A pub crawl through The Rocks
The best spots for boozing in the Rocks are all located just a hop, skip and jump from each other, so make a day of it and try to collect them all.
Restaurants, bars, shops and events in the Rocks
Tourist-friendly it remains, but the big news out of The Rocks is that it's no longer off-limits to locals. This historic part of Sydney and its famous cobblestones now cater to visitors of all tastes and ages. There are still high-class restaurants, historic pubs, curio shops selling Australiana, and rustic cafés galore, but now local artisans also sell their independent wares from pop-up shops, troubadours busk from corners and burlesque performers set up their red-light delights in the many alleyways and coves.
Community gatherings are also plentiful – The Rocks' Friday weekend markets are thriving, and street festivals devoted to music, coffee, beer, light installations and more activate throughout the year. It's now common for culture vultures hitting the nearby Opera House and Walsh Bay theatres to wet their whistles, fill their bellies and fuel their conversations in The Rocks before and after shows. And why not? With zillion dollar views across the Harbour, ferry, bus and train connections close by and surprises around every corner, The Rocks is rocking once more.
The best spots for boozing in the Rocks are all located just a hop, skip and jump from each other, so make a day of it and try to collect them all.
Perched on Circular Quay, the MCA is Sydney's year-round desination for new age and left-of-centre art. In addition to being open six days a week, the museum...
Discover new and emerging talent along the cobblestone laneways where stalls offer a full range of artisan and handmade products.
This terrace of four houses built by Irish immigrants in 1844 tells the stories of the working families who called this place and this neighbourhood...
Climb 200 steps, past three levels of exhibits celebrating the history of the bridge and its builders; the open-air views from the top are magnificent.
Every so often you visit a restaurant where everything just flows; moments pass by seamlessly, and you forget about the time, or how much you’ve eaten...
High-quality Australian ingredients abound on the contemporary Asian menu, with oysters from Merimbula, Mooloolaba swordfish, Queensland Moreton Bay bugs, and...
Fine dining no longer ascribes to the idea that indulgence requires being fed into a stupor, which is why you can safely opt for an elegant six courses at...
The Australian Heritage Hotel strikes a comfortable balance between historic tourist stop, and a pub that hard-bitten Sydneysiders still want to...
In an area more known for its beer swilling than cocktail drinking, Saké stands out. And it should – there’s some excitement to be found in...
Bay Nine Omakase is an intimate restaurant offering an omakase dining experience and a set menu. Diners can expect elegantly crafted bites...
The Rocks' Overseas Passenger Terminal houses a James Squire brewhouse in addition to its mix of bars, restaurant and cruise arrivals facilities.
The spacious dining room feels like the right amount of regal for this end of town, with its huge curved glass windows, brass lamps and blue velvet chairs.
Open for breakfast and your early morning caffeine fix, Chi Chi transforms later in the day into a buzzing bar and restaurant for a relaxed lunch and dinner.
Located within the Four Seasons Hotel Mode Kitchen and Bar is the luxe hotel's new dining spot. At the helm is head chef Francesco Mannelli, who's worked in...
The first impressions come hard and fast at the latest outing from the team behind Maybe Frank, tucked away on the fringe of the Rocks.
A lot of fuss gets made over the Glenmore’s unbelievable harbour views, taking in the majesty of the Harbour Bridge and hooking around past the Opera...
Just like its past life as an opium dealership, a boot-making studio, a doctor's surgery, and a boarding house, the Doss House plays host to a stylish suite...
If anywhere in the city called for a gin distillery, surely it's The Rocks, our colonial ground zero, where quite a lot of the juniper spirit would have been...
Daintree Sydney calls itself “a small bar with a big purpose”, adopting a holistic, sustainable model.
The Australian Heritage Hotel strikes a comfortable balance between historic tourist stop, and a pub that hard-bitten Sydneysiders still want to frequent....
Having a taste for fine Scotch, elegant Japanese whiskies and American drams doesn’t come cheap, unless you’re spending your Monday nights at Grain...
Fortune of War attracts old guys, regulars and folks who are after a no-nonsense pub with space to talk, rest those weary traveller feet and to quench that...
The pizza canteen dominates one side of the main room, with mismatched couches and comfy armchairs scattered opposite. Upstairs is all gloriously tacky disco...
If you’re in the party spirit, there are Margaritas on tap at El Camino Cantina, a brightly-lit, enthusiastically Tex Mex (emphasis on the Tex)...
The Rocks Discovery Museum draws on the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority's unique archival collection and tells the exciting story of the Rocks from the...
The ghosts of the Rocks’ heady past are still said to linger amongst the old buildings. Lantern Ghost Tours will take you to some of the most haunted...
Timeless elegance and classic luxury are what the Shangri-La Hotel is all about, and those values are held dear at Chi, the Spa on level two.
Independent, craft producers with an Australian focus will are showcased at Barrelhouse Cellars. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming meet-the-maker sessions.
If climbing the Harbour Bridge is a should-see for visiting celebrities (Nicole Kidman, Bruce Springsteen and Justin Timberlake have all opted in for the...
On level three at the Four Seasons Hotel you’ll find hotel guests and relaxation-seeking locals in six treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, pool and...
This Sydney bar has one of Australia's biggest whisky collections – and an award-winning drinks creator at the helm
Overlooking Sydney's historic Rocks area, Four Seasons Hotel offers free WiFi, a bar, restaurant, fitness centre and swimming pool. Situated in Sydney CBD...
Set 400 metres from Circular Quay and 400 metres from Overseas Passenger Terminal, Quay West - The Scout Group offers accommodation in Sydney. Featuring free...
Head to this charming patisserie for some of the most elegant macarons in the city.
This sister café of the OG St Peters outpost is all about showcasing coffee beans from Indonesia, with an aim to promote the coffee quality of our...
Feast on freshly baked scones, ribbon-finger sandwiches and a pot of loose leaf tea in this family-run Irish tea room, and pop into the shop for some imported...
Fuel your artventures, break up your tour of the galleries, or pop in for food and drink with incredible views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House.
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