It hosts regular gigs and trivia on Tuesdays, and it's got a good mix of craft brews and classic cold ones. While tourists may flock here for lunch in the summer months, it's really a locals' pub year-round. It's got charm aplenty thanks to its towering palm trees, retro paint job, and expansive outdoor area that's perfect for soaking up that fresh country air.
This Northern Rivers watering hole looks like it belongs on a postcard. Jump in the car, here are the best country pubs in NSW to visit. They’re all about supporting local producers, brewers, and musical talent plus, they never fail to reel in a crowd that serves up some solid bants. It’s because they ooze that all-Aussie no-frills air you simply can’t dig up anywhere else. The rules are, if it’s got VB on tap, a gravy-loaded schnitty worth your weekly calorie intake, or a cosy fireplace-we rate it.Ĭountry pubs are the bee’s knees and it’s not just because they know a thing or two about plating up wholesome feeds. All shows are free, too, so there's no excuse to not catch Lucky Luke and his Shooting Stars on Sunday, September 14.Alright, NSW’s best country pubs. Having upgraded their PA, the Union now hosts more than acoustic acts with a bluegrass and country slant on Sunday afternoons. This old-school pub has experienced a cultural rejuvenation over the last few years, becoming one of the premier stops on the craft-beer tours in town, and being a reliable spot to head to on Thursdays (and Sundays) for original live music. In September, the venue joins the list of spaces hosting Sydney Fringe Festival shows – catch musical cabaret show Andrew Vanderboom from Friday, September 12.ĥ76 King Street, Newtown, The BYO, intimate venue is predominantly acoustic but has allowed for a huge range of singer-songwriters to show their wares. Three years since first opening its easy-to-miss doors, this small arts space – and former newsagency – is still going strong. One of the big shows coming up is Chicago punks Dwarves, who hit the stage on Saturday, October 18.ģ75 Enmore Road, Marrickville, /the-newsagency Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks in this town. It's one of the oldest pubs in Sydney, and on one of the most hectic arterial roads in the city, but the Bald Faced Stag has reinvented itself as the go-to non-traditional home of local and international hardcore, punk, metal and all points between. Head down on Thursday, September 18 for Melbourne's great Mesa Cosa and Chicks who Love Guns – all free.ģ45 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt,
LIVE MUSIC PUB SYDNEY WINDOWS
With two large rooms, a good-time vibe and no windows hinting at reality outside, it's also one of the few places in the city you can party till 3am on a Monday morning (1.30am lockout applies). With rock, blues and punk dominating the schedule, bands play Thursdays and Sundays. More than just a CBD basement pizza den, where you can pay by the slice and sip frozen margaritas, Frankies has amped up its commitment to live music this year. Get a feel for it when voodoo-blues outfit the Double Shadows play on Friday, September 19. A predominantly jazz roster – there are a few indie-rock gigs slipped into the mix – and a 3am licence on Friday and Saturday nights make it one of the rare late-night haunts on the ever-changing Marrickville social landscape. With its plush velvet decor, opulent chandeliers and abundance of Victorian lounges, this warehouse-style space feels more lavish supper club than live jazz and blues venue. Level 2, 294 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, With great prices for international and local acts, get in early for Melbourne pop-slackers Dick Diver on Sunday, September 14 – it's only $12. Punters are right up against the low stage – which means the energy is palpable.
It all provides the kind of up-close-and-personal live music experience lost on many spaces. The refurbished band room upstairs features a much more accessible space, a big corner stage and wonderful sound. It was a long time in the making, but after the iconic Sandringham Hotel, known to all as 'the Sando', closed down in 2012, it took the Melbourne team behind Northcote Social Club and the Corner Hotel to bring live music back to the south end of King Street. A good bet: The Midnight Special in Enmore.