While you can’t beat watching the big game live at the stadium, if you can’t get a ticket to see it at the ground on match day, the next best thing is to head to a sports bar with your mates.
Luckily in Sydney, sports fans are blessed with many different venues that show every kind of sport you can think of on their big screens, at any time of the night and day.
So whether you want to watch the EPL at 2 am, the NFL at 11.30 am or the NRL at 7.30 pm, there is somewhere for you to go.
Next time you find yourself watching to keep up to date with all the action, here are 15 of the best sports bars in Sydney we recommend you head to.
Newmarket Hotel
Located very close to Sydney airport in Mascot, the Newmarket Hotel is an excellent place to pop in for a quick bite to eat and score check, immediately before or after your flight.
A lively corner pub, it is known for its steaks, pizzas and share plates, as well as its fabulous beer garden.
In terms of sport, everything from Thai Kickboxing to Major League Baseball is shown on its big screens, and there are also TAB facilities for those who fancy placing a bet.
When you don’t fancy watching a game you can always have a go at ten-pin bowling in the attached Manhattan Superbowl alley that resides onsite.
Heads up! This place is a stronghold for Rabbitohs fans. If you do not support them, be sure to keep it to yourself.
Address: Cnr of Gardeners Road & Botany Road, Mascot NSW 2020
Phone: +61 2 9669 5591
Trading hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 3 am, Sun 10 am – 12 am
Courthouse Hotel
Having recently changed ownership for a cool $22 million the Courthouse Hotel remains a popular haunt to get your live televised sports hit.
Nestled in the heart of Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, there are two bars across two levels here. Both of them have big screens. You will also find Keno, full TAB facilities and two EBTs as well.
Just a 5-minute drive from the Sydney CBD, this friendly pub is a great venue to hang out with mates even if you have no interest in sports. The food here is very good and both the wine list and range of tap beers available are excellent too.
Address: 189 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 9360 4831
East Village
East Village is another fabulous Darlinghurst venue for sports lovers.
Set across three levels, this buzzy pub features a homely sports bar and a fantastic roof terrace.
Called the East Village Athletic Club, it is furnished with timber detailing and very comfortable leather suits. Providing a deluxe sports watching experience, this area even has poker tables too if you are feeling lucky.
The food menu here presents classic bar meals, while there are also resident DJs which play banging tunes you can dance the night away too, once the game has finished.
Address: 234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: +61 431 622 944
Trading hours: Sun – Fri 11 am-12 am, Sat 11 am – 10 pm
Dick’s Hotel
Over in Balmain, Dick’s Hotel is a great place to head to for the big game.
A relaxed and laidback establishment that always shows sport, the venue is known for its terrific range of organic craft beer and hearty, comfort food. The daily specials of which are, well, quite special!
Whenever a game is on there is always a really good atmosphere. But if you are not a sports fan, or after the match has finished, you can hang out in the plant-filled beer garden.
Address: 89 Beattie Street, Balmain NSW 2041
Phone: +61 2 9818 2828
Trading hours: Mon – Sun 11 am – 12 am
Beach Road Hotel
Looking for somewhere to watch the game in Bondi? Then head to the Beach Road Hotel.
Conveniently located on Beach Road, this fabulous sports bar shouldn’t be too hard to find.
As well to loads of big screen TVs, the venue offers fantastic views of the coast, and a very good food menu of classic pub grub served in two restaurants.
Just a 5-minute stroll from Bondi Beach, The Beach Road Hotel also has a cocktail bar, saloon bar, band room that hosts DJs and live performances and a lovely beer garden.
Address: 71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Phone: 02 9130 7247
Trading hours: Mon – Tue 11 am – 11 pm, Wed – Fri 11 am – 1 am, Sat 10 am-1 am, Sun 10 am – 10 pm
The Star Casino
Although the Star Casino is very well known for being the second largest casino in Australia, it is also a fantastic place to watch live sports.
With 50 massive LCD TVs, their 24/7 Sports Bar showcases everything from NFL, horse racing and boxing to the English Premier Leagues, golf and AFL. So irrespective of what you are into, there will be a screen somewhere showing it.
This fantastic sports bar also has a TAB and dishes up hearty pub classics, while the wider complex has a bar, two gaming floors and three restaurants.
Address: Level 1, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Phone: +61 2 9777 9000
Trading hours: Open 24 hours
Churchills Sports Bar
Touting itself as the ‘professional punters paradise’, the Churchills Sports Bar is another great place to hang out before catching a flight at nearby Sydney airport.
Boasting a plethora of big screens, this venue broadcasts all sports including V8, baseball, cricket, NBA and A-League.
They also have keno, poker, TAB, Trackside and 7 betting stations too, as well as pool tables to play on.
Their bistro menu is massive, with the burgers, steaks and fries being particular highlights. While their range of imported and local beers is very impressive too.
For a good bit of fun be sure to check out their trivia nights as well.
Address: 532 Anzac Parade, Kingsford NSW 2032
Phone: +61 2 9663 3648
Trading hours: Mon – Sat 7 am – 6 am, Sun 7 am – 12 am
Cricketers Arms Hotel
Whether it’s the Swans, Sixers or Sydney FC, one of the best pub atmospheres for live sport can be found at the Cricketers Arms Hotel.
Located in Surry Hills, less than 5-minutes to the SCG, this rustic venue can get a bit boisterous and rowdy at times. But that’s a manifestation of the passion that sport brings out.
When the sport isn’t on there is a lovely beer garden to enjoy, where you can enjoy one of their simple pub meals at.
In the evening live DJ sets, well and truly get the party started.
Address: 106 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 9331 3301
Trading hours: Mon – Wed 3 pm -12 am, Thu – Fri 12 pm – 12 am, Sat 2 pm-12 am, Sun 2 pm – 10 pm
Cheers Bar
Nestled in the heart of the CBD on George Street, adjacent to the town hall, the Cheers Bar is another excellent sports bar that is open 24/7.
Always showing lots of different sports at the same time on their 26 big screens, this bar and bistro has a really good vibe.
Open from 9 am until 6 am, seven days a week, the venue is the official home of the Liverpool Football Supporters Club of NSW.
The sports section is located upstairs, whilst downstairs is a vintage, NYC-style speakeasy space where they serve the meals, and which transforms into a nightclub at weekends.
Address: 561 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9261 8313
Trading hours: 9 am to 6 am, 7 days a week
Harlequinn Inn
Over in Pyrmont, The Harlequinn Inn is the place to go if you love rugby union.
Whether it be international, sevens or club games, the Harley, as it is affectionately referred to by locals, always shows multiple games congruently on its 26 screens.
When a really big game is on, they even break out two giant projectors as well.
The atmosphere is always good here, and with 19 beers on tap and a good menu of classic pub eats, you really can’t go wrong.
Address: 152 Harris Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Phone: +61 2 9660 8146
Trading hours: Mon-Sat 10 am – 12 am, Sun 11 am – 10 pm
The Light Brigade
Established almost 125 years ago, The Light Brigade is an institution in Woollahra Paddington
A historic 4-floor venue, built in an Art Deco style, it features a fabulous bistro, lounge, rooftop terrace and leafy surroundings.
However, it is arguably best known for its sports bar, which shows many different sports across its premises on various big screens. One of which is a monster 103-inch plasma TV!
Address: Corner of Oxford St & Jersey Rd, Woollahra NSW 2025
Phone: +61 2 9357 0888
Trading hours: Mon – Thu 10 am – 12 am, Fri-Sat 10 am – 1 am, Sun 10 am – 10 pm
York 75
Really want to immerse yourself in sport? Then York 75 is the place to go.
Their 3D screens provide a very exciting dimension to watching the big game. However, if you would prefer, there are twenty big screens you can watch it on instead. As well as a private booth replete with personal LED screens.
When watching the game you can partake in sports betting, which they have in-house, as well as a TAB. Whilst the venue also has a very good food and drink selection.
Address: 2/75 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9114 7319
Trading hours: Mon – Tue 12 pm – 9 pm, Wed 12 pm – 10 pm, Thu – Fri 12 pm – 12 am, Sat 12 pm – 8 pm
Woollahra Hotel
Boasting a heritage that dates back to the 1930s, the Woollahra Hotel is a hip and contemporary pub on Queen Street.
Boasting a lovely rooftop terrace bar, and a fabulous French bistro, sport is a staple diet on the big screens TV here.
You’ll be able to watch everything from AFL to yachting. and enjoy an excellent range of beers and pub fare while you are at it.
Address: 116 Queen Street, Woollahra NSW 2025
Phone: +61 2 9327 9777
Trading hours: Mon – Tue 4 pm – 12 am, Wed-Sat 11 am-12 am, Sun 11 am – 10 pm
Royal Oak Hotel
For over 150 years the Royal Oak Hotel has been sating the thirst and hunger of Double Bay locals with an excellent range of pub food and drinks.
Over the last couple of decades, it has become well known as the go-to spot to catch live bands and hip DJs. As well as watching lots of live sports on its many big screen TVs.
A very popular venue, it can get quite busy at night, but this only creates a more congenial ambience.
Address: 28 Bay Street, Double Bay NSW 2028
Phone: +61 2 9363 3935
Trading hours: Mon – Thu 10 am-12 am, Fri – Sat 10 am – 1 am, Sun 10 am – 11 pm
The Park House Front Yard
Just because you live on the Northern Beaches doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a decent sports bar venue.
Located in Mona Vale, The Park House Front Yard has you well and truly covered with a mega screen that shows all the best sporting actions.
It has also got 40 craft beers on tap and a charming beer garden, as well as live bands on a Saturday night.
Address: 2 Park Street, Mona Vale NSW 2103
Phone: (02) 8998 3000