More than a pub

Whether you want a change of scene or a depth charge of cheer with your beer, Time Out is happy to serve up these watering holes that are more than just pubs.

The Annandale Hotel 

Every week, the main Annandale bar is transformed into a den of ghouls, blood and zombies when hosts Jay Katz and Miss Death present Cult Sinema Monday. This long-running weekly movie session of rare offbeat 16mm films with obscure flicks like Food of the Gods, (the 1976 Golden Turkey Awarded film for Worst Rodent Movie of All Time). And on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, you can perfect your ping pong game against the backdrop of free live music.
Cult Sinema Monday, Annandale. Entry by gold coin donation.

The Arthouse Hotel 

Fancy yourself as an artist and in need of a model? Fittingly, it’s the Arthouse Hotel which hosts free life drawing classes every Monday night, while every second Tuesday, Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School brings burlesque and art together, with cabaret models as muse.
Sydney. Monday, The Dome Restaurant. 6.30pm–8.30pm; Free; (18+); Dr Sketchy’s: Tuesday, Attic Bar. From 6.30pm; $17 (on door); $18 (online). Cellar Door: 12pm–1pm & 6pm–7pm Wed & Thurs.

Bar Broadway 

Wednesday is play day from 4pm–6pm, buy cheap drinks, play $1 pool, test your DJing skills in a 20 minute iPod slot and you’ll go into the draw to win a $50 bar tab. Once you’ve warmed up the crowd, stick around for dance lessons with Swing Patrol.Playroom:
Sydney. Wed, 4pm–6pm. Swing Patrol (www.syd.swingpatrol.com.au) Wed 6.30pm–7.30pm Beginners level 1 class; 7.30pm–8.30pm Beginners level 2 class. $14. 

Friend in Hand 

This Glebe favourite is stuffed to the gunwales with bric-a-brac and colourful locals (say g’day to Josephine the sulphur crested cockatoo for us, won’t you?) The pub also has on offer daily activities as eclectic as its décor: Mondays at 6.30pm, life-drawing; Wednesdays at 7.30pm, crab racing; Thursdays at 7.30pm, comedy; and on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm, there are poetry readings. And should you ever feel like playing darts, the Friend in Hand will even provide the board and score chalk, all you have to do is BYO darts.
Glebe.

Cricketers Arms Hotel 

A jewel in Sydney’s pub crown, and with Scrabble, Connect–4 and chess among the games on offer, there’s no excuse not to while away hours at the pub. And with iPod wars back on the first Saturday of every month, this pub will truly become your home away from home. Every iPod that plays a 20 minute set earns their owner fruit punch.
Surry Hills. (02 9331 3301 www.myspace.com/podwar) Mon–Sat 2pm–12am; Sun 2pm–10pm.

The Oatley Hotel 

On the first Monday of every month, they host an open mic night, calling soloists, poets, bands and anyone else to get up and show off their talents. Spend Tuesday nights playing poker or belly laugh every Wednesday at the Oatley Comedy Night. The brainy set should head along for Thursday night trivia; while more laidback readers can indulge in some noon-time jazz on Sundays.
Oatley.

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.
Balmain. Swing Patrol: Beginners level 1 class 6.30pm–7.30pm; Beginners level 2 class 7.45pm–8.45pm. $14. Trivia from 8pm. Karaoke from 9.30pm. Pool comp from 8pm.

Fringe Bar

Do your shopping and relax with a bevo at the same time. Every Saturday, Paddington’s Fringe Bar hosts an eclectic market of local and up–and–coming designers and a mix bag of wares.
Paddington

Will and Toby’s 

Beyond the cabaret and live music, Will and Toby’s host classes and seminars to help Sydney get hitched, pick up and understand the opposite sex – everything from dating workshops to giving women the ‘key’ to unleash the goddess within. Let their love gurus guide you through the rocky terrain of love.
Darlinghurst. See www.gethitched.net.au

The Lord Dudley 

If it’s raining and you have that autumn feeling, head to the quintessential English-style pub
to settle in for the afternoon; bring your own cards or peg away at a game of darts.
Woollahra