Sydney Eat Street: Best places to raise a glass to our brave Diggers on Anzac Day
Mark this Anzac Day with a Dawn Service, then a visit to any number of pubs and clubs for a game of two-up, some hearty foods, and a drink with mates.
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Mark this Anzac Day with a dawn service, then a visit to any number of pubs and clubs for a fame of two-up, some hearty foods, and a drink with mates.
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Tradition is at the heart of Anzac Day, commemorating those who have sacrificed so much for us.
The Gunfire Breakfast isn’t an official part of the ceremony but an important tradition, borne out of having a cup of tea before the morning parade or with rum for a dose of courage before battle.
However, at most RSL clubs, it’s more of a hot breakfast, typically available after the dawn service.
Forestville RSL
Details: Dawn Service will be followed by breakfast. Later in the day, thereÕll be two-up outdoors (sponsored by Forest Rugby Club) and live music from 2pm
Dawn Service: Service at 5.25am followed by plated breakfast at 6.15am. .
Two-up: Outdoors, 1pm-5pm.
Time: Club opens at 11am.
Contact: 22 Melwood Ave, Forestville; forestvillersl.com.au
Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL
Details: Cafe Brass will open at 4am before Dawn Services, after which will a gunfire breakfast (breakfast buffet, $10). Later in the day, live music, BBQ, outdoor bars, and NRL double-header on the big screens, as well as fundraising raffle that include meat tray (tickets go on sale at 2.30pm and winner will be drawn at 4.30pm).
Dawn Service: Outdoor seating from 5am. Service begins at 5.30am.
Two-up: Two-up school from midday.
Time: From 6.15am.
Contact: 20-26 Canterbury Rd, Hurlstone Park; chprsl.com.au
Ingleburn RSL
Details: Dawn service followed by breakfast followed by breakfast. Members cash prizes on the hour from 12pm. Salute restaurant will have Anzac Day specials on the menu and will take booking for lunch, 11.30am-2.30pm and dinner, 5.30pm-8.30pm.
Dawn Service: Following the Parade from Warbler Ave (4.45am). Dawn Service will commence at 5am at Ingleburn RSL Memorial Garden located at the entrance to the Club’s car park.
Time: Club and Poppy Cafe open at 6am with breakfast rolls from 6.30am
Contact: 70 Chester Rd, Ingleburn; ingleburnrsl.com.au
North Bondi RSL Club
Dawn Service: Service is beachside, in front of the club at 6am.
Two-up: From midday in the courtyard.
Time: From 9pm.
Contact: 118-120 Ramsgate Ave, Bondi; northbondirsl.com.au
North Ryde RSL
Details: There’ll be an Anzac March to the club followed by Dawn Service and a free sausage sizzle for all attended the service. Sub-branch refreshments in the clubÕs auditorium from 8am, food specials and live entertainment, throughout the day plus two-up and a sunset service.
Dawn Service: For the Anzac March to the club, assemble at North Ryde Oval, Cressy Rd at 6am for a 6.45am start. Service is at 7am at the clubÕs cenotaph in the Memorial Garden. There’ll also be a sunset service at 5pm.
Two-up: From midday in the Heritage Lounge.
Contact: Cnr Pittwater and Magdala Rds, North Ryde; northrydersl.com.au
Pittwater RSL
Details: Dawn service followed by breakfast of bacon & egg roll ($9.50) or full-plated breakfast ($23) from 6.30am. Food and drink specials throughout the day, music from Aria Award winner Conrad Sewell, as well as the largest outdoor two-up on the Northern Beaches.
Dawn Service: 5.20am
Two-up: 12pm-5pm
Time: From 6.30am till late.
Contact: 82 Mona Vale Rd, Mona Vale; pittwaterrsl.com.au
Blackheath / Mt Victoria RSL
Details: Folliowin the Dawn service, thereÕll be a gunfire breakfast in the clubÕs hall where $5 donation will get you a bacon &egg sandwich and a tot of rum.
Dawn Service: Dawn service will commence at 6am. Assembly for the Anzac March will be at 10.15am at Victory Theatre carpark, and will commence at 10.45am followed by the main service at 11am at Memorial Park, Mt. Victoria Memorial Parkthe Anzac March will begin at 10.45am
Contact: 2 Bundarra Street Blackheath NSW 2785
Dee Why RSL
Details: Dawn Service on the beach followed by Anzac Day Breakfast (from 6.30am)of bacon & egg roll ($5 at Battery House) or full breakfast ($5 in Bistro). ThereÕll be two-up and live music in the courtyard later in the day.
Dawn Service: 5.30am at Dee Why Beach, followed by breakfast from 6.30am.
Two-up: From 12pm in the Showroom (Level 3).
Contact: 932 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why; deewhyrsl.com.au
THE ROCKS
Many a story of mateship has been told along the cobblestone laneways of this historic precinct, so it’s fitting that The Rocks will play host to an array of Anzac Day activities and celebrations.
At 5am, Sydney’s oldest pub, the Fortune of War, will turn on its lights and start serving breakfast from 6am, while the Australian Heritage Hotel will get moving from 7am, and the Glenmore Hotel opens at 9am.
For those getting into the city closer to noon, the Argyle will start sizzling sausages from 11am as the courtyard morphs into a giant two-up arena from 2pm.
The Australian Heritage Hotel
Details: Opens early to serve bacon & egg rolls and coffee. Food stalls, outdoor bars, and live music throughout the day
Two-up: Taking over Cumberland St, games of Two-up will commence at midday.
Time: From 7am.
Contact: 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks; australianheritagehotel.com
The Fortune of War
Details: Breakfast from 6am with live music throughout the day.
Time: From 5am.
Contact: 137 George St, The Rocks; Fortuneofwar.com.au
The Glenmore
Details: The GlenmooreÕs rooftop with its stunning view over Sydney Harbour with be your destination for two-up and all-day music from The Scotts Marching Band, The Hot Potato Band, and house DJs.
Two-up: From noon.
Time: From 9am.
Contact: 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks; theglenmore.com.au
The Argyle
Details: A true-blue Aussie BBQ, live music, and a two-up stage in the sandstone courtyard.
Two-up: From 2pm
Time: From 11am.
Contact: 18 Argyle St, The Rocks; theargylerocks.com
The Orient
Details: The Orient’s famous live music will be running all day.
Time: From 10am.
Contact: 89 George St, The Rocks; orienthotel.com.au
The Mercantile
Details: Live entertainment from Martin Horan, Soniks Duo and Shaylee Wilde and The Mercantile’s annual two-up tournament
Two-up: From 1pm
Time: From 12pm
Contact: 25 George St, The Rocks; themercantilehotel.com.au
Endeavour Tap Rooms
Details: House-brewed schooners and food specials.
Time: From 10am.
Contact: 39-43 Argyle St, The Rocks; endeavourtaprooms.com.au
GREAT PLACES TO SPEND THE DAY
Watson’s
Details: After the Anzac Day March, head over bacon & egg rolls and a sausage sizzle with classic Aussie bangers throughout the day. Stop in for a snag and beer before venturing off to the NRL Anzac Day match at Allianz Stadium, otherwise just linger a bit and catch the match on the big screens.
Two-up: From midday.
Time: From 10am till late.
Contact: The Entertainment Quarter, 1 Bent Street, Moore Park; watsonseq.com.au
The Glebe Hotel
Details: There’ll be plenty of Anzac spirit at this dog-friendly local pub with two-up from 1pm, live music from 3pm till late, freshly-baked Anzac biscuits, and all-day meal specials.
Time: From 12pm till late.
Contact: 63 Bay St, Glebe; theglebehotel.com.au
Hunters Hill Hotel
Details: After Dawn Service, head to Hunters Hill Hotel for their Anzac Day food and drink specials including bangers & mash with gravy ($25). ThereÕll also be two-up from 12pm in the beer garden and live music from Dave Agius from 3pm.
Time: From 10am till late. (Bookings suggested).
Contact: 68 Gladesville Rd, Hunters Hill; huntershillhotel.com.au
BONDI
There is no greater example of the immense sacrifice made by those Australians who fought for our freedom — and the amazing privileges we are afforded today — than to attend the annual dawn service at Bondi Beach.
The service starts at 6am in front of the North Bondi RSL. Take time to reflect before returning to the club for breakfast from 9am, followed by two-up from noon.
Or make the most of the morning and go for a surf or swim, then head up the steps to North Bondi Fish. From 11.30am, there’ll be a special lunch and dinner menu, plus music and DJs throughout the day.
You could also head up the hill a bit further to Bondi Golf & Diggers Club, or down the road to one of the many cafes and restaurants along Bondi Beach’s main drag.
THE LONDON
Balmain’s oldest neighbourhood pub will be trying something new this Anzac Day.
“This will be the first time that we’ll have two-up,” says general manager Cooper Searle.
Well, maybe the first time in recent history, seeing as the London, which began operating in 1870 as a watering hole for the predominantly working-class residents of Balmain, probably had a game or two going on post-WWI, when two-up was introduced.
After a relatively recent refurb, the London is now more of a family (and dog) friendly destination for elevated pub food, an impressive range of tap beers, live music, and two-up from 12.30-ish to 5pm.
There’ll also be live music from 5pm-8pm.
234 DARLING ST, BALMAIN, 2041; THELONDONHOTEL.COM.AU
ANZAC BISCUITS
They earned their name during World War I when women’s organisations and everyday people would include these long-lasting sweets in wartime care packages.
While the original biscuits didn’t necessarily have rolled oats, they were made with golden syrup — not eggs — to ensure they’d stay fresh.
Today, they can only use the Anzac moniker if they’re referred to as “biscuits” and not “cookies”.
True story.
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