The Sandringham Hotel

Unlike some of its gentrified north King Street brethren, the Sandringham is best described as ‘down at heel’. That's not to cast aspersions on the Sando. Its shabbiness is the mark of its authenticity: live rock can be a rough houseguest. A constant presence on the Sydney music scene, the Sando has been the jumping-off point for countless local bands. Most of the performances occur upstairs, in a small-but-functional room with good sound and enough space for a crowd. Downstairs has a small bistro with a modest selection all for under $10, a sunny courtyard out past the pool tables and pinball machines, and a main bar, which also hosts bands in the afternoons for no cover. Drinks are cheap and the range is pedestrian, although they do have their own name on the taps in the form of Sando Ale. With the dwindling number of live local music venues in Sydney, the unpretentious Sandringham is more important than ever.