The London Hotel

Once you step safely over the pile of snoozing canines lazing in the doorway, this old Balmain favourite offers up some real delights. For one, it's steeped in authentic Aussie beer culture history, having once been owned and run by the Cooper family, who left their mark in its stunning dark woodwork and scattered Australiana. Secondly, you won't find many out-of-towners in the London – the hotel is nicely tucked away from all the mid-town action of Darling Street, meaning there's little danger of a dazed Adriano Zumbo customer stumbling in seeking post-macaron refreshment. Once inside, you'll want to take a seat on the balcony, which offers a great view of the Harbour Bridge, and head straight to the bar for a schooner of Monteith's Pilsner, Magner's Irish Cider or ginger beer. The restaurant out the back serves up a steakhouse-style menu, but if you're after something more relaxed the standard pub fare of salads and burgers will set you right (the London Burger is particularly delish). A day at the London is the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon.