Bars & Pubs

The Best Pubs With Fireplaces In Sydney

By Urban List Writers
12th May 2023

For all the money we pay for our Sydney abodes, it’s crazy that they (generally) don’t have fireplaces or, if they do, they’re repurposed as a place to store your shoes... As the mercury drops, it’s human nature to seek out cosy pubs to warm your hands by the hearth, gaze into the open flames, and sip on a schooner.

Here are the best pubs with fireplaces in Sydney to warm up by this winter.

The Lord Dudley

Woollahra

Sydney pubs with fireplace The Lord DudleyGet cosy in front of the roaring fire at The Lord Dudley, with a beer in hand—they have twenty taps, so you can do the old hot-fire-cold-beer balance. This classic pub is an Eastern Suburbs institution because of its hearty British pub grub, cosy bar, and overall good vibes. 

The Glebe Hotel

Glebe

Sydney pubs with fireplace The Glebe HotelThe Glebe Hotel is a character-filled, dog-friendly pub in the backstreets of the Inner West, which makes it an ideal spot to park up for a cosy winter lunch by the fire (there's a fireplace and a wood-buring stove, so you have options). All the food here is heartwarming as hell—we're talking beef and Guinness pie, house-made gnocchi with wild mushrooms, and bangers and mash.

Cricketers Arms Hotel

Surry Hills

Take it from us; if you’re looking for some character in your next visit to the watering hole, the Cricketers Arms Hotel is your best bet. With a roaring fireplace and super-plush leather lounges, this pub brings a whole new meaning to comfort in the depths of winter.

The Hero of Waterloo

Millers Point

Sydney pubs with fireplaces The Hero of WaterlooThe Hero of Waterloo is a super historic, classic pub that's been lighting up the fireplace for over 170 years, complete with a ghost-in-residence, and the most charming pub band ever. The Old Time Band is legendary, playing trad-swing tunes and featuring the glowing vocalist, saxophonist and trumpeter Valda Marshall. She’s been part of the band since 1979 and is just the bee’s knees to watch—especially if you've nabbed a spot by the fireplace.

The Foxtrot

Crows Nest

Sydney pubs with fireplaces The FoxtrotThis pub is as cosy as they come thanks to its fireplace, so you’ll be snug as a bug ordering up cocktails that naturally have all been smoked, blowtorched or blazed. Not only are the bartenders at The Foxtrot cooking up some delicious concoctions, but you get to sip them in the type of chairs that say, “I’m going to be here for a while,” right next to a crackling fireplace.

The Duck Inn Kitchen & Pub

Chippendale

We think they should consider renaming The Duck Inn “DOGS AND FIREPLACES” because aside from their A-plus refined pub food, there are often doggos hanging about and a fireplace to boot. So, if you can’t score a prime spot by the roaring fire, just you know, grab your pooch and snuggle hard.

The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel

The Rocks

The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel Fireplace PubsThe Lord Nelson is Australia’s oldest (continually licensed) hotel and pub brewery, pouring award-winning ales that are brewed onsite. We’re suckers for the classic beef pie served atop a mountain of mash, mushy peas and gravy but it also doesn’t hurt that this Sydney pub has a fireplace to warm its historic sandstone interiors.

The Newport

Newport

Pubs With Fireplaces Sydney The NewportSure, this Northern Beaches behemoth overlooking the Pittwater is an ideal summer spot. But come winter, The Newport sets up a few outdoor fire pits for all your fire-gazing needs. We love the communal vibe that an outdoor fire brings, and we love it even more when The Newport’s tasty food and drink are within easy reach.

The Old Fitzroy Hotel

Woolloomooloo

Pubs with fireplaces Sydney The Old FitzroyReal pub, real atmosphere, and a real fire. That’s what you sign up for at The Old Fitz. There are sixteen brews on tap, weekly menu specials, and even marshmallows by the crackling fireplace. That’s next-level hospitality that we’ll gratefully accept. 

The Riverview Hotel

Balmain

Pubs with fireplace Sydney The Riverview HotelThe Riverview takes the trophy for “slickest pub fireplace” in Sydney—it’s a fine beast, framed with marble and adorned with a gold-edged mirror. The whole place screams heritage-listed good taste, from its stately furniture to its horseshoe-shaped bar. Their Sunday roast comes with all the trimmings and a sizeable Yorkshire pud—the perfect pairing with a crackling fire, we think.

Duke of Clarence

CBD

Sydney Pubs Fireplace Duke of ClarenceThe Duke of Clarence is an unapologetically British pub complete with fireplace. The Victorian-styled tavern is the type of place where you want to put on your smoking jacket, pull out your pipe and stroke a moustache. Settle in the library to enjoy the fireplace, and browse the eighteen-page drinks menu including four pages of whiskeys, three pages of gins, and a longer-than-usual list of stickies. Their Sunday roast lunches are super-popular too—make sure you book.

The Duke Of Enmore

Enmore

Sydney pubs with fireplace The Duke of EnmoreLive gigs, hearty feeds, a pool table and a roaring fire in winter—does it get any better? The Duke is jazzed-up classic pub that's always a good time, and especially in the depths of winter when you can sink schooners by the fire. The menu here is packed with charcoal and wood-fired eats, too, so you can tuck into a belly-warming feed.

The Doss House

The Rocks

Sydney pubs with fireplace The Doss HouseAnother bar with a crackling fireplace is The Doss House. This historic site not only has a fire going in winter, but it's also a whisky den—so you can warm up with a dram from the inside out. The subterranean sandstone spot also offers a solid list of cocktails that make the most of its extensive whisky collection and you’ll be following it all up with their little menu of snacks and charcuterie boards.

Now check out the best winter pub roasts in Sydney.

Image credit: The Foxtrot, The Lord Dudley, The Glebe Hotel, The Hero Of Waterloo, The Foxtrot, The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, The Newport, The Old Fitzroy Hotel, The Riverview Hotel, The Duke Of Clarence, The Duke Of Enmore, The Doss House

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