The Best Pubs in Balmain for a Buzzing Bevvie
The best pubs in Balmain are filled with good vibes aplenty, reminding us nothing beats a cold brew and some sunshine.
No matter the time of year, beer gardens and the sunshine go hand in hand. And no other suburb in Sydney does it as well as Balmain in the Inner West.
This buzzing neighbourhood over-delivers when it comes to the pub scene, and with some of Sydney’s oldest and most intriguing pubs, why not spend an afternoon at one of these local haunts?
With sun-drenched courtyards, delicious pub grub, sandstone buildings, and vibes aplenty, here are the best pubs in Balmain to hit up on your next outing.
The Bald Rock Hotel
Known by locals as 'the little pub on the corner', The Bald Rock Hotel is the cosy pub just a stones throw from Balmain in neighbouring suburb Rozelle.
One of the oldest heritage pubs in the area, expect all the classics here including Happy Hour specials, nightly dinner deals, weekly community events, plenty of beer on tap and generous servings of welcoming hospitality you can only get in places like this.
15 Mansfield Street, Rozelle
The Balmain Hotel
One of the best pubs in Balmain is not surprisingly called The Balmain Hotel. Outside the Pasifika-themed beer garden is home to thatched roofed cabanas, macramé baskets, Astroturf and a whole lot of fun. Pull up a pew under the hanging coloured lights and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere.
This bright beer garden is great for a bubbly catch-up with friends and can also be hired out for functions. The kitchen serves up regular specials during the week and offers a wide range of share platters in addition to all your pub favourites with a gourmet twist.
74 Mullens Street, Balmain
Cat and Fiddle Hotel
The Cat and Fiddle Hotel is a Sydney institution that's known for its plush interiors, up-market clientele and well-stocked bar. This gastro-pub is more cocktails with the girls than beers with the boys, making it one of our fave picks for best pubs in Balmain.
Come for a tasty meal and soak up the elegant surroundings. Outside, you can grab a table positioned under hanging ferns, all lit by a ceiling of skylights and soak up the live music that filters through the pub's hallowed walls every weekend.
456 Darling Street, Balmain
Dick’s Hotel
Shaded and tranquil, Dick’s Hotel has a beer garden you can put your feet up in as you sip on some organic beer and tuck into rustic comfort food.
Perched on the corner of Montague and Beattie streets this classic pub is where you’ll find weekly trivia, cheap jugs and happy hours.
Perfect for breaking up a busy workweek, sit back on their wooden benches enjoy the scent of the herbs planted throughout the garden and dream about the weekend that’s only a few days away.
89 Beattie Street, Balmain
The London Hotel
A colonial-era building complete with sandstone walls, The London Hotel boasts beautiful harbour views from the verandah that make this one of the best pubs in Balmain for a tipple in the sunshine.
If you’re feeling peckish, take a look at the bar menu which is all about traditional pub grub, or step it up a notch with a fine dining experience in their modern Australian restaurant.
234 Darling Street, Balmain
East Villiage Hotel Balmain
Tucked away in East Balmain, the East Village Hotel is as welcoming as they get. With a great menu of fancy pub fare, lots for the kids to enjoy, and a beer garden with plenty of space to spread out, East Village is a relaxing haven for families (and their pups).
Their impeccable menu offers an elevated pub dining experience with bites like Nicoise salad and salt and pepper squid all served alongside pub classics like fish and chips and chicken parmy.
82 Darling Street, Balmain East
The Riverview Hotel
Affectionately called ‘The Riv’, the Riverview Hotel is an enduring Balmain institution with a reputation for its relaxed service and cosy ambiance complete with an open fireplace. It's also dog-friendly, which we love to see.
Tuck into fail-safe pub grub at the main bar, or enjoy the modern Australian menu upstairs at the Birchgrove Restaurant, which has an outside courtyard, heritage-listed windows filling the space with natural light, and gorgeous contemporary interior design.
29 Birchgrove Road, Balmain
Now you've finished exploring the best pubs in Balmain, why not check out their amazing foodie scene with our edit of the best restaurants in Balmain? Then, take a look at our deep dive into the best cafes in the Inner West.