Casual, cruisey and timeless, there is something so deeply comforting about the humble pub. Taps of cold beer, wine by the glass, chicken schnitzels, sport on the telly, happy hours and tables full of mates. If you’re ready to brave the odd steep incline, Surry Hills in Sydney’s/Eora's Inner East makes a worthy destination for your perfect pub odyssey.
Surry Hills has a variety of classic pubs—seemingly on every corner—and each of them has had to step up their food and drinks game to stay relevant in the increasingly upmarket area. The result is an array of pubs offering wildly diverse dining and drinking options ready for you to nominate as your home away from home.
Here is Urban List's take on the best pubs in Surry Hills.
The Clock
470 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Clock | Instagram
There’s always something on at this community-focused Surry Hills boozer, from cocktail takeovers to big game day screenings. The Clock has been around since 1893, but you would never know with its updated modern fit out complete with a sunken courtyard, street bar, upstairs dancefloor and infamous balcony—no doubt the best seat in the house.
The food menu is slightly more upmarket than your usual pub with top-quality produce and pricey meat cuts, plus an affordable kid-friendly menu, while the drinks list covers cocktails, wine, beer, seltzers and non-alc options.
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Swing into The Clock on Sunday for $2 oysters, $15 margaritas and a full-on $30 roast.
The Carrington
565 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Carrington | Instagram
The Carro is an all-rounder pub that welcomes pups, punters and professional baby sitters (aka parents with lil bubs). Sprawling indoor and outdoor areas make it easy to pull up a chair anywhere, any day of the week (it gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights), and dig into a classic pub feed of schnittys, parmas and burgers, plus daily house-made pasta from Grana.
As for drinks, independent brewery beers and classic brands are on tap, alongside a strong selection of Australian vino from Yarra Valley to McLaren Vale. Head there at happy hour Monday–Friday, 4pm–6pm for cheap drinks and check out the weekly specials like steak nights and Sunday roasts.
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This is one of Surry Hills’ most family-friendly pubs, boasting a kids menu and a dog menu filled with bougie pooch-approved treats like beef tartare and pup-cakes.
The Beresford
354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Beresford | Instagram
If you’re searching for a Surry Hills pub, The Beresford is a no-brainer. It has tip-top drinks, drool-worthy bistro bites, and good-time energy to boot—and it throws a mean party upstairs with rotating DJs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The leafy beer garden is primed for sunny weekend lunches, dog roaming, and post-work catchups, especially at happy hour (Tuesday–Sunday, 5pm–7pm) when you can grab a knock-off wine for $7 and Aperol spritzes for $14. Wood-fired pizza and homemade pasta sits next to pub faves and share plates.
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This Surry Hills pub is great for groups with a pre-order platter and pizza menu for 10-20 guests.
Cricketers Arms
106 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Cricketers Arms | Instagram
Mosey into the Cricketers Arms, where the patrons are young, the decor is old and the attitude is cheeky. Boasting the title of Sydney’s Best Pub (1972), the Crix doesn’t take itself too seriously—the main bar is loud, wooden and full of people having a fun night, chatting, yelling and wasting time.
There’s a very smoky courtyard and—somewhat paradoxically—a flash French bistro upstairs called Chez Crix. Wander up for fun and easy-going French-leaning fare like steak frites, croquettes, and terrine served alongside a menu of natural vino and easy-drinking local beers on tap. Walk-ins only or book Chez Crix online.
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Stop by late into the night before kick-ons or sharpen your pool skills with free games every Sunday.
Hollywood Hotel
2 Foster Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Hollywood Hotel | Instagram
This pint-sized corner bar is one of Sydney's most beloved boozers. Hollywood Hotel is a longtime local favourite, but attracts a fashionable crowd too, usually starting or ending a night out on the town.
First opened by actress Doris Goddard, Sydney's first female publican, inside you'll find Hollywood memorabilia on the wood-panelled walls, a spinning disco ball, an old jukebox, toasties, and classic beers on tap. Pull up in one of the red booths for the night or bust a move on the makeshift dancefloor. Walk-ins only.
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Keep an eye on HH’s socials for live gigs and exciting collabs.
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Royal Albert Hotel
140 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Royal Albert | Instagram
Even though they’ve been slinging suds since 1927, the Royal Albert Hotel has not had to update much to retain its perfect pub experience. The front bar is a classic bar furnished with leather stools, stained glass and wooden surfaces lovingly scuffed by years of hard use.
The TV screens here don’t show sport, instead listing various on-tap craft beers. Classic meets modern all over Alby’s Smokehouse menu starring smoked chicken, nachos, hot dogs and share plates, which pairs well with a seat in the cosy courtyard.
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The street-side tables suit families and furry friends, plus there’s free trivia here on Tuesdays.
Shakespeare Hotel
200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Shakespeare Hotel | Instagram
With a main bar decked out in sepia-coloured tiles, nostalgic red patterned carpets, creaky stairs, and vintage mirrors, it is clear that The Shakey is proudly old school. And why wouldn’t they be? There’s an unchanged charm about the place; locals chat with bar staff like they’re in a sitcom, regulars nervously watch the Bunnies on TV and seemingly every sign is hand-painted.
Yet the Shakey is not immune to a few modern changes, including a range of pet nats, cocktails (including the dangerous Devonshire Iced Tea), and a bistro menu featuring eclectic specials. Dogs are also welcome in the front bar, which always seems to be in a relaxing chatter. It’s a divey joint that has retained an authentic Australiana charm worthy of a place in your heart. Walk-ins only.
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Weekends are jam-packed with drag karaoke on Saturdays and crafternoons and Sundays.
The Dolphin Hotel
412 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Dolphin | Instagram
Few pubs can offer such a variety of vibes while remaining as true to themselves as The Dolphin Hotel. A Crown Street fixture for many years, The Dolphin hovers somewhere between a modern pub, a multi-storey bar and Italo-Australian restaurant, delivering top-notch wood-fired pizza and pasta in a breezy atmosphere. Groups will love the shared mezze dishes as well as a hefty wine list alongside tap beers.
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Unlike other taphouses, this Surry Hills pub is known for its 100-strong wine list featuring local and international producers.
Forrester’s
336 Riley Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Forrester's | Instagram
Perched at the top of one of Surry Hills' steepest hills, Forrester’s is a classic watering hole that's well over 100 years old. These days, the Applejack Hospitality team is running the show and while they've smartened things up—added a cocktail bar, a bottomless lunch, and a Tuesday dog happy hour ("Yappy Hour")—you can still expect to encounter a tried and true pub vibe every night of the week.
On Mondays, steaks are $18, Wednesday is trivia night, and there's live music in the bar on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Forrester's is also now famous for The Big Yorkie, a full roast dinner served in an enormous Yorkshire pudding.
The Trinity
505 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Trinity | Instagram
The downstairs of The Trinity resembles one of the cornerstones of contemporary Australian culture: the pool room. It is a boozy living room lined with books, kegs, sports memorabilia, pies with mashed potato and gravy and Guinness sales in the top 50 of NSW.
If you want to get away from the sport however—which is often played loud enough to hear the commentators—pop upstairs to the open-roofed Tilly May’s, a sleek and laidback cocktail lounge. Tilly May’s has its own menu of share plates, salad bowls, and dessert specials as well as cocktails, gin, wines by the glass or bottle and a stunning international range of bourbon, scotch, and whiskey.
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The crew here also operate a few other pubs we love like The Bellevue Hotel just down the road in Paddington and Rag & Famish in North Sydney.
Dove & Olive
156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Dove & Olive | Instagram
Lively, leathery and gorgeous, there is a smile on every face in the Dove & Olive. Downstairs features a 26-tap craft beer stacked bar (which you can explore with a $16.90 beer-tasting paddle) among smoky teal walls and black and white framed photographs of sporting greats. Upstairs features mafia-esque booths made for drinking and feasting with friends while the sun shimmers through the panelled glass windows at golden hour.
Even the smoking section is nice here, that’s how good the Dove & Olive is. You could read about their multiple pub food awards or you could prove it to yourself by ordering a bowl of spag bol or gnocchi pomodoro ($15 every weekday at lunch). We recommend getting a cheeky side of fresh fried potato scallops—they’re some of the best we’ve tried.
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There’s a few plant-based options too, like a vegan schnitty, fried cauliflower and a veggie burger that can be made vegan by ditching the bun.
Keg & Brew
26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Keg & Brew | Instagram
Keg & Brew is a four-storey Surry Hills pub with heaps to explore. On the street level, it's a classic pub with a cowboy theme, animal heads, cowhides and booth seating. Beer lovers are in heaven here with 31 taps featuring pub favourites and limited craft releases.
Head up to level one or two to wine and dine in their modern bistro dining areas with French and Italian wines available by the glass. However, the most lively place is the green and serene rooftop—with city views and an open kitchen, it is a great place to enjoy a sunny afternoon session.
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Grab 2-for-1 pizzas on Saturdays and head up to the rooftop bar for a sunny Surry Hills affair.
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Main image credit: The Dolphin Hotel | Instagram
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