The Old Commodore Hotel

Overview

William 'Billy' Blue was one of early Sydney's great characters. A ferryman, smuggler and raconteur, his rakish charm earned him the nickname The Old Commodore, with a legacy that lives on in the Lower North Shore. Now, nearly 170 years after his son opened the original Old Commodore Inn in honour of his old man, the storied North Sydney pub has been reborn for a new generation.

Set on the threshold between the bustle of North Sydney's commercial centre and the leafy calm of McMahons Point, The Old Commodore is now pouring again under the stewardship of Glenn Piper's Epochal Hotels group (Harbord Hotel, The Scarborough Hotel, Merweather's Beach Hotel). The pub's smart new look celebrates contrasts — timber, steel and brick accents are softened with refined touches of travertine, brass and linen — while paying homage to its namesake via maritime stipes, pressed metal ceilings and handpainted signage, as well as walls adorned with portraits, artefacts and historic curiosities that tell the story of the Old Commodore himself.

Music sits at the heart of the new Commodore, with a weekly lineup of local artists, small ensembles, DJs and the odd surprise act from further afield. You'll be able to catch a gig from the front bar's main stage or the verdant, sun-drenched terrace, with the occasional acoustic or songwriter's session soundtracking the main dining room. And come nightfall, the moody, cellar-style sports bar transforms from an elevated game-day destination into an after-dark music den.

On the menu, expect no-nonsense classics: chicken parmi, fish and chips, woodfired pizzas and a standout shepherd's pie with braised lamb, lardons and red wine jus. There's seafood aplenty, too, from bug sliders to crab croquettes, as well as playful bar snacks like plantain crisps and lamb ribs. To drink, signature cocktails like the Commodore Spritz (bay leaf vodka, peach, passionfruit, apple and prosecco) sit alongside Aussie wines, craft beers and considered non-alc options — all served with a side of North Shore charm.