The citywide sea of red jerseys and scarfs last weekend for the Swans’ preliminary finals are an indicator of the number of fans that will flock to venues this Saturday to watch the AFL grand final between the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions.

As the two teams clash at the MCG, Sydneysiders have no choice but to find the best screens – with the best food and drink options – and watch the clash in town.

Here are our picks to catch the game on Saturday.

Curly Lewis Brewing, Bondi Beach
The Curly Lewis is used to sandy-toed clients streaming in from the beachfront, but on Saturday afternoon fans will be dressed top to toe in red and white, blending in with the Swans banners camouflaging the venue. Two big projectors will shine on the wall while patrons sit among the beer tanks. The deals this weekend include $25 Bondi Hazy jugs and live music after the game, while on the menu will be elevated pub-food classics like prawn toast with Vietnamese mint and yuzu mayo, and fish battered in Bondi Hazy Ale with a mixed salad, chips and tartare sauce.
102-106 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, curlylewis.com.au

The Dolphin, Surry Hills
The Swans crowd at The Dolphin will be loud, electric and tucking into tap beer deals such as Heaps Normal for $6, and Hahn Super Dry at $8. A special cocktail, the Swan Song Spritz (Campari, passionfruit, sparkling wine and lemon juice) will be available for $15, but only if you are wearing the team colours. At half-time, there is an auction for a signed 2024 Swans jersey, and a DJ starts at 6pm. Food is classic Dolphin fare featuring their much-loved pizzas, like the Salsiccia topped with sausage, buffalo mozzarella, n’duja and fontina cheese.
412 Crown St, Surry Hills, dolphinhotel.com.au

Albion, Parramatta
Many of Albion’s locals seek out this venue for the AFL and family-friendly vibe. With $7 VB schooners, you can watch the game on the large screen outside in the beer garden. The Albion recommends the sirloin steak with rocket, parmesan and chips and anything from their new spring menu, like the chermoula chicken burger with slaw and chilli mayo, or the spiced pumpkin burger with tomato, lettuce and harissa, to pair with the game.
135 George St, Parramatta, albionhotel.com.au

Tudor Hotel, Redfern
The Tudor Hotel has Swans-themed shirts, scarfs, banners, posters and player cut-outs ready and waiting. They’re giving away shirts with every jug of White Bay beer and have a pint-for-schooner deal on Grifter Pale Ale. Classic pub food offerings are as usual, but a couple of dishes have been updated for summer, including a new chicken burger, an oozing, rich lasagne and a vegetable tart.
90 Pitt St, Redfern, tudorhotel.com.au

Paddo Inn, Paddington
The Paddo Inn might win the prize for the hardest Swans venue to miss, with its lit, red exterior and balloon arch. Elevated pub fare will be streaming out of the kitchen, including chicken schnitzel with parmigiano, cos lettuce, fries and aioli. Drink specials include Carlton Dry pints at schooner prices, and a Berry Sour cocktail with cherry vodka, gin and lemon over ice.
338 Oxford St, Paddington, paddoinn.com.au

Penny’s Hotel, Potts Point
Penny’s Hotel says all its Swans decorations will be up on Saturday. The deal of the day is a burger and a beer for $15 from 10am-2.30pm, and a new menu ranges from duck spring rolls with sesame hoisin sauce to prawn linguine with chilli, garlic, cherry tomatoes, spinach and pangrattato. There are trivia and pass-the-ball, AFL-style games during half-time and after the match, and as always on a Saturday night at Penny’s, classic retro party tunes will play afterwards.
9/15 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point, pennyshotel.com.au

Huxley’s, Caringbah
This popular sports bar with a loyal patronage, has become the go-to place in the shire to watch the AFL. Known for the classic Huxley burgers and the beer tower, there will be 30 televisions streaming the game, so patrons don’t need to leave their table to watch.
22-24 MacKay St, Caringbah, highfieldcaringbah.com.au

Dick’s, Balmain
Swans game days at Dick’s are shoulder-to-shoulder packed, with the match streamed live in every room. They’ll be serving classic pub food, such as pork and fennel sausage rolls and chicken wings with hot sauce and blue cheese dip, along with local White Bay beers on tap. This is classic sports bar where young families and their dogs can go to enjoy the match.
89 Beattie St, Balmain, dickshotelbalmain.com