Bars in Balmain & Rozelle

The Welcome
The Welcome has a huge range of beers both bottled and on tap (our favourite is the soupy, rich Old Speckled Hen). It's a great spot to settle in for a session of sweet, sweet beer drinking.

Ruby L'Otel
Ruby L's may not be a classic, comfy pub offering, but if you're embarking on a Rozelle pub crawl it's worth poking your head through the door - if only for the yum cha. Yes, we know it's been done before at the Annandale, butthat's because pub cha is such a good idea. Give us a plate of steamed prawn dumplings and some fried squid over a watery laksa any day. 

Sir William Wallace
The Willy Wally claims that former Sydney ratepayer Mel Gibson was a regular in here in his pre-fame days. The bar has a ramshackle charm, from the elaborate mural on the front bar's back wall hard up against a nest of poker machines, to the artworks that adorn the walls of the dining room whose kitchen hangs off the back like a lean-to. Staff are friendly and the atmosphere congenial and even though the beer might take your life, it'll never take your freedom.

The London Hotel
Once the drinking hole for the Sydney Push, a predominantly left-wing group of intellectuals including Germaine Greer and Clive James, the London is now largely a locals' haunt, serving up a hodge-podge of pub fare but hitting the mark with the extensive drinks list, including Magners Irish Cider, Newcastle Brown Ale and Stones Ginger Beer. The sought-after seats on the balcony, with striking views of the Harbour Bridge, are another draw.

Bald Rock Hotel
The Bald Rock was built in 1876 and is still in its original structure. The walls are Sydney sandstone, the ceiling is pressed tin and outside there's a big courtyard that looks straight over White Bay. It's an extremely pleasant place to lose an evening, we can tell you that much. The hotel boasts live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening as well as free sausage sizzles on Friday afternoons. There are far too few of these pubs left in Sydney, so it's a delight to see one keeping it real.

Exchange Hotel
The Exchange is the biggest pub in Balmain and has been since 1885. There's Toss the Boss on Wednesday evenings but our favourite feature is the Bloody Mary Lunch Club. If you're okay with eating brekky at the pub, order the big balcony breakfast with a Bloody Mary on the side – the perfect way to kick off a good pub crawl.

The Riverview
The Riverview has had a recent refit and while the bar is filled with the blonde and fabulous, there are also quite a lot of grizzled old blokes staking a claim at the bar, so it's not all bad. The room is nicely decked out – a fairly sympathetic refurb includes bright red bentwood chairs, mod-light fittings and plenty of dark wood panelling. The wine list, put together by hospitality legend David Myers, is progressive, with plenty on there for all price points if you're not interested in sinking schooners.

3 Weeds
The 3 Weeds is an old bloodhouse that saw more than its fair share of tooth-loosening fights in its day and housed every tough-talking Aussie band who dared to set foot in there (Rose Tattoo have played, and probably also fought, here). These days the 'Weeds, thanks to a thorough refurb, holds not only one of the nicest restaurants in the area but also has several bars catering to different audiences.

Unity Hall Hotel
Take advantage of the free pool on Mondays at the Unity Hall, and trivia and then bad karaoke (is there any other kind?) on Thursday nights in their upstairs Attic Bar. Swing Patrol whisk willing pub-goers into swing dance moves on Wednesday nights.

Dicks Hotel
Born in 1874, Dick's is the best sports bar in the suburb. It has its feet firmly rooted in tradition, where locals are known by name. Trivia is on a Monday and happy hour (Mon–Fri 4pm-6pm) reigns supreme.
 

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