You can bet your bottom dollar there’ll be a game of two-up being played near you on ANZAC Day. 

But before we dive into where to play two-up this Anzac Day, here’s a quick run down of how to play two-up.

Two coins are placed on a paddle (the kip) by the ‘spinner’. Punters surround the spinner and start calling their bets, for example “tennahead!” should they want to bet $10 on both coins landing heads up.

Want to take that bet? Lock eyes with a stranger, any stranger, that’s keen to bet “tennahead!” and vigorously wave your ten dollars in the head-better’s direction, indicating you want to bet tails. Give them your cash if they accept your intense eye-contact and fanatically cash waving (heads holds the money).

The boxer (referee) yells ‘Come in, Spinner’, to cease bet-making – essentially closing the books for that round – the coins are then flicked in the air. They have to reach higher than the spinner’s head and fall within the circle to count as a valid toss. If it’s heads, you lost. Tails? You won! One of each? The spinner keeps tossing till there’s a result.

Remember that this game is fast, it’s loud, it’s interactive and can be super fun. Our advice: don’t get carried away, set your budget and stick to it.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Coogee Bay Hotel
Get up in the grainy light pre-dawn to pay tribute to those who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations at Coogee Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The Coogee Bay Hotel, which celebrates its 150th year in 2023, will be honouring its servicemen and women with a special Digger’s Breakfast, ANZAC Sweet Toast and bonza B&E rolls. Opens 6am; two-up from noon.
253 Coogee Bay Road, Coogee; coogeebayhotel.com.au.

Coogee Pavilion
The Coogee Pav is conveniently located within cooee of Coogee Beach, which hosts one of the most popular dawn services in Sydney. Dust the sand off your feet and join the throngs marching into the Merivale pavilion for a coffee or B&E roll. The venue will be selling ANZAC biscuits for $2 a pop, with all proceeds going to Legacy. Opens 5.30am (after dawn service); two-up from 1pm. 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee; merivale.com.

Dick’s Hotel
Come in spinner. Dick’s Hotel has one of the biggest two-up rings in the inner west. Gather here to remember those who have served to defend Australia by tossing a few pennies in the air in honour of the servicemen and women who played this game in wartime. This reimagined watering hole has a sprawling two-up arena out back. Opens 10am; two-up from noon. 89 Beattie Street, Balmain; dickshotelbalmain.com.


The Clovelly Hotel
The ‘Cloey’ is an old favourite for those who want to commemorate ANZAC Day. In fact, it has the biggest outdoor two-up arena in the east. The Eastern Suburbs institution also has a roster of live bands and DJs and is a top spot to cheer on the Roosters when they take on the Dragons at 4pm on the big screen. Opens 9am; two-up from noon. 381 Clovelly Road, Clovelly; clovellyhotel.com.au.


The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel makes a big deal about ANZAC Day with a laneway extravaganza designed to pay tribute to our Diggers. It’s one not to miss with DJs spinning Aussie tunes, outdoor BBQs and bars as well as live music. DJ Fraser Sim kicks off at 2pm followed by Let’s Groove Tonight Trio. Opens 9am; two-up from 10am. 237 Glenmore Road, Paddington; royalhotel.com.au.

The Dolphin
Chance it all on the flip of a coin at The Dolphin, where you will find the largest two-up ring in Surry Hills.  Expect a boisterous crowd in this Sydney stalwart clamouring for the RSL ‘Rissole’ sandwich. Donations to Legacy will be accepted all day. Opens 10am; two-up from noon. 412 Crown Street, Surry Hills; dolphinhotel.com.au.


Highfield Caringbah
Expect ice-cold beer on tap to be flowing in the Public House at Highfield Caringbah on ANZAC Day. Not into two-up? There will also be live music rocking out on The Botanical terrace at this contemporary tavern, which houses a modern bistro and traditional sports bar. Tune into the big screen to watch the Roosters and Dragons go head-to-head from 4pm. Opens 10am; two-up from 11am. 22-24 Mackay St, Caringbah; highfieldcaringbah.com.au.

The Richmond Inn
You’re sure to find a few windswept Hawkesbury locals at The Richmond Inn following the solemn silence of the dawn service.  Square off against your mate for a game of two-up after a few schooners and stay until The Last Post is performed by a local Colo High School student. Opens 10am; two-up from noon. 90 March St, Richmond; richmondinn.com.au.

The Greenwood Hotel
There’ll be even more incentive to scoff a few schnitties at The Greenwood Hotel when you learn that $1 from each slab of crumbed chicken will be donated to Legacy, the Australian charity that supports veterans’ families. The grand Greenwood Hotel was built in 1878 as a public school and has been a popular pub for a pint since 1992. Opens 11am; two-up from noon. 36 Blue St, North Sydney; greenwoodhotel.com.

The Lucky Hotel
The roar of the crowds builds like a simmering pot throughout the day at The Lucky Hotel, which is home to Newie’s largest two-up arena. Cheer along with the crowds as they hurl coins into the air from a time-worn paddle until sundown, when the mood at the Palm Springs-inspired pub will turn solemn again for the The Last Post. Bacon and egg rolls and coffee from 5.30am. Opens 5.30am; two-up from noon. 237 Hunter St, Newcastle; theluckyhotel.com.au.

Panthers Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie really goes to town when it comes to honouring those who have fought for our freedom with a dawn service, parade down Horton St and commemorative service at Port Macquarie War Memorial. The Panthers Auditorium is hosting a special ANZAC Day luncheon to commemorate April 25, 1915, when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli. Opens 5.30am; two-up from 3pm. 1 Bay St, Port Macquarie; portmacquarie.panthers.com.au.

Headlands Hotel
The South Coast is spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful vistas from excellent pubs but few compare to the Headlands Hotel in Austinmer. The Anzac Day celebrations will kick off from noon, with two-up tournaments and woodfired pizza or dumplings from the Airstream bistro. Opens at noon; two-up from noon. Cnr Headland Ave & Yuruga St, Austinmer; headlandshotel.com.au.

Wollombi Tavern
Anzac Day begins with the Dawn Service at Anzac Reserve and is followed by a hearty, free breakfast at the Wollombi Tavern. Things get a little less sombre from 1pm when two-up kicks off in the barbecue area, conveniently located next to the drinks and snacks bars. Opens 6:30am; two-up from 1pm. 2994 Great North Rd, Wollombi; wollombitavern.com.au.

Related story: Fire up the grill for ANZAC Day with these 17 steak recipes  

VICTORIA

Young & Jacksons
This pub on Flinders St is the perfect jumping-off point for those marching in the ANZAC Day Parade. There are seven hours of two-up and live bands going off well into the night. Opens 6am; two-up from 10.00am. 1 Flinders Street, Melbourne; youngandjacksons.com.au.

The Palace Hotel
Take your pooch on a pilgrimage to the spacious beer garden at the The Palace, which is a pet-friendly hotel. The Palace will also be showing sport on six screens, so you can choose your own adventure. Opens 10am; two-up from noon. 505 City Road, South Melbourne; thepalacehotel.com.au.

Dandenong RSL
You can pay respect to our Diggers at either the dawn service or 11am service on ANZAC Day in Dandenong. The Dandenong RSL will be serving free finger food served throughout the day and special ANZAC Day priced drinks to quench your thirst. Opens at noon; two-up from 2pm. 44-50 Clow Street, Dandenong; dandenongrsl.com.au.

Orrong Hotel
The faithful restoration of the 150-year-old Orrong Hotel has seen the grand old Art Deco dame ushered into a new era. The hotel’s subtle nip and tuck was appreciated by locals who converge here to lob a few coins skyward on ANZAC Day and score half-price tinnies, Aperol spritzes and house red, white and sparkling wines. Opens 11.30am; two-up from 1pm. 709 High St, Armadale; orronghotel.com.

Golden City Hotel
This charming country pub will be kicking Anzac Day off with an early morning breakfast to warm up those that made it to the Dawn Service. From 6:30am guests can head in to the Golden City Hotel and score a great spot to throw some coins when two-up ramps up from noon. Opens 6:30am; two-up from noon. 427 Sturt St, Ballarat; goldencityhotel.com.au.

Mentone RSL
Anzac Day starts early at Mentone RSL, with a 6am Dawn Service followed by a gold coin donation breakfast in the function room. 8:40am marks the start of the commemorative march before a 9am commemorative service at the RSL before 11:30am two-up. Opens 6am; two-up from 11:30am. 9 Palermo St, Mentone; mentonersl.com.au/anzac-day.

QUEENSLAND

Maryborough Services & Citizens’ Memorial Club
Military buffs will be interested in the fact that the late Duncan Chapman, a Maryborough man, was the first man to set ashore in Gallipoli. There’s a life-size bronze statue dedicated to Chapman in Queens Park in Maryborough, which is one of the stops along a Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum tour. Head to the town’s RSL to remember our veterans. Opens 10am; two-up from 2pm. 163-175 Lennox St, Maryborough; maryboroughservicesclub.com.au.

Story Bridge Hotel
Brisbane’s most iconic pub is located under the heritage-listed Story Bridge, which spans the serpentine Brisbane River. Aussie Diggers will be the VIPs on this day designed in their honour at the Story Bridge Hotel which welcomes walk-ins from 10am. The pub features a line-up of live music from 5pm till late. Opens 6.30am; two-up from 2pm. 200 Main Street, Kangaroo Point; storybridgehotel.com.au.

The Regatta Hotel
There’s much to admire about Brisbane’s oldest building, The Regatta Hotel, which was built by convicts in the late 1820s and boasts views of the Brisbane River. The iconic riverside venue will be open for a feed following the dawn service in Brissie. Follow the alluring aroma of caramelised onion to the barbecue, which begins at noon, and sign up for ANZAC Day activities to raise money for the RSL. Opens 5.30am; two-up from 1pm. 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong; regattahotel.com.au.

The Prince Consort
The rustic and chic Prince Consort in the Valley will be the home of two-up and all things Anzac Day come April 25. Not only will two-up kick off from 1pm, but there will be a whole Anzac-inspired food menu and Karma Kegs on tap to raise funds for Soldier On, a not-for-profit organisation providing support services for current and former ADF personnel. Bookings from 11am; two-up from 1pm. 230 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley; theprinceconsort.com.au.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Albany RSL
Start the day in Albany with a sombre Dawn Service followed by a Gunfire Coffee, that is coffee with a shot of rum to put hair on your chest. Follow the troops on their march from the Albany Town Hall to the ANZAC Peace Park for Albany’s Main Service at 10:30am. Join the crowds back at the Albany RSL, where you can one-up your mates in a game of two-up in the car park. Opens 5:30am; two-up from 1pm. 14 Stirling Terrace, Albany; albanyrsl.com.

Bassendean RSL
The Bassendean RSL has already erected its mobile flagpole ahead of a full day of commemorative services in honour of those who served. There will be food, drink and live music throughout the day, with two-up games running between sets. Starts at 5am; two-up from 11am. 10 Kenny St, Bassendean; facebook.com.

Subiaco Hotel
The Subi as it’s affectionately known is one of Perth’s most iconic pubs. Wake with the birds and wait for the light to grow and the shadows to grow long before heading to this hip spot in Subiaco for breakfast. Situated only minutes from the Kings Park service in the heart of town. Opens 7am, no two-up. 465 Hay Street, Subiaco; subiacohotel.com.au.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Semaphore RSL
Two-up is only permitted in RSL clubs or with a special license in South Australia on Anzac Day. Semaphore Foreshore will commemorate the day with a traditional Gunfire Breakfast, sausage sizzle and two-up session. Dawn service from 6am. 10 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore; semaphoreportadelaidersl.com.au.

The Union Hotel
Waymouth Street comes alive on Anzac Day with a street party kicking off in the morning and swinging straight through until 10pm. Plenty of beers will be sunk, plenty of pennies will be tossed and more than a few laughs will be had as punters commemorate and celebrate our servicemen and women. Opens 10am; two-up from 11am. 70 Waymouth St, Adelaide; theunionhotel.com.au.

Related story: 13 creative takes on the classic Anzac biscuit