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Opera Bar
An outdoor bar on the lower concourse of the Sydney Opera House, facing the Harbour Bridge, with live music every day and food served at the…
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
A sandstone pub in The Rocks that claims to be Sydney's oldest continually licensed hotel and Australia's oldest pub brewery, brewing its own beer on site.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic pub brewery
- Area
- The Rocks, Sydney, Australia
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- lordnelsonbrewery.com
Good to know
- Beer brewed on site
- Bistro
- Accommodation
- Heritage sandstone building
Why we recommend it
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel stands on the corner of Kent and Argyle Streets in The Rocks, at the quieter, western edge of the old town near Observatory Hill. Its sandstone walls were built from locally quarried stone, and you can still see the chisel marks left by convict labour. The pub describes itself as Sydney's oldest continually licensed hotel and the home of Australia's oldest pub brewery.
The current owners took over in 1986 and restored the building to its earlier colonial appearance, using an 1852 photograph as a guide. The result is a traditional pub with a relaxed atmosphere that feels quite different from the modern bars of the city centre. Its location, away from the busiest streets near Circular Quay, means it often feels like a local's pub even though it is only a few minutes from the main sights.
Beer is the main attraction. The pub brews its own range on site, using only malt, hops, yeast and water, without added sugars or preservatives, and its beers have won awards. The brewing process takes place around the building: mashing in the cellar, fermentation in the brewery behind the bar, maturation in the cellar below and conditioning in a bright beer room before the beer reaches the taps in the first-floor bar. Ask the bar staff which beers are pouring and consider a tasting paddle if one is offered.
As well as the bar, the hotel has a dining area serving pub meals, and bookings can be made online through OpenTable. It also offers accommodation in rooms upstairs, which suit travellers who want to stay in a historic building in the heart of The Rocks. Disabled access is available; contact the hotel for details.
The Lord Nelson suits beer lovers, history enthusiasts and anyone who wants a traditional Australian pub experience. It is relaxed during the day and livelier in the evenings and on weekends, especially after work on Fridays. Dress is casual.
The pub is around ten minutes' walk from Circular Quay and Wynyard stations, uphill through The Rocks. It makes a good stop after visiting Observatory Hill, which offers views over the harbour and bridge, or after walking across the Harbour Bridge, whose southern stairs are nearby. Barangaroo Reserve and the Walsh Bay wharves are also within a short walk.
Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel FAQs
How old is the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel?
It describes itself as Sydney's oldest continually licensed hotel.
Does the Lord Nelson brew its own beer?
Yes. It is home to what it describes as Australia's oldest pub brewery, brewing on site.
What goes into the beer?
Only malt, hops, yeast and water, with no added sugars, preservatives or additives.
Can you eat at the Lord Nelson?
Yes. The hotel serves pub meals and takes bookings through OpenTable.
Does the hotel have rooms?
Yes. Accommodation is available in the historic building.
Where is it?
At 19 Kent Street, on the corner of Argyle Street in The Rocks.
How do you get there?
Walk about ten minutes uphill from Circular Quay or Wynyard station.