubs. As you cross Crown Street in Surry Hills you’ll come across the expansive Trinity Irish pub and sports bar. Continue down Devonshire Street to order a pint at the 1879 Shakespeare Hotel, the craft-beer-focused Dove & Olive or The Strawberry neighbourhood pub.
You can also walk towards Central Station via Moore Park Road, which runs past the stadium. Follow this route to the Cricketers Arms on Fitzroy Street, keep going through Surry Hills to Crown Street’s Dolphin Hotel, White Horse and Clock Hotel, and Foveaux Street’s Forrester’s and the Keg & Brew.
Where to go after the Wallabies Test
After the Lions take on the Wallabies in the final Test match at Sydney Olympic Park’s Accor Stadium on Saturday, August 2, you can jump on a train and kick on in the city, or head to one of the bars near the stadium.
Follow the crowds to The Locker Room sports bar, between the stadium and the Olympic Park train station – it’s open until 3am. On the far side of the station, Derive Cocktail Bar serves up cocktails as well as a selection of wines and beers until midnight. If your team just lost, you may want to find solace in Derive’s Make Me Happy cocktail, which blends vodka, tequila, rum and orange liqueur.
Pop into the Pullman Hotel Sydney Olympic Park’s Bacar Bar for an expertly crafted cocktail, or soak up the vibes at Novotel Sydney Olympic Park’s Brewery Bar + Kitchen – it’s open until late on event days.
The Paddington Pub, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Bartender pouring a cocktail at The Paddington Pub, Sydney.
The Paddington Pub, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Bartender pouring a cocktail at The Paddington Pub, Sydney.
The London Hotel in Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
The London Hotel is a Paddington institution offering quality food, beverages & a vibrant atmosphere, all with a touch of British flair.
The London Hotel in Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
The London Hotel is a Paddington institution offering quality food, beverages & a vibrant atmosphere, all with a touch of British flair.
Where to watch Lions games on a big screen
With more than 50 screens, including touchscreen TVs in private booths, you won’t miss a minute of the tour at The Sporting Globe sports bar on King Street Wharf in the waterfront entertainment precinct of Darling Harbour. Just down the wharf, Henley's delivers every game in classic pub style – think hearty meals, cold beers and all the live action in a relaxed setting that's perfect for cheering on the Lions. For something different, join some of rugby’s biggest names as they unpack the highs, lows, and legends of the tour at Stan Sport Rugby Heaven Live at Cargo, also on King Street Wharf.
The inner west offers plenty of viewing options, including BrewDog, where matches stream live across multiple big screens – and it's just a 200-metre stroll to Redfern Station for direct trains to both Allianz and Accor stadiums. But for the ultimate Lions experience, head to the heart of Redfern where the beloved Woolpack Hotel is undergoing a complete transformation, rebranding as The Lionpack Hotel for the entire tour. This old-school neighbourhood pub is going all out to become the unofficial headquarters for British & Irish Lions fans.
Across Sydney Harbour Bridge, arrive early to the majestic Oaks Hotel in the North Sydney suburb of Neutral Bay for a juicy steak at its Bar and Grill. Then get ready for kick-off at the hotel’s Taffy’s sports bar.
BrewDog South Eveleigh Credit: Destination NSW
BrewDog South Eveleigh is a craft beer bar in central Sydney, offering BrewDog beer, burgers, wings, pizza and more.
BrewDog South Eveleigh Credit: Destination NSW
BrewDog South Eveleigh is a craft beer bar in central Sydney, offering BrewDog beer, burgers, wings, pizza and more.
The Woolpack Hotel in Redfern Credit: Destination NSW
A venue that prides itself on looking after the Locals. A neighborhood gastropub and community gathering spot.
The Woolpack Hotel in Redfern Credit: Destination NSW
A venue that prides itself on looking after the Locals. A neighborhood gastropub and community gathering spot.
More Inspirational Stories
Forrester’s in Surry HillsCredit: Destination NSW
A community hub for connection and celebration. Forrester’s is a historic tavern where people have been drinking, eating and gathering for over 100 years.
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in wintry Sydney than by warming up in a cosy pub with a steaming roast with Yorkshire puddings and a splash of gravy? Here are some of the delicious Sunday roasts Sydneysiders wait all week to enjoy.
Tuck into a roast in the city
Savour a distinctly British Sunday roast at The Duke of Clarence, an 18th-century London-style tavern tucked away in the heart of Sydney’s commercial district. Slip into a comfortable chair in the book-lined space and tuck into British-bred roast beef sirloin or roast lamb (there’s also a porchetta option, and an eggplant steak for vegetarians), served with heirloom carrots and all the trimmings. Brought a big appetite? Order an extra Yorkshire pudding, a pig in a blanket or a side of Brussel sprouts and bacon – just save room for one of the pub’s indulgent desserts.
Wash down a hearty beef or chicken Sunday roast with a crisp pale ale fresh from the on-site brewery at the Endeavour Tap Rooms in The Rocks. Up for a dessert with a difference? Try one of Endeavour’s more experimental brews – recent efforts have included a lip-smacking rum-and-raisin chocolate stout.
Fill your plate in Paddington
Make your way through Paddington’s maze of picturesque streets lined with immaculately restored terrace houses and you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic Sunday roast at the Royal Hotel. This grand Victorian pub serves up beef, porchetta or pumpkin roasts with triple-baked potatoes and all the standard sides.
You’ll also score a scrumptious Sunday roast at other classic Paddington corner pubs like the Four in Hand and The London (which alternates between a crispy pork belly and beef roast each week), as well as the upmarket Paddington on Oxford Street. Or enjoy a classic Sunday roast with a side of live jazz at the historic The Lord Dudley, a short walk away in neighbouring Woollahra.
The London Hotel, Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
Street view of The London Hotel located on Underwood Street, corner of William Street, Paddington.
The London Hotel, Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
Street view of The London Hotel located on Underwood Street, corner of William Street, Paddington.
The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a drink at The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington.
The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a drink at The Lord Dudley Hotel, Paddington.
Go big in Surry Hills
Why wait for Sunday when you can head to Forrester’s, in the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills, on any day of the week to feast on a Big Yorkie? At this welcoming tavern your melt-in-the-mouth roast cuts are served inside a massive Yorkshire pudding crammed with spuds, veggies and lashings of gravy.
The inventor of the Big Yorkie, Applejack hospitality group culinary director Patrick Friesen, also oversees the indulgent Sunday roast at The Botanist, a cosy neighbourhood restaurant in the North Sydney suburb of Kirribilli. Expect elevated offerings such as grass-fed beef Wellington with mushrooms, spinach, prosciutto and jus, served with mashed potatoes and a leaf salad. (Just be sure to book by Friday to secure your table for Sunday.)
Also in North Sydney, secure a table at the iconic Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay and pour rich gravy over slow-roasted pork or beef in a light-filled space overlooking a magnificent oak tree.
Bliss out with a roast in Bondi
Reward yourself after a brisk stroll along the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk with a hearty Sunday roast beside the city’s most iconic beach.
At the northern end of Bondi, laidback locals’ eatery Rocker offers a choice of wagyu beef rump, crispy pork belly or maple-spiced pumpkin Sunday roasts. Feeling famished? Opt for the Big Roast, which heaves with roast beef and pork as well as pigs in blankets and a jug of gravy to pour over all the usual trimmings.
A short walk away from the beach, Mediterranean bistro Brown Sugar serves up an elevated Sunday roast – think roast beef with Paris mash and grilled broccolini, or a cheesy cauliflower gratin for vegetarians. Top it off with one of Brown Sugar’s indulgent desserts, like its irresistible toffee date pudding.
Feast on a roast in the Inner West
If you’ve based yourself on the western side of Inner Sydney – known to locals as the Inner West – head over to Coopers Hotel in Newtown for a hearty roast beef or pork dinner on Sunday, accompanied by live music.
In the nearby student hub of Glebe, the welcoming Toxteth Hotel will have you choosing between a wagyu beef, half-chicken, Barnsley lamb chop or porchetta Sunday roast, all served with triple-cooked potatoes, bacon and peas, and more.
A further 10-minute drive beyond Glebe, The Royal Hotel in the Italian heartland of Leichhardt claims its Botanical restaurant offering is the best Sunday roast in the Inner West – we’ll let you be the judge.
Forrester’s in Surry Hills Credit: Destination NSW
A community hub for connection and celebration. Forrester’s is a historic tavern where people have been drinking, eating and gathering for over 100 years.
Forrester’s in Surry Hills Credit: Destination NSW
A community hub for connection and celebration. Forrester’s is a historic tavern where people have been drinking, eating and gathering for over 100 years.
The Botanist is Kirribilli Credit: Destination NSW
Nestled just three kilometers north of Sydney’s bustling central business district, Kirribilli stands as one of the city’s most established and affluent neighbourhoods.
The Botanist is Kirribilli Credit: Destination NSW
Nestled just three kilometers north of Sydney’s bustling central business district, Kirribilli stands as one of the city’s most established and affluent neighbourhoods.