It’s certainly been a tough year or so for many, and with plenty of Sydney-siders practising their own voluntary lockdown in recent weeks and not keen on dining inside surrounded by other people, Inner West beer gardens have become the meeting point for many.
Even those who wouldn’t normally be the “pub type” have been enticed to a beer garden as a great place to catch up with friends and family over a meal and drinks.
The beer gardens of the Inner West are more than just your typical pub; they are a cultural hub, where people come together, to grab a beer and meet new people. They are a drawcard for British ex-pats, with many of the local beer gardens reminiscent of home. Let’s explore some of the top pubs with beer gardens in the Inner West.
The Balmain
74 Mullens Street, Balmain
The Balmain Hotel, Balmain’s second-oldest pub, dates back to 1869. With its Southern-US- Asian-fusion menu, you’ll find yourself enjoying buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese sauce and a fresh salmon poke bowl, while sipping on a Rockstar Martini or a cold beer in the greenery-enshrouded beer garden.
The London
234 Darling Street, Balmain
The recently renovated London Hotel doesn’t have a ‘beer garden’ as such. However, it more than compensates for this with tables and chairs outside this historic pub. Indulge in their fine food and beverage offerings while watching the world go by.
The Bald Rock
15 Mansfield Street, Rozelle 2039
The historic Bald Rock, famous for being the oldest continually licensed pub on the Balmain Peninsula and noted for its weekend live music scene on Sunday afternoons, is a firm favourite with locals. The beer garden is compact but cosy and your dogs are welcome. What more could you ask for?
DiCK’s Hotel Balmain
89 Beattie Street, Balmain
DiCK’s is all about the casual vibe. This community-focused venue is dog-friendly with a relaxing organic beer garden and rustic comforting food. This is the place to go to catch up with old mates, or for a Sunday vino and lunch with the girls.
The Welcome Hotel
91 Evans Street, Rozelle
There’s something about the Welcome Hotel that makes you feel instantly at home. The old-school leafy outdoor beer garden, the seasonal meals, and the extensive local craft beer list offers plenty to please everyone. Located on a quiet street in Rozelle, this is the historic pub everyone wants as their local. And if you’re around on Wednesday nights, kick back to some jazz.
Sauce Brewing Co
1 Mitchell Street, Marrickville
If you love trying something new, Sauce Brewing Co might just be your next beer garden stop. An independent micro-brewery in Marrickville, Source has a range of craft beers that you can enjoy in the beer garden under cover. Enjoy a lazy afternoon in the sun, food from the food truck of the week and a few beers with mates.
Gasoline Pony
115 Marrickville Road, Marrickville
If live music, good food and drinks with mates are your gig, make Gasoline Pony your local. A favourite musicians hangout, this cool bar, to be fair, has more of a tidy courtyard than what you’d expect from a beer garden. Live music throughout the week makes this a muso’s or music-lover’s favourite venue to enjoy a range of tasty bar food and local craft beers.
The Erko
102 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
Both family- and dog-friendly, the Erko beer garden is more like catching up with mates in the backyard. With a great range of food to suit all, and a nice little drinks list (why not try the Erko margarita?), there’s always something happening at The Erko to keep you entertained.
The Merton Hotel
38 Victoria Road, Rozelle
If views are as important as the venue, The Merton, built in 1878 and renovated since, is a great place to find them. Sit at the bar and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and city skyline or relax in the beer garden with live music on a weekend. The Irish-owned and -run pub offers some great food including traditional pub fare and a range of curries.
Public House Petersham
292 Stanmore Road, Petersham
When we talk about Inner West beer gardens, we can’t forget Public House Petersham. From the sunny beer garden, you can watch the head chef cook up an array of wood-fired pizzas right from your seat. Seasonal menus and craft beers add to the cool factor. Public House also has a natural wine menu ‒ a list of lo-fi, minimal intervention, hands-off wine-making style wines including Chateau Lulu Skin Contact Orange and Dream Big Pet Nat.
Summer might be coming to a close (and many might ask just where it’s been this year), but that doesn’t mean you can get out and enjoy spending time in the coolest beer gardens on offer.
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