Overview
The arrival of summer means afternoons spent in beer gardens and nights that run late on cocktail bar rooftops. But, what if you could have an equally stimulating experience while avoiding that tinge of regret that comes when checking your bank balance the next day? The wonders of BYO make this dream scenario possible!
With countless booze-friendly destinations to discover throughout the Harbour City and its surrounds, you can celebrate every kind of occasion with your closest pals and a carefully curated drinks selection from your own fridge or local bottle shop.
Together with Mosey Fruity Beer, the hottest newcomer to the beer aisle, we've rounded up a collection of cracking BYO-friendly spots to hit up this summer. Ranging from much-loved restaurants to weekend escapes, all six picks are confirmed hot spots for taking a Mosey along. By stashing a can (or a four-pack) of the new brew in your bag, you're bringing a fruity take on the classic frothy — and an added level of freshness and 'crushability'. Our prediction? You'll be stinging for a sip by the time you're finished reading.
Elliott Kramer
ORGANISE A SUNSET BEACHSIDE BBQ
Set along the beachfront overlooking Middle Harbour, Clontarf Reserve in the Northern Beaches is an idyllic spot for a sunset barbecue. The fact that it's BYO-friendly only sweetens the deal. With this expansive green space offering a well-equipped barbecue area, you're all set to cook your snags or veggie burgers to enjoy as the red, orange and purple hues sweep across the fading sky at dusk.
If you're not in the mood to lug around a picnic basket, Clontarf Reserve is also home to Bosk — a stellar restaurant and kiosk immersed in foliage. Grab a juicy burger, a Turkish bread toastie or a homemade ice cream to go along with the park's BYO-friendly hours which last from 8am to 8pm.
Chester Newling
PICNIC IN THE PARK
Sydney has pristine gardens aplenty and Dunbar Park in Avalon is one of the best for BYO fun (with the allure of a beachside posi). Running behind Avalon Village, you can leave home with only your Moseys because you've got a generous selection of bakeries, grocers and cafes to stock you up for the most outstanding picnic.
On the other side of town, Centennial Park offers boundless space where you can enjoy a fresh and fruity beer with pals. As the largest public green space in the city, you won't have a problem finding a peaceful patch to break out the lawn games away from the crowds. Just keep an eye out for designated alcohol-free zones before cracking your tinnies.
Yutacar, Unsplash
AVOID THE RELOS BY HOSTING A FRIENDS-MAS PARTY
While there are parks, beaches and restaurants galore in virtually every corner of Sydney, you don't have to leave home at all to make the most of BYO. In fact, organising a friends-mas party as the holiday season approaches is the best method to avoid any awkward family encounters (including unanticipated run-ins at your favourite restaurant) or simply enjoy the best of festivities with your chosen family.
Best of all? Hosting your closest pals at home means you get to choose the tunes, define the dance floor and skip the pilgrimage home altogether. Just load up a playlist with your favourite bangers and clear some space in the fridge to keep the brews icy cold.
Alana Dimou
HIT A LOCAL BYO RESTAURANT
Bar Italia has been keeping hungry diners fed since 1952 — more than earning institution status. The timeless and delightfully consistent menu is complemented by quick service, large servings and simple deliciousness. While the tremendous pasta servings and housemade gelato leave an impression, the $1pp corkage makes this an elite BYO destination for the coin-conscious.
Shift a couple suburbs east to Haymarket and you'll come across Mamak (pictured above). This bustling Malaysian eatery is a crowded affair thanks to its widely adored satay dishes, flavour-packed curries and utterly perfect roti. With the street-style food and $2pp corkage, Mamak is a top spot for a BYO banquet.
SKIP TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND
Take your BYO dreams on the road by securing incredible out-of-town accommodation. The Black Chapel in Austinmer (pictured above) is hugely impressive — offering a lavishly styled home surrounded by bush. After you've taken a soak in the plunge pool and schvitzed in the Finnish sauna, wander down the bush track to nearby Sharkies Beach to enjoy a few waterside brews.
St Joseph's Guesthouse in Saint Albans is a unique stay for an inland adventure that has strong countryside-English-manor vibes. Built by convicts in 1839, this former church has been lovingly restored to accommodate up to 10 guests. Featuring an outdoor pool, a cinema projector and a rooftop lounge beneath the old church steeple, BYO has never been so good.
David Finn
CRUISE OUT FOR A CAMPING TRIP
Soak up some of the state's most scenic spots with a brew in hand on a camping trip. As the only place you can pitch a tent in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, The Basin campground ensures you're easily within reach of coastline, rainforest and bushland.
North of Newcastle, in Myall Lakes National Park, Treachery Camp is another tranquil campground primed for sipping down a cold beer. Here, in the sleepy Seal Rocks locale, you can roam sand dunes and wild nature walks that dip in and out of the coastal bluff. Throw some tinnies in the daypack to enjoy with your well-earned lunch break.
Armed with a ripper BYO spot and a four-pack of Mosey Fruity Beers, you'll be ready to make summer yours. To find out more about the juicy bevs, head to the website.
Top image: Chester Newling