Where to spend ANZAC Day 2016 in Sydney

Our national day of remembrance is upon us once again, and as Sydney prepares to commemorate the ANZACs with its annual ceremony on 25th April 2016, we’ve looked to some of the city’s most loved hotels and pubs to put together this list of seven essential events celebrating the memory of our fallen soldiers.

Martin Place Bar (CBD)

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ANZAC Day at Martin Place Bar

For those really looking to get involved in the dawn service proceedings at Martin Place this year, there is no better placed venue than Martin Place Bar. The long-standing bar is tucked away under the slope just off the area’s iconic forecourt, and this year they’ll be hosting a Diggers’ Breakfast BBQ from 5am to 10am on their recently refurbished alfresco terrace, serving up free-range bacon and egg rolls, and gourmet sausage sandwiches on Sonoma Bakery sourdough, both available for $7 each.

Also located directly on the parade route along Elizabeth Street, Martin Place Bar is an ideal spot to hang around long after the breakfast BBQ since the bar will be offering up a selection of wines, beers and spirits throughout the day, along with a tailored bistro favourites menu between 10am and 2pm, featuring the bar’s popular free-range chicken schnitzel, and pot pies.

Address: 51 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 9231 5575
Website: www.martinplacebar.com.au

ANZAC Day with The Good Beer Company (Surry Hills + Randwick)

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Two-Up at Dove & Olive

The Good Beer Company own and operate three of Sydney’s most essential, tap-heavy pubs with Keg & Brew and Dove & Olive both in Surry Hills, and The Dog in Randwick, and they’ll be organising a jam-packed event across all three for ANZAC Day, putting together a fun mix of drink specials, giveaways, tasty treats and, of course, two-up.

Doors to each open at 10am on the day, with the traditional games of two-up from 1pm alongside all-day-long drink specials of VB Tinnies, schooners of 4 Pines Pale Ale, Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, and The Good Cider (an exclusive brew by The Australian Brewery), all $5 each.

The ANZAC inspired food menu on offer for the day will include Fush ‘n Chups (a Monteith’s Pale Ale battered Flathead with chips, chunky tartare, salad leaves, and lemon), Happy Little Vegemite Pie (a house made beef, vegetable, and Vegemite float), an All Black Angus 250g certified 150 day grain fed rump served on a pool of cauliflower puree, and an Australian Eaton Mess with mango and passionfruit.

Each pub will be giving away prizes on the day, including one major prize given away which will have the winner and up to three mates go on a free brewing tour at the 4Pines Manly BrewPub, with a tasting rack included.

Those still wanting to enjoy the footy on the day need not worry as the big Roosters game will be playing live at The DOG for all the diehard fans out there.

For more information head to each venue’s website below.

Dove & Olive

Address: 156 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Contact: (02) 9699 6001
Website: www.doveandolive.com.au

Keg & Brew

Address: 26 Foveaux St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Contact: (02) 9212 1740
Website: www.kegandbrew.com.au

The DOG:

Address: 2 St Marks Rd, Randwick NSW 2031
Contact: (02) 9398 2682
Website: www.doghotel.com.au

The Australian Heritage Hotel + The Glenmore Hotel (The Rocks)

One of the area’s most historic pubs, The Australian Heritage Hotel, will be teaming up with neighbour The Glenmore Hotel, to fill the whole of Cumberland Street with a true celebration of the ANZACs. The Australian will be serving up a Diggers’ BBQ Breakfast from 6am, after which they’ll be staging big games of two-up from 12pm in the CBD’s largest outdoor arena. Those heading along at any time can wrap their day up on The Glenmore’s famed rooftop with a schooner and a bacon & egg roll.

The Australian Heritage Hotel

Address: 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Contact: (02) 9247 2229
Website: australianheritagehotel.com

The Glenmore

Address: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Contact: (02) 9247 4794
Website: theglenmore.com.au

West Village (Petersham)

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Beer + Burgers at West Village

This new-look gastro-pub will be swinging doors open at 10am this ANZAC Day for a Gunfire breakfast featuring coffee spiked with a shot of spiced rum (something the ANZACs used to drink before going to battle) with a breakfast roll following by games of two-up in the arvo, hosted by the team at Young Henrys. Those staying on for lunch can get themselves an epic Aussie burger with fried egg, pineapple, bacon, beetroot, caramelised onion, beef, and tomato, or for something smaller, a nice and hot lamb rib sandwich.

Address: 30 Terminus Street, Petersham
Contact: 02 9569 4674
Website: www.westvillagesydney.com.au

The Light Brigade (Woollahra)

This heritage pub will be flipping coins and serving up cold beers all day for the ANZACs, transforming into a lively two-up arena from 11am (doors from 10am) with their full, recently refreshed menu of wood-fired pizza and $4 Aussie VB Schooners, alongside their gastro-pub takes on steak sandwiches, beef burgers, and chicken parmies.

Address: 2A Oxford St, Woollahra NSW 2025
Contact: (02) 9357 0888
Website: www.lightbrigade.com.au

Beer DeLuxe (King Street Wharf)

anzac day beer deluxe

This recently opened hub of Australian craft beers will be hosting a “battle of the beers” for ANZAC Day, pitting two NZ brews up against two Aussie brews to see who has the best drop. Panhead Custom Ale’s Supercharger APA will be teaming up with the Shifter Black IPA to take on Murray’s Angryman Pale Ale and a Fred IPA, with voting left up to the public to decide the winner. Everyone who voted for the winning beer then goes in the draw to win a $100 bar tab.

Address: 9 Lime Street, King Street Wharf
Contact: 02 9262 1727
Website: www.beerdeluxe.com.au/king-street-wharf

The Newport (Newport)

And last but not least, Merivale’s grand mega-venue The Newport has been open for a few weeks now, building up a following both locally and from across Sydney. For ANZAC Day, they’ll be serving up morning coffee along with bacon & egg rolls from the Kiosk Cafe and Juice Bar from 7:30am. For lunch, a BBQ will be on hand alongside Anzac biscuits and a full schedule of entertainment for all ages (for a full schedule head to their website listed below). Commemorations begin at 12pm.

Address: 2 Kalinya St, Newport NSW 2106
Contact: (02) 9997 4900
Website: www.merivale.com.au/thenewport.

All information was correct at the time of printing. Visit the respective websites or contact the hotels directly for any updated information ahead of the events on 25th April 2016.

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Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.