Australian Hotel, Sydney

The Australian Hotel has been part of The Rocks’ daily rhythm since 1824, making it one of Sydney’s oldest pubs still pouring drinks. The building you see today dates from 1914, rebuilt in the Federation Free Style and shaped to fit the bend where Gloucester and Cumberland Streets meet. Its wedge-like form gives it a street-smart profile, while brick walls, sandstone details, arched windows, decorative tiling, and timber accents mark it clearly as a product of early 20th-century pub design.

Once inside, the atmosphere turns comfortably old-fashioned. Timber bars stretch along the room, pressed-metal ceilings catch the light, and period fittings give the space a solid, no-nonsense feel. Photographs and memorabilia line the walls, telling stories of dockworkers, sailors, and the everyday life of The Rocks when the harbour set the tempo. It’s lively rather than hushed, a place built to be used, not admired from a distance.

The Australian Hotel has also kept pace with modern tastes. It’s known for championing Australian craft beer, with a rotating line-up of local brews on tap. The kitchen leans into classic pub fare, with a distinctly Australian twist—think pizzas topped with kangaroo or crocodile alongside more familiar options. Tastings, live music, and casual gatherings keep the place firmly rooted in Sydney’s contemporary social scene.

Taken as a whole, the Australian Hotel offers more than a meal or a drink. Its architecture, interiors, and atmosphere capture the layered character of The Rocks itself, where working-harbour history and modern city life overlap. Spending a little time here is an easy way to sense how Sydney’s past continues to show up in the present—one pint at a time...