Rocking in The Rocks of Sydney
Oldest Pub in Town Sets The Party Scene


The Lord Nelson has good beer with good character (and characters).

Sydney was founded in The Rocks, making it the historic heart of the city. Much of this history can be found in the pubs.

Pubs

The Lord Nelson is the oldest bar in the original part of Sydney.

The oldest pub (and hotel for that matter) in town is The Lord Nelson. Founded in 1831, it retains its historic feel with the brick facade and interesting artifacts on the wall.

But the real attraction here is the beer: The Lord Nelson is one of the city's only microbrewerys, serving "boutique beers" in an English pub/nautical environment. Old Admiral Ale is 6.7% alcohol, which just goes to show you that no matter how strong you think Australian beer is, it's still stronger than you think.

The beer board at Lord Nelson's makes for many choices.

Sydneysider pubbers just love this place.

The Hero of Waterloo is another favorite local pub. It's history is colorful. Legend has it that drunken sailors were dropped through a trap door in the floor, into the cellar and onto a clipper ship, all against his will. Today's drinkers – which are comprised of the young and old – enjoy the beer, burning open-log fires, warm hospitality and self-proclaimed World's Oldest Band.

The Waterloo is a real hero to many of its loyal patrons.

At the Mercantile Hotel, they are proud of selling the most Guiness beer in Sydney. This Irish-influenced pub has live bands which attract such a crowd that getting to the bar for a Guinness can test one's patience. U2, the Irish rock band, held a press conference here, another point of pride for the place. Check out the pictures from the press conference on the wall.

The Mercantile proudly sells the most Guiness in Sydney; just ask U2.

The Lord Nelson and Hero of Waterloo observes the archaic British pub custom of closing at 11 p.m., but this is "no worry" for the Aussie mates, for they just file down the street to the Orient Hotel. The Orient is a three-level bar featuring a dance club on the top floor with live entertainment nightly, and it's open until 3 on the weekends..

Clubs

The Basement in Circular Quay has been a landmark on the Sydney music scene since the early 1970s. Blues, soul, pop-rock and jazz mixes with bands that play tributes to Neil Young, Bob Dylan and other artists. Go for the music or also the food; the bistro is good and it's open late.