Darlo watering hole The Taphouse is one of Sydney’s original craft beer temples. And, due to its close proximity to the Sydney Cricket Ground, it's a bonafide magnet for punters before and after matches.

After a four-month closure in 2023, Applejack Hospitality group (which also owns nearby pub Forrester’s gave the 130-year-old boozer a complete overhaul, while retaining the site’s original heritage features.

The ground floor is as convivial as ever, and 17 beer taps pour local beers from across Sydney, including The Grifter in Marrickville and Katoomba’s Mountain Culture. The second floor is dedicated to trivia, events and match days, while the rooftop is light, bright and splashed with nautical hues to match the open-air vibes.

The biggest boon is a new restaurant, inspired by the multicultural pubs of London where kitchens are often leased out to local restaurants serving various cuisines. Here, it’s all about Cantonese share plates: crispy-skin chicken legs roasted Shandong-style in a spicy soy-based sauce; silky prawn wontons; and egg noodles topped pork belly, pickled chilli and black beans.