Beer Garden Sydney
In essence, a beer garden is derived from the German term “Biergarten.” It is an open-air location where visitors may purchase beer and snacks. Most first-time visitors assume that beer gardens just provide unlimited beer. However, the assumption is not entirely valid. In other words, beer gardens provide quick snacks to complement your beer selection. Two of the most popular finger snacks are German sausages and salty pretzels. We hope that this information helps you find the best beer garden Sydney has to offer.
1. Welcome to Thornbury
| Key Services | Permanent Food Truck Park, Live Music, Outdoor Heating, Nightlife, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine |
| Website | https://welcometothornbury.com/ |
| Address | 520 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9020 7940 |
| info@welcometothornbury.com | |
| Operating Hours | 5PM – 10PM Wednesdays | 5PM – 11PM Thursdays | 5PM – 12AM Fridays | 12PM – 12AM Saturday | 12PM – 10PM Sundays |
Welcome to Thornbury is one of Australia’s largest beer garden, as well as the location of the city’s only permanent bar and food truck stop. Previously, the site housed a car manufacturing facility for the better part of the twentieth century. On any given day, there will be anywhere from five to seven food trucks there, and during the course of the month, there will be a total of eighty food trucks in the area. People can sit outside for up to 530 people at a time, and at least 700 people can be in the building at the same time. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Beer garden that is pet friendly
- the largest beer garden in Thornbury with a capacity of up to 530 people.
- They have an events space that can cater for up to 700 people
- Offers Beer, cider, and wine. As well as cocktails and spirits
Customer Testimonial:
“Awesome place with a great atmosphere! Food trucks, trivia, arcade area & a good selection of drinks! Staff were super friendly! Highly recommend! Strongly recommend the vegan food truck ‘Woking amazing’!”
Elliot Jackson
2. Wesley Anne
| Key Services | Vegetarian Friendly, Live Music, Available For Functions, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine |
| Website | https://wesleyanne.com.au/ |
| Address | 250 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9482 1333 |
| info@wesleyanne.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 11PM Mondays – Thursdays, Sundays | 12PM – 1AM Fridays – Saturdays |
The Wesley Anne should have everything you need. Well, at least if there’s a lush beer garden included. After you get used to the gothic furnishings, the bar offers a tranquil setting ideal for settling down with a drink. If you’re searching for a really one-of-a-kind night out, the fact that this pub is housed in a former church should be enough to sway your decision. If the setting isn’t appealing enough, the high quality of the food and wide selection of drinks certainly will be. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- One of the only Beer Gardens in Northcote
- Food is amazing and they have a huge variety of drinks
- They also have a large outdoor area
Customer Testimonial:
“Adorable bar inside what used to be a church. It’s all candle-lit inside and feels so cosy and intimate, you can definitely waste away hours in here, what they offer on tap and the menu is pretty decent. Definitely a regular go-to.”
Monica
3. Paradise Alley
| Key Services | Craft Beer, Full Bar Available, Nightlife, Indoor Seating, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine |
| Website | https://www.paradisealley.com.au/ |
| Address | 25 Easey St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9029 8484 |
| drink@paradisealley.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 4PM – 1AM Wednesdays – Fridays | 2PM – 1AM Saturdays | 2PM – 11PM Sundays |
Sleepless nights spent in Paradise Alley will be ones you never forget. One of the reasons people flock to this pub is because it works closely with other local companies to provide its clientele with food and drink. This is a major selling point for the university, drawing in a large pool of potential students. One of the restaurants on our list is well-known for its low operating costs, in part because it has an outside eating space and walls covered in graffiti art. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- They offer a range of local and international beers
- As well as ciders, wine, and cocktails
- Located in the heart of the city
Customer Testimonial:
“Very low key, amazing little gem of a joint. They have a very attractive happy hour, $5 drinks. It has a feel of an old jazz club, but minus the smoking. If you are in Collingwood pop in”
Perry Martin
4. Garden State Hotel
| Key Services | Four-level Pub, Cocktails, Fries, Drinks, Salad, Chips, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine |
| Website | https://gardenstatehotel.com.au/ |
| Address | 101 Flinders Ln, VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 8396 5777 |
| info.GardenStateHotel@ausvenueco.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 11PM Tuesdays – Thursdays, Sundays | 12PM – 3AM Fridays – Saturdays |
As a multi-story party palace, the Garden State Hotel can host over 800 guests. The hotel’s spacious, multi-level Beer Garden is its throbbing heart, with towering ficus trees and lush landscaping bringing the outside inside and creating an environment that will make you forget you’re so close to Flinders Lane. The public bar there is a popular gathering place for residents to unwind with friends over a few cold ones after work or on the weekend. Downstairs, in a more casual setting, the Rose Garden is a great spot for individuals who like drinks and conversation. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Can host over 800 guests
- The Beer Garden is its throbbing heart
- The public bar there is a popular gathering place for residents to unwind with friends over a few cold ones after work or on the weekend.
Customer Testimonial:
“Cannot recommend this place enough! Had my birthday there and the staff were incredibly helpful when trying to get a reservation. On the night all the workers/ bartenders were super lovely and friendly. Food and drinks were amazing and the overall vibes were very nice.”
Nadine Ibrahim
5. Whitehart
| Key Services | Serves Cocktails, Outdoor Heating, Laneway, Pet Friendly, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine |
| Website | https://www.whitehartbar.com.au/ |
| Address | 22 Whitehart Ln, VIC 3000, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9602 2260 |
| drink@whitehartbar.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 11PM Sundays – Wednesdays | 12PM – 12AM Thursdays| 12PM – 1AM Fridays – Saturdays |
White harts have long been considered the stuff of myth and folklore. For the ancient Celts, this was a sign of impending disaster. It was widely held among the French that to break the heart of a white person was to condemn them to a life of unrequited passion. The Scots saw it as a symbol of perfection, salvation, and good fortune. It’s a word for a social hub in Melbourne, Australia, where locals and visitors alike may enjoy live music, specialty drinks, boutique wines, original dishes, visual art displays, and street art. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Social hub in Melbourne, Australia
- Live music
- Specialty drinks
- Boutique wines
Customer Testimonial:
“Great hidden bar in Melbourne CBD, very cool. We went to the I ❤️ agave festival here and it was great! I love the containers and rustic construction. It’s indoors and outdoors all at the same time. Bamboo straws suck, but small thing. Def go back!”
Andrew Ford
6. Jimmy Watson’s
| Key Services | Modern Australian Cuisine, Full Bar Available, Gluten Free Options, Shared Plates, Vegetarian Friendly |
| Website | https://jimmywatsons.info/ |
| Address | 333 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9347 3985 |
| info@jimmywatsons.com | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 10PM Tuesdays – Thursdays | 12PM – 11PM Fridays – Saturdays | 12PM – 4PM Sundays |
Since Jimmy took over the wine bar in 1935, it has been a fixture in Melbourne’s social scene. The Australian Financial Review has made the point that Jimmy Watson’s is unquestionably one of Australia’s original tiny pubs and that it exemplifies Melbourne’s culture in many ways. The wine bar, also known as an institution, is a gathering place where people may try out ideas, strike agreements, have fun, choose sides, negotiate, assign tasks, and even alter the course of history while enjoying a glass of wine. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- One of Australia’s original tiny pubs
- Exemplifies Melbourne’s culture in many ways
- Gathering place where people may try out ideas, strike agreements, have fun, choose sides, negotiate, assign tasks, and even alter the course of history while enjoying a glass of wine.
Customer Testimonial:
“Great way to enjoy Lygon Street; time spent at Readings followed by the mandatory visit to Jimmy Watson’s for nibbles and wine. Mmmmm. This is the view from our outdoor table.”
Lynne Pryor
7. Windsor Castle
| Key Services | Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine, Craft Beer, Outdoor Seating, Fireplace |
| Website | http://www.windsorcastle.com.au/ |
| Address | level 1/89 Albert St, Windsor VIC 3181, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9525 0239 |
| bookings@windsorcastle.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 3PM – 11PM Mondays – Thursdays | 12PM – 1AM Fridays – Saturdays | 12PM – 11PM Sundays |
An expert team of event planners is available at Windsor Castle to ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch. They may choose from the restaurant, the beer garden, or the Windsor’s upper level. They provide private rooms where you can play your own tunes or have a DJ play for you. Simply get in touch with a member of staff to have a plan tailored to your needs and finances. One of Melbourne’s finest beer gardens, this lush, jungle-like oasis is perfect for social gatherings in the fresh air. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- An expert team of event planners is available
- Private rooms
- Lush, jungle-like oasis
- Perfect for social gatherings in the fresh air.
Customer Testimonial:
“Really nice old style pub with nice outside area. Staff were great”
Jackie Ross
8. The Retreat
| Key Services | Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine, Traditional Pub Feel, Pet Friendly Courtyard, Live Music |
| Website | https://retreathotelbrunswick.com.au/ |
| Address | 280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9380 4090 |
| info@retreathotelbrunswick.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 12PM – 1AM Mondays – Thursdays, Sundays | 12PM – 3AM Fridays – Saturdays |
The Amelia Shaw honors the first licensee of The Retreat Hotel in 1842 while fusing elements of American West Coast Deco, constructivism, and modern style. The live performances by local musicians are what bring people to the Retreat Hotel. It has a long history of notoriety and a reputation for presenting excellent performances. Beyond the dance floor is where you’ll find the world-famous beer garden. There’s astroturf on the floor, string lights on a big knobby tree, and lots of chairs, so it’s a great location to hang out with friends and listen to music. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Fuses elements of American West Coast Deco, constructivism, and modern style
- Live performances by local musicians
- World-famous beer garden
Customer Testimonial:
“Great pub. Great beer garden, and local music. A good selection of beers, and food. Spend a summer afternoon there. You won’t regret it. Keep an eye out for The Ivory Elephant (band)”
Troy Sterling
9. The Alderman
| Key Services | Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine, Art Deco Inspired, Fireplace, Expansive Courtyard, Beautiful Curved Central Bar |
| Website | |
| Address | 134 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9380 9003 |
| info@thealderman.com.au | |
| Operating Hours | 5PM – 11PM Tuesdays – Thursdays | 5PM – 1AM Fridays | 3PM – 1AM Saturdays |
The Alderman Brunswick East Bar is a local favorite because of its chic art deco furnishings and laid-back vibe. In this area, there are three separate gated communities. After a hard day, the Alderman Brunswick Bar is the perfect spot to unwind with good company. Fairy lights light up the Alderman’s large courtyard during the warmer months, but it is still a popular place to meet in the winter and spring. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Chic art deco furnishings
- Laid-back vibe
- Fairy lights light up the courtyard during the warmer months
Customer Testimonial:
“Beautiful little spot. A great place for a romantic date night or a chill get together with friends. The staff is very friendly and the drinks are tasty :)”
Nicole Schneider
10. Great Northern Hotel
| Key Services | Classic Pub, Sporting Memorabilia, Beer Garden, Live Sport, Cold Pints, Pub Food, Modern Australian Cuisine |
| Website | https://www.gnh.net.au/ |
| Address | 644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054, Australia |
| Phone | +61 3 9380 9569 |
| info@gnh.net.au | |
| Operating Hours | 11AM – 12AM Sundays – Wednesdays | 11AM – 1AM Thursdays – Saturdays |
Almost at the very end, you’ll find a place that’s well-known for its massive beer garden. The beer garden of The Great Northern is widely acknowledged as the largest in all of Melbourne, if not all of Australia. Please listen to our recommendations and visit this location. Many of the things on our list have been deemed “unusual,” but this one is exceptional. Since it opened in 1883, Melburnians of all ages have met at the Great Northern to celebrate their accomplishments and remember good times. This is why they are one of the top beer garden Sydney has to offer.
Key Differentiators:
- Massive beer garden
- Well-known for its size
- Opened in 1883
Customer Testimonial:
“Great Pub atmosphere. It’s worth checking what the weekly specials are as every time I’ve tried the specials they have been great! IPA braised lamb and the milky sponge cake were table favourites. Great flavour and reasonably priced! Well done Kitchen “
Grace Oakley
Beer Garden Sydney
Overall, everyone enjoys dining while taking in the gorgeous scenery. When visiting a beer garden, the surroundings are equally as essential as the food. Beer gardens provide both a beautiful outdoor location and a bustling social atmosphere. Though each beer garden strives to provide a similar experience, the overall mood may differ. We hope that this information helps you find the best beer garden Sydney has to offer.
If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can check out our other posts below: