Sydney's Eight Best Bars For Watching Sport
They're not just sports bars. They're bars where you can watch sport.
In partnership with 
It's fair to say that most Australians love their sport. So it's genuinely baffling how few quality places there are to actually watch it when it's on. Sure, you can head along to the local pub and catch this game or that, but for the truly immersive experience, one that caters to the widest possible range of sporting enthusiasts and their international tastes, the task suddenly becomes all the more difficult. Thankfully, though, we've teamed up with the Hahn Brewers to bring you eight of the best places in town to catch your sport, from the small-scale intimate pub environment right up to the all-in, mega-screened sportsatorium.
YORK 75
This gorgeous Merivale venue boasts an unrivalled twenty screens, many of which feature in the venue's reservable 8-seater booths coupled with full table service. Located on the second floor, the feel of York 75 is 'upscale Manhattan casual', and along with free pool tables surrounded by their own screens (for when you feel the need to play as well as watch), York 75 also offers in-house sports betting AND an on-site TAB so you'll never need leave or miss a moment's action while putting on a punt. York 75 is all about a tailored 'sport by request' experience, so if they're not playing what you want, you ask and they'll do their best to deliver. Best for: NRL, AFL and rugby.
Ask anyone to recommend a great old Sydney pub and inevitably someone will fire back with 'The Courty'. This timeless Newtown pub has become the go-to venue for Sydney Swans fans who gather before, during and after every game - both home and away - to cheer, cheer the red and the white. With two outdoor areas that accommodate smokers, non-smokers and even pets on a leash, The Courty is an old school Sydney institution just oozing with the kind of character you can only ever earn, not simply build or buy. Best for: AFL.
CHEERS
Sydney's famous late night venue makes it the perfect spot for those early morning EPL games, and you never have to look far to find a strong cohort of British ex-pats enthusiastically cheering on their teams. With huge daily discounts on food and drink, Cheers also offers an upstairs mezzanine area with loads of pool tables ($1 games on Sunday), high tables and lounge seating, all of which doubles as a killer bookable venue for functions and events. Best for: NRL, EPL ad NFL.
When you're this close to both the SCG and the SFS, it's almost inevitable you become a stalwart for sports fans across any number of codes. Situated on the border of Paddington and Woollahra, you could be forgiven for assuming The Light Brigade was just a stuffy high-end venue for Sydney's wealthy elite, but you'd be so wrong. With its giant 103-inch plasma, along with smaller screens scattered all around the venue, The Light Brigade is a great place to catch all the live action of the AFL, Rugby Union, UFC, A-League and NRL in full HD. With its simple cuisine and recently-renovated interior offering a much lighter, airier experience, The Light Brigade is an easy inclusion in this list. Best for: AFL, rugby and a-league.
THE STAR 24/7 SPORTS BAR
The name says it all: 24/7. Without a doubt one of the biggest benefits of sitting outside of Sydney's lockout law precincts is the ability to play ALL sports LIVE, no matter what time of the day they're on. And no matter what you decide to watch, Star 24/7 Sports Bar boasts six 'mega' screens, over 50 LCD TVs and their latest behemoth: a 34 square metre LED screen to rule them all. The only bigger screen in town is the IMAX. Food wise, the in-house 'Fuel' restaurant offers a full menu of pub classics, and for the punters there's Australia's first paperless TAB right in the middle of the action. Yes, it's in the casino, but what it lacks in personality and intimacy, it makes up for in scale. This bar is huge, and there's simply no way to miss the action. Watch any sport, any time, and if you can't decide — just watch them all at once. Best for: live international sport at any time.
MAGIC MILLIONS BAR
The Hotel Steyne in Manly also consists of Magic Millions bar. It's the complete fusion of sports and gaming, combining built-in betting facilities with an array of TV screens broadcasting the very best of of local and international sports. The comfy seaside local serves up a predictably delicious dose of fresh seafood, along with a solid mix of beers with which to wash it all down, and its location in Manly makes it the perfect venue for an afternoon stint in front of the action after a morning spent soaking in the best of Sydney's beaches. Best for: racing, NRL, boxing, UFC and golf.
PYRMONT BRIDGE HOTEL
If you want sport, they've got it over at Sydney's iconic and heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge Hotel. Football, baseball, NFL and rugby, it's all on at the PBH, and to ensure you never miss a moment you can check the bar's online sports schedule then book a couch, table or entire area for you and your friends. Classic pub fare leads the way on the menu, while beer ensures you're sufficiently lubricated to best cheer on whichever team's earned your favour that day. Plus, the PBH's rooftop bar offers some of the best views of the city and Darling Harbour around, making it the perfect place to pitch tent during half-time, tea or a network timeout. Best for: basketball and European football.
CHURCHILLS
Churchills, on ANZAC Parade, is another popular venue for those who love their sport mixed in with a little bit of a wager to boot. With its many giant screens and late-night hours offering everything from international football to the mid-afternoon UFC and boxing, Churchills (as they say on their own signs), is the place to be for those who love their sport. Racing is featured every day, and for everything else Churchills offers a weekly sports schedule email to ensure you know precisely what's coming up ahead of time. Best for: racing, NRL and European football.
Sign up to Hahn Brewers and settle down with a drink this weekend.
Published on September 30, 2016 by
Tom Glasson
Trending
Today
News
Restaurants
Bars
Events
