Anzac Day is about commemorating our diggers and, thankfully, Sydney has plenty of spots open to gather with the community and enjoy the public holiday on April 25 with a tasty meal, frosty drink, and a cheeky game of two-up.
These are the best spots to celebrate the Anzac Day public holiday in Sydney.
Coogee Bay Hotel
Coogee | Open from 6am
Following the dawn service on the beach, head up to Coogee Bay Hotel for digger’s breakfast specials, or two-up tosses from 12pm. Learn more here.
Lady Hampshire
Camperdown | Open from 12pm
The newly reopened Lady Hampshire is hosting smooth rockers Thunderfox for a free gig, with $15 Hawkes jugs, $6 tinnies, $15 burgers and two-up hosted by FANGZ. Learn more here.
The Argyle
The Rocks | Open from 11am
Enjoy an Aussie BBQ from 11am at The Argyle, before the sandstone courtyard is transformed into a giant two-up arena from 2pm.
Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre
Marrickville | Open from 12pm
Enjoy bar snacks from Lucky Prawn and play two-up between midday and 4.30pm, followed by a performance by ARIA-award-winning artist Tim Rogers at 6pm. Entry is $20 at the door with proceeds donated to Legacy—learn more here.
Forrester’s
Surry Hills | Open from 10am
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Grab a brekkie burger special from 10am at Forrester's, get in on two-up from midday until sundown, and catch the live pipe band playing throughout the day, with $1 from every schooner of Newtowner going to Legacy. More info here.
The Golden Sheaf Hotel
Double Bay | Open from 10am
Head to The Sheaf for games of two-up from noon, classic Aussie food including a sausage sizzle and prawn rolls, a pop-up tinnie bar and DJs spinning into the evening. Click here to find out more.
Camelia Grove
Alexandria | Open from 12pm
Spend a fun-filled Anzac Day with $7 schooners and $15 wood-fired pizzas, with two-up from noon. Learn more here.
The Clock Hotel
Surry Hills | Open from 10am
Eats and entertainment are on the cards, and two-up can be played from the ground level (in the usual way) or upstairs with a fishing rod. Click here to find out more.
The Australian Heritage Hotel
The Rocks | Open from 7am
Follow up the dawn service with bacon and egg rolls and coffee. There'll be live music from 10am, and two-up games taking over Cumberland Street from midday. Click here for more info.
The Dolphin Hotel
Surry Hills | Open from 10am
Get among the largest two-up ring in Surry Hills taking over the entire dining room, with an epic rissole sandwich on special. More info here.
Kings Cross Hotel
Potts Point | Open from 9am
A special breakfast menu will be served 9am–12pm, with Aussie food classics available all day, and you can get involved in two-up hosted by fabulous drag queens from midday. More info here.
Cargo Bar
Darling Harbour | Open from 10am
Head in for a bacon and egg roll from 10am, catch two-up from midday hosted by legendary Australian rugby union footballer Morgan Turinui, and live music from 3pm to 6pm. Click here for more info.
The Bank
Newtown | Open from 10am
For the eleventh year, larger-than-life drag queen Tora Hymen will host a fabulous game of two-up from noon in the beer garden, and DJs will hit the decks from 6pm till late. Find out more here.
Sackville Hotel
Rozelle | Open from 12pm
Head to Sacky’s for the outdoor Balter bar, pub feeds, and an enormous two-up stadium in the car park. Learn more here.
Public House Petersham
Petersham | Open from 12pm
Head to PHP for a two-up ring in the carpark, complete with grandstand seating, a draught beer bar, and BBQ, plus DJs from 6pm. Find out more here.
Courthouse Hotel
Newtown | Open from 12pm
Play two-up in Newtown’s favourite beer garden from midday. More info here.
Edinburgh Castle Hotel
Sydney CBD | Open from 8am
Try your luck at two-up from noon in this central CBD location, with food specials on the barbie all day. Click here to find out more.
Harry’s
Surry Hills | Open from 10am
Two-up will be played in the public bar from midday, and food specials on all day including an insane deep-fried Golden Gaytime. $1 from every Toohey’s New will go to Legacy. Click here for more info.
Paddo Inn
Paddington | Open from 10am
Food specials will be on all day from the pub and Il Baretto, with two-up from midday in the main bar and DJs into the evening. Find out more here.
The Erko
Erskineville | Open from 10am
Head to the Erko for dog-friendly two-up from midday in the main bar. Click here to find out more.
The Glenmore
The Rocks | Open from 12pm
Soak up some of Sydney’s best rooftop views alongside live tunes from local DJs and bands, a marching band, and two-up games kicking off at noon. See more here.
The Marly
Newtown | Open from 12pm
There'll be cold beer, two-up from 1pm and DJs spinning tunes from 6pm. Click here for more info.
The Regent
Kingsford | Open from 12pm
Play two-up in the main bar from midday, and grab deliciously crispy spit roast pork rolls, available all day. Click here to find out more.
The Beresford
Surry Hills | Open from 12pm
Bring the doggo to The Beresford for games of two-up from 1pm hosted by glam queen Jacqui St Hyde.
The Bridgeview
Willoughby | Open from 12pm
Play two-up on the rooftop and enjoy food specials all day. Head here for more info.
The Albion Hotel
Parramatta | Open from 1pm
Play Parramatta’s biggest two-up in the carpark from 1pm until sundown, with live entertainment and food specials all day and DJs spinning all night, too. Find out more here.
The Newport
Newport | Open from 12pm
This huge dog-friendly pub will have two-up from 1 pm, and live entertainment.
North Bondi Fish
North Bondi | Open from 11.30am
Order lunch and dinner off NBF’s a la carte menu, and live music and DJs between 12pm and 6pm. Book your spot here.
BrewDog
Everleigh | Open from 11am
Play two-up in the beer garden between midday and 5pm, enjoy 40+ beers on tap, and bring the doggo. To book, click here.
Bungalow 8
Darling Harbour | Open from 12pm
The venue is offering 25% off food and drink for all active and former servicepeople until 2pm, and there'll be live music from 3pm. Bookings are encouraged here.
The Paddington
Paddington | Open from 12pm
Get into the Anzac Day spirit with games of two-up in The Paddington's front bar from midday, hosted by Danny Clayton, or swing in en route to Allianz Stadium for the game.
Vic On The Park
Marrickville | Open from 12pm
There'll be two-up from midday at the Vic on the Park, hosted by Auntie Johnny, and live music from 6pm at this super dog-friendly pub.
The Fiddler
Rouse Hill | Open from 12pm
Head in to The Fiddler for two-up in the beer garden from 12pm, and DJs from the Rouse Hills Rams Cricket Club playing Aussie classics all day.
The Alex
Alexandria | Open from 12pm
Catch live entertainment and two-up from midday, with dogs welcome.
The Lansdowne
Chippendale | Open from 12pm
Play two-up from 12 pm onwards. You can also grab $5 schooners and catch live music from 7 pm. Click here to learn more.
Carousel Inn
Rooty Hill | Open from 12pm
Catch a mega two-up arena in the carpark, live music, a sausage sizzle, food specials plus multiple bars outside and inside. More info here.
Feel like getting active on your day off? Check out the best hikes around Sydney and NSW.
Image credit: The Argyle (Anna Kucera), Forrester's, The Dolphin, Courthouse Hotel, The Glenmore (Anna Kucera), Vic on the Park