Friend in Hand Hotel

Step inside the Friend in Hand and the first thing you will notice is all the stuff. They have one of the best collections of kitsch and memorabilia of any pub in Sydney. You’ll see three mannequins dressed as Santa Claus, a deep-sea diver and an army officer. Then there's the model train track running above your head and the large model yacht, and the complete drum kit, and the surfboard. There's also a comprehensive collection of autographed photos, some of them famous, and some of the not-so famous.

The front bar is classic public bar territory. A great big wrap-around bar, tiles on the wall and plenty of tradies relaxing after work. There's also a cockatoo, which, if you're lucky, will be let out of its cage to mingle with the crowd.

Drinks are simple: beers on tap and bottles of wine. The food is also simple – think chicken schnitzels, spag bowl and nachos. The dining room is pleasant and makes a good choice in the cooler months. Get a spot next to the fire and linger a while before facing down the cold night outside.