Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE
The Rocks has been intoxicated since convict times, with several local pubs dating back to settlement days. The
area, particularly along George St, is very touristy, but it's still an interesting place for a brew or two. Circular
Quay's eastern shore is lined with mod bars serving pricey drinks, with tables spilling across the promenade.
OPERA BAR
BAR, LIVE MUSIC
(
www.operabar.com.au
;
lower concourse, Sydney Opera House; 11.30am-midnight Sun-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat;
Circular Quay)
Opera Bar puts all other beer gardens to shame. Right on the harbour with the
Opera House on one side and the Harbour Bridge on the other, this perfectly positioned ter-
race manages a very Sydney marriage of the laid-back and the sophisticated. There's live
music from 8.30pm weekdays and 2pm on weekends.
HERO OF WATERLOO
Circular Quay)
Enter this rough-hewn 1843 sandstone pub to meet some locals, chat up the
Irish bar staff and grab an earful of the swing, folk, bluegrass and Celtic bands (Friday to
Sunday). Downstairs is an original dungeon where drinkers would sleep off a heavy night
before being shanghaied to the high seas via a tunnel leading straight to the harbour.
PUB, LIVE MUSIC
LORD NELSON BREWERY HOTEL
Built in 1836 and converted into a pub in 1841, the 'Nello' claims to be Sydney's oldest
pub (as do two other pubs). The on-site brewery cooks up robust stouts and ales (try the
Old Admiral Ale), and there's decent midrange accommodation upstairs if you've had a
few too many.
PUB, BREWERY
HARBOUR VIEW HOTEL
( 9252 4111;
www.harbourview.com.au
;
18 Lower Fort St; 11am-midnight Mon-Sat, to 10pm Sun; Circular
Quay)
Built in the 1920s, the curvilicious Harbour View was the main boozer for the Har-
bour Bridge construction crew. These days it fulfils the same duties for the BridgeClimbers
- wave to them from the 2nd-floor balcony as they traverse the lofty girders. The Tooth's
KB Lager listed on the tiles out the front is long gone, but there's plenty of Heineken and
Boag's on tap.
PUB
ARGYLE
BARS, DJ
