The Lansdowne Hotel

The Lansdowne Hotel, on the corner of Broadway and City Road, has been pulling pints since the 1920s. While it’s long been a favourite of students at nearby universities, thanks to its drink specials and late licence, it’s also revered among local and international musicians for its cultivation of Sydney’s live-music scene.

Over the decades the pub has been a staple for bands in the early stages of their careers, but also for juggernauts who prefer its legacy and intimacy to bigger, sleeker venues. You Am I and The Preatures played there early in their careers, The Living End has brought raucous times to its band room, and global superstar Billie Eilish took to its stage in 2017. Wolf Alice, Violent Soho, the Hard Ons and many, many more have graced its two beer-soaked stages.

The pub enjoyed a major renaissance under the Marys Group, who’s tenure lasted from 2017 until early 2022. The team behind the Oxford Art Factory have since taken the reigns, ushering in a new era for the venue with a pool-inspired rooftop bar and a revamp of the public bar downstairs and band room above.

Whether you’re here for a gig, Wednesday night trivia or catching the sunset up top, you can grab a bite at The Lansdowne from open till close. It’s all crowd-pleasing, gig-friendly stuff. Think milk bun burgers, no-nonsense pizzas and gyros pita wraps (available for $7 at "wrappy hour" after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). On Sundays, order a slab of lasagne and a drink for $20.