Guide to (some) of Sydney’s best beer gardens
After spending so long locked up inside in the past year, the desire to enjoy a schooner or two outside is greater than ever so check out our list of some of the best beer gardens in Sydney.
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There is something timelessly appealing about a good beer garden. Drinks are pouring, conversation is flowing and the sun is shining as you take a look around your surroundings and can’t help but think to yourself ‘how’s the serenity?’
And after spending so long locked up inside over the past year, the desire to enjoy an antipasto board and a schooner or two outside is greater than ever.
So we have complied this list of some of the best outdoor destinations in Sydney for your drinking and dining pleasure.
THE COURTHOUSE
The Courthouse, aka “the Courty” is both a beloved local and Sunday session destination, and it could be considered an unspoken rule that one should pay a visit here when enjoying a day or night out in Newtown.
Its large tiled terrace has a unique, enjoyable atmosphere and is almost always busy so nabbing a table or even a chair can be a challenge. And while the Courty may not have water views or fairy-lit oak trees, its walls are adorned with rotating art displays by emerging local artists so there is always something colourful to look at and enjoy.
There’s no such thing as a typical punter here, the beer garden is a melting pot of uni students, locals, suits, tradies and musicians allowing for some quality people watching.
Dogs are allowed and encouraged and the pub grub is unpretentious but wholesome and generously portioned.
Where: 202 Australia Street, Newtown
THE GLEBE HOTEL
This heritage-listed public bar boasts a picture-perfect leafy courtyard which is bathed in natural light and at night time is lit up with fairy lights.
Also at the Glebe Hotel you will find a very chic cocktail bar named Nude, specialising in bespoke cocktails as well as gastro bar dining and a public bar with live sports.
Where: 63 Bay St, Glebe
PUBLIC HOUSE, PETERSHAM
Here you will find a sun-drenched beer garden with a wood-fired pizza oven and resident pub cat Gizmo.
It’s the perfect place for long lunches with its Italian-inspired menu and bar serving up natural wines with sixteen different beers on tap.
Where: 292 Stanmore Road, Petersham
BEACH CLUB AT WATSONS BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Voted Sydney’s most Instagram-able venue, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel sits right on the water and looks like a place straight out of the Hamptons.
Called the Beach Club, this beer garden was inspired by yacht clubs and European holiday vibes and is one of those places in Sydney where people go purely to be seen.
Understandably it’s very popular with visitors all over so bookings are subject to a 2 hour sitting time.
Where: 1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay. Can be accessed via a ferry from Circular Quay.
THE OAKS, NEUTRAL BAY
Established in 1885, this North Shore institution might be the most aesthetic beer garden in Sydney (sorry Watsons Bay).
It takes its name from the enormous oak tree which sits at the centre of the leafy outdoor patio, providing dappled shade during the day and at night time lights up thanks to the fairy light it’s adorned with.
For those balmy summer nights, The Oaks beer garden is an unbeatable atmosphere, food is upscale pub grub ordered from the bistro inside.
Where: 118 Military Road, Neutral Bay
THE ORCHARD HOTEL, CHATSWOOD
Another North Shore iconic watering hole, beloved by loyal locals and visitors alike.
The Orchy has undergone a revamp in recent years and the results are superb, making it a well-rounded great pub but it’s their outdoor terrace that is the jewel of the crown.
Located up two flights of stairs, the Orchard’s beer garden sits on a balcony in the heart of Chatswood’s central business district and overlooks the station and towering office buildings.
It’s an after-work drinks destination with those who have just knocked off and are making a beeline for the bar (happy hour is from 5-7pm). Despite it’s popularity and frequent busy periods, the area is spacious enough with tables spread evenly allowing for a vibrant atmosphere without feeling like you’re sitting on top of one another.
There’s also projector screen for sports lovers and when the game is on the terrace certainly gets lively.
Where: 455 Victoria Avenue Chatswood
12 TAPS, GLEBE
Yet another beer garden located in Glebe, it’s beginning to look like Glebe is the beer garden capital of NSW.
If you’re a diehard craft beer fan then this is your church. As you may have guessed from the name, this venue has twelve taps of beer (one for every month of the year) which it claims is the largest selection of beer in Glebe, spread over two levels.
These guys take craft beer very seriously, so there’ll be no schooners of Resches here. Come for the beer, but stay for the backyard-style beer garden.
Where: 29 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
BACKYARD AT THE ALEX
Inspired by the classic Aussie backyard a lot of us would remember from our childhood, Backyard at the Alex is both family-friendly and dog-friendly — all that’s missing is a Hills Hoist and trampoline.
This inner-city outdoor beer garden was born thanks to a group of proactive locals campaigning against the demolition of the heritage-listed 150-year-old Alexandria Hotel, of which it sits out the back of.
The hotel was given a new lease on life when it was saved from the wrecking ball by Justin Hemmes, aka Mr Merivale who has resurrected this local gem.
The outdoor patio has long communal tables to really emphasise the sense of community and grandstand-style seating around a basketball court.
As well as having its own tasty menu, The Alex also regularly hosts food trucks such as Wholly Schnitt and Firepop.
Where: 35 Henderson Rd, Alexandria
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