Sydney’s Best Sports Bars For Game-Day Drinks, Wings And Big Screens

An ice-cold beer in hand, a basket of wings on the table, and the game playing across giant screens from every angle—there's no better way to catch the action than at a great sports bar.

Whether you're backing the Blues in State of Origin, settling in for the AFL Grand Final, staying up late for the Super Bowl, or following every minute of the Premier League season, Sydney is packed with venues that know how to bring the atmosphere. Think wall-to-wall screens, game-day food specials, flowing taps and crowds that cheer just as loudly as the fans in the stands.

From iconic pubs and American-style sports bars to waterfront venues and late-night hangouts, we've rounded up the best sports bars in Sydney for watching the big game.

Surly's American Tavern

182 Campbell Street, Surry Hills

Image credit: Surly's | Instagram

Adding to the significant surge of USA-themed bars in Sydney, Surly’s is an American BBQ joint that comes equipped with laidback vibes, neon beer signs, bar stools and live music. Recently opening as The Parlour Groups latest venture, Surly’s offers Surry Hills a true taste of Southern America and is accountable for inducing countless patrons into comfort food comas.

Insider Intel

• Weekends are packed with crowds who like embracing their freedom of speech by vocally cheering for the football, so either embrace it or sit away from widescreen TVs.

Billy Barry's

Corner Of Walker And Blue Street, 32 Walker Street, North Sydney

Image credit: Billy Barry's | Instagram

Conveniently perched opposite North Sydney Station, Billy Barry's has all the ingredients of a great sports bar: big screens, cold beers, hearty pub grub and a crowd that's always ready to get behind their team. Whether you're dropping in for the Premier League, a State of Origin showdown or a weekend of footy, the atmosphere is always lively.

The venue leans into classic pub comfort, with cosy booths, vintage touches and a menu stacked with burgers, schnitzels, pizzas and share plates designed for game-day grazing. Add a solid lineup of beers, cocktails and wines, and it's easy to see why Billy Barry's remains a North Sydney favourite.

Insider Intel

• This is also a great spot to drop in for a game of pool—or try your hand at one of their vintage arcade games. 

The Shakespeare Hotel

200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills

Image credit: The Shakespeare Hotel | Instagram

Affectionately known as "The Shakey", this heritage-listed Surry Hills pub has been pouring pints since 1879 and remains one of the area's most beloved watering holes. While it's best known for its old-world interiors, affordable pub meals and loyal local following, it's also a great place to settle in for a major sporting fixture with a schooner in hand.

Inside, you'll find multiple bars and plenty of space to spread out, from the character-filled public bar downstairs to the beautifully restored upper level. The atmosphere strikes that sweet spot between lively and laid-back, making it an ideal option for catching the footy, cricket or a big international match without the overwhelming crowds of larger sports venues.

Insider Intel

• The kitchen serves daily specials from open until close, making The Shakey one of the best-value spots in Sydney to pair game day with a proper pub feed.

BrewDog South Eveleigh

Bays 1 & 2, Locomotive Workshop, South Eveleigh

Image credit: Brewdog South Eveleigh | Instagram

Housed within the historic Locomotive Workshop precinct, Brewdog South Eveleigh is an enormous craft beer destination—combining industrial heritage charm with all the essentials of a top-tier sports bar, making it a popular spot for everything from State of Origin and UFC to international football and major sporting finals.

With dozens of taps pouring BrewDog favourites alongside rotating guest beers, there's no shortage of options to keep the drinks flowing while you watch the action. The food menu is equally game-day friendly, loaded with burgers, wings, pizzas and share plates designed for settling in over a few hours of sport.

Insider Intel

• Arrive early for major fixtures—the venue's enormous size doesn't stop it from filling up quickly.

The Woodstock

Corner Woodstock Avenue and Duke Street, Rooty Hill

Image credit: The Woodstock | Instagram

One of Western Sydney's most iconic pubs, The Woodstock is best known for its sprawling outdoor spaces, family friendly bistro, and events centre—but their state-of-the-art sports bar is boasting plenty of action on the big screens, with high-top seating and a dedicated lounge.

In terms of food, you should expect all the best bistro bites—for both picky kids and adults who need a good feed. Mediterranean pub classics are the star of the show: woodfired pizzas, chargrilled meats, and large share-style dishes perfect for feeding all sorts of eaters. 

Insider Intel

• Bonus points are awarded for the $12 kids menu, where all meals come with a complimentary soft drink or juice. 

The Vic On The Park

2 Addison Road, Marrickville

Image credit: The Vic On The Park | Instagram

This dog-friendly Addison Road boozer is one of the Inner West's most loved pubs. Part of the mighty Merivale empire, The Vic on The Park has lots of cool qualities that make it a great option for settling in for of the game.

For starters, they're pouring fresh craft brews from neighbouring Grifter Brewery, alongside a smorgasbord of live music gigs, a killer bottle shop, and a usable basketball court—made sweeter by all the live and loud sport you could possibly dream of on the big screen.

Public House

292 Stanmore Road, Petersham

Image credit: Public House | Instagram

Inspired by the industrial warehouse designed spaces of Brooklyn, Public House Petersham is the epitome of cool. They’ve built a social common room with pool tables and a huge projector—think giant bean bags with booze on tap for game day watching. There’s even a games arcade for all of those epic pre-dinner pinball battles and to top it off, a dance party area disguised as a car park.

Insider Intel

• For big events like Anzac or Australia Day, said carpark comes alive to bring residents of Stanmore Street the best block party it’s ever seen.

The Light Brigade

Oxford Street &, Jersey Road, Woollahra

Image credit: The Light Brigade | Instagram

If you like your game-day viewing with a side of skyline views, The Light Brigade is hard to beat. Spread across multiple levels in the heart of Sydney’s east, this long-standing Oxford Street venue combines the energy of a classic sports pub with the versatility of a modern hospitality destination.

The ground-floor sports bar is where the action happens, screening major sporting events alongside a menu of pub favourites and ice-cold beers. Once the final whistle blows, you can move upstairs for a more relaxed bistro experience or head all the way to the rooftop terrace for sweeping views across the city skyline.

Insider Intel

• Arrive early for major sporting events—the ground-floor sports bar operates on a walk-in-only basis and is one of the area’s most popular spots for catching big games live and loud.

Keg & Brew

26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

Image credit: Keg & Brew | Supplied

When it comes to watching live sport in Sydney, Keg & Brew has all the essentials covered: cold beer, plenty of screens, hearty pub grub and a rooftop setup that's hard to beat. Following a major renovation, this heritage-listed Surry Hills pub now spans four levels, offering everything from casual pints downstairs to group-friendly function spaces and an open-air rooftop with sweeping city views.

The real game changer is upstairs, where one of Australia's largest outdoor TV screens takes centre stage. Whether you're settling in for State of Origin, the AFL Grand Final or a late-night international fixture, you'll have a front-row seat without needing to leave your bar stool. Pair the action with a craft beer from one of the venue's 50 taps and you've got one of Sydney's best sports-watching destinations.

Insider Intel

• Head straight to the rooftop for major sporting events—the giant screen, city skyline views and pizza oven make it one of the most atmospheric game-day setups.

The Edinburgh Castle Hotel

294 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD

Image credit: The Edinburgh Castle Hotel | Supplied

Few pubs in Sydney strike the balance between heritage charm and modern hospitality quite like The Edinburgh Castle. Located on the edge of the CBD, this beautifully restored watering hole has become a favourite for after-work drinks, long lunches and, importantly, catching the big game with a crowd.

Inside, you'll find plenty of screens showing major sporting events, alongside a strong lineup of craft beers, Australian wines and elevated pub fare. The menu goes well beyond your standard sports-bar snacks too, with everything from barramundi burgers and lamb cutlets to crispy fried squid and house-made potato scallops helping fuel marathon game-day sessions.

Insider Intel

• If you're settling in for a few hours of sport, pair your meal with one of the pub's signature cocktails—the salted caramel espresso martini has developed something of a cult following among regulars.

Hotel Coronation

5–7 Park Street, Sydney

Image credit: Hotel Coronation | Supplied

Right in the heart of the CBD, Hotel Coronation is a reliable game-day destination for anyone looking to catch the action without venturing too far from the office—or the train station. This long-running city pub combines classic sports-bar energy with a central location, making it a popular choice for everything from State of Origin showdowns to international sporting events.

Expect cold beers on tap, big screens showing the latest fixtures and a crowd that's always ready to get behind the home team. The bistro menu covers all the pub staples you'd want while watching sport, including steaks, schnitzels and burgers, making it easy to settle in for an afternoon or evening of action.

Insider Intel

• Its unbeatable location opposite Town Hall Station makes Hotel Coronation one of the easiest sports bars in Sydney to get to—and an even easier place to meet the crew before a major game.

Duke Of Dural

3 Kenthurst Road, Dural

Image credit: Duke of Dural | Supplied

If you prefer your game-day viewing with a side of premium steak, Duke of Dural has you covered. This Hills District favourite combines all the makings of a classic sports pub—big screens, flowing taps and a lively crowd—with a more elevated food offering centred around dry-aged steaks, seafood and pub classics cooked over a live-fire Josper oven.

Whether you're settling in for an afternoon of footy, catching an international fixture with mates or making a night of it with dinner and drinks, the spacious venue offers plenty of room to spread out and soak up the atmosphere. With regular live sport screenings and a strong local following, it's become one of Western Sydney's go-to spots for game day.

Insider Intel

• Swing by between 3pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday, for the venue's "Happiest Hour" specials, with $7 house beers, wines and spirits helping kick off game day without blowing the budget.

Marrickville Tavern

296 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Image credit: Marrickville Tavern | Instagram

For a classic sports pub experience in the Inner West, Marrickville Tavern delivers all the game-day essentials. Think big screens, an old-school oak bar, cold beers on tap and a lively crowd that's always up for backing the home team. Whether you're tuning into the NRL, State of Origin, UFC or international sport, this local favourite knows how to turn every fixture into an event.

Recently refreshed while retaining its neighbourhood charm, the venue strikes the perfect balance between sports bar and community pub. Pull up a seat with a few mates, order a round of beers and settle in for an afternoon of action, with plenty of pub classics on hand to keep hunger at bay between innings, quarters and rounds.

Insider Intel

• Major sporting events come with plenty of extras, from discounted beer jugs and schooner specials to jersey giveaways and live-and-loud screenings that regularly pack out the venue.

Taffy's Sports Bar At The Oaks

118 Military Road, Neutral Bay

Image credit: The Oaks | Instagram

Tucked inside The Oaks, Taffy's Sports Bar is where North Shore sports fans go when they don't want to miss a second of the action. Both a local pub and dedicated game-day hub, the space is fitted with big screens, comfortable booth seating and a lively atmosphere that comes alive during major sporting events.

Whether you're settling in for the FIFA World Cup, State of Origin, the NBA Finals or a weekend of footy, Taffy's lets you watch every play with a cold beer in hand and a full pub menu at your fingertips. 

Insider Intel

 

• Taffy's is showing FIFA World Cup matches live and loud, with $1 Asahi pint upgrades available during games—making it one of Sydney's best spots to catch Australia in action this tournament.

 

The Lord Gladstone

115 Regent Street, Chippendale

Image credit: Chippo Lord | Instagram

Classic corner pub, and Inner West institution, The Lord Gladstone has long been a favourite for cheap eats, cold beers and lively weekends. While it's perhaps better known for its sprawling courtyard and rotating cultural events, it's also a solid pick for catching live sport in a relaxed, community-focused setting.

Inside, you'll find all the hallmarks of a great Sydney pub—exposed brick, flowing craft beer taps and a menu packed with crowd-pleasing favourites. Burgers, schnitzels and wings headline the food offering, making it easy to settle in for a long afternoon of footy, cricket or whatever major sporting event is on the schedule.

Insider Intel

• Time your visit around the venue's weekly specials, with $10 burgers on Mondays and Tuesdays and $5 baskets of wings on Thursdays offering some of the best-value game-day feeds in Sydney.

East Village

234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst

Image credit: East Village | Instagram

If you're serious about sport, make your way upstairs at East Village. This four-level Darlinghurst institution is home to the Athletic Club—a dedicated sports bar that feels worlds away from the rest of the venue, complete with dark timber panelling, leather booths, big screens and a nostalgic members-club atmosphere.

It's the ideal place to settle in for everything from State of Origin and the AFL Grand Final to international fixtures, with plenty of seating, strong pours and a lively crowd helping build the atmosphere. The rest of the venue offers plenty of reasons to stick around before and after the game too, including a bustling public bar downstairs and one of Sydney's most popular rooftop terraces upstairs.

Insider Intel

• With multiple screens, booth seating and a drinks list packed with whiskies, boilermakers and classic cocktails, it's one of Sydney's most stylish places to watch the big game.

Main image credit: Surly's | Instagram

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