The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Rocks
The Australian Heritage Hotel celebrates Australia Day all weekend long. Friday kicks-off the commemorations with live music, snags on the barbie and 100 different Australian brews. On Saturday, revel in the summer sun at The Aussie’s 4 Pines Beer garden party while counting down Triple J’s Hottest 100 followed by live music by The Beans. Sunday is for sipping on Bloody Mary’s from the pub’s pop-up bar and feasting on kangaroo pizzas with tunes by Charlie Heart.
Opening hours: Friday – 11am-12am; Saturday – 11am-12am; Sunday – 11am-12am
Website: australianheritagehotel.com
Address: 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Phone: 02 9247 2229
Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly
In true Aussie style, indulge in cheese and vegemite pizzas and BBQ sausage sangas, and cheers with a cold one on the Manly Wharf Hotel jetty this Australia Day. Irish-Australian DJs, The Potbelleez hit the decks at 7pm with their electro-house beats. Local talents Alex Mac, Ben Morris and Murray Lake play alongside the duo keeping the party going until the early hours of the morning. The celebrations continue on Saturday with Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown and recovery Aperol Spritz for $10 in the summer sun.
Price for Potbellez event on Friday (begins at 3pm): first release – $15; second release – $20. Purchase via moshtix.com.au
Opening hours: Friday – 11:30am-12am; Saturday – 11am-1am; Sunday – 11am-12am
Website: manlywharfhotel.com.au
Address: Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly
Phone: 02 9977 1266
The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks
The Glenmore Hotel celebrates Australia Day with a backyard-themed party on the rooftop overlooking Sydney harbour. Think turf, stubbie holders and snags on the barbie. Keep cool with brews from the tinnie bar – the perfect complement to classic pub grub. Continue the festivities on Saturday with Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown and sunset drinks at one of Sydney’s best rooftops.
Opening hours: Friday – 11am-1am; Saturday – 11am-1am; Sunday – 11am-12am
Website: theglenmore.com.au
Address: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Phone: 02 9247 4794
The Royal, Leichhardt
Leichhardt’s local favourite The Royal Hotel, creates the “ultimate” Aussie burger to celebrate Australia Day. Sink your teeth into the “Royale”: Aussie beef patty, cheese, bread and butter pickle, bacon, onions and secret sauce. Jazz it up with the addition of beetroot, avo or pineapple and pair it with a tap brew for $20. On Saturday, countdown to Triple J’s Hottest 100 in the main bar followed by a drink on The Royal’s balcony overlooking Norton Street.
Opening hours: Friday – 10am-5am; Saturday – 10am-12am; Sunday – 10am-12am
Website: theroyalleichhardt.com.au
Address: 156 Norton Street, Leichhardt
Phone: 02 9569 2638
The Tudor, Redfern
Redfern’s favourite watering hole, The Tudor is celebrating Australia Day with $5 ice-cold VB tinnies and Aussie beef sangas ($6) off the barbie from 12pm and music all day long – the ideal way to kick off the long weekend.
Opening hours: Friday – 10am-12am; Saturday – 10am-12am; Sunday – 10am-12am
Website: tudorhotel.com.au
Address: 90 Pitt Street, Redfern
Phone: 02 9310 4314
Seabreeze Beach Hotel, South West Rocks
Head up north to Seabreeze Beach Hotel this Australia Day long weekend. Be prepared to bring out your competitive side with crab racing, thong throwing and prawn peeling competitions. Feast on Aussie pub favourites such as a classic parmi or battered flathead with chips and tartare sauce. Keep the ball rolling on Saturday with Triple J’s Top 100 countdown and live music from Liam Moylan from 4pm to 7pm.
Opening hours: Friday – 9am-12am; Saturday – 9am-12am; Sunday – 10am-12am
Website: seabreezebeachhotel.com.au
Address: Cnr Livingstone Street & Prince of Wales Avenue, South West Rocks
Phone: 02 6566 6205
Toormina Hotel, Toormina
Celebrate Australia Day at the newly renovated local, Toormina Hotel. Test your prawn peeling talents in the 2nd annual prawn peeling competition and see how far you can fling your thong in an Aussie thong throwing contest. Live music plays all day and snacks from Toormina Hotel’s new bistro Toormina Palms, will be at the ready. Get in early to score an outdoor cabana in the courtyard.
Opening hours: Friday – 10am-12am; Saturday – 10am-12am; Sunday – 10am-10pm
Website: toorminahotel.com.au
Address: Lot 1, Minorca Place, Toormina
Phone: 02 6653 1039