The Cricketers Arms (the Crix, to her friends) is an all-season good time. Practically untouched for decades, the Surry Hills staple is filled with old-school pub charm as well as a fancy new French bistro upstairs. It’s the best of both worlds with a DJ booth thrown in for good measure. 106 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills; resy.com/cities/syd/chez-crix

Woolloomooloo isn’t exactly short of a corner pub but the Old Fitzroy has got to be the best one in the area. Classic dark wood panelling, a deep set bar pulling some of the coolest craft beers around, and stunning Spanish snacks under red and white umbrellas is a recipe for success. Try and score the tiny balcony spot if you can and don’t let go until last call. 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo; oddculture.group/venue/the-old-fitzroy-hotel

Run, don’t walk, if you want to secure a spot on the best pub rooftop in Sydney. The Glenmore in the Rocks was built in 1921 and despite a swag of upgrades, the historic charm is well and truly alive here. Three levels of bars, a huge amount of tables out on the street and a hell of a view everywhere you look, the cold beers are just a bonus. Sitting at the base of the Harbour Bridge and with direct views of the dazzling water, it doesn’t get much better than this. 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks; theglenmore.com.au

Sure, Newtown’s old gal might not be the most glamorous pub but you’ll be hard-pressed heading to the Courty and not running into at least one friend, or a happy dog to pat. Pool tables, a great bistro, and more AFL memorabilia than you can poke a stick at, the Courty is the patron saint of baby-queers and frosty beers. 202 Australia Street, Newtown; thecourty.com.au

A tightly run ship with the most exquisite beer garden centrepiece is all you need as far as we’re concerned. The oak tree in question is beautiful in the day, and dazzles by night with thousands of meticulously placed fairy lights (you’ll gasp unironically when they switch on at dusk, it’s ok). The art deco-style pub is sprawling and not short of a private event space, a bunch of pool tables, killer steaks aged in-house and even a fun sports bar that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 118 Military Road, Neutral Bay; oakshotel.com.au

Since opening in 2022, the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre has won the popular vote for best brewery in the inner west. If you thought winning a seat in the 1983 election was tricky, just try getting a stool at Hawke’s brewery on a Sunday. The beloved boozer is also home to a killer yum cha and a la carte bistro, the Lucky Prawn, which takes its culinary cues from the Kan-Tong era, when ice cream was deep-fried, prawns were drenched in honey, and sweet and sour pork glowed in the dark. Great beer, nostalgia-fuelled decor and plenty of memorabilia make this one of Sydney’s absolute best pubs out there. 8-12 Sydney Street, Marrickville; hawkesbrewing.com

A little bit fancy but still breathtakingly beautiful, the Newport on the North Shore is nothing short of a triumph. Water views, Italian-esque white paving and a kids play area, the Newport ticks all the boxes and more. 2 Kalinya Street, Newport; merivale.com/venues/thenewport

Never change, PHP. Sticky carpets, a Batch micro-brewery out the back, and a wrap around verandah are just the beginning of the Public House Petersham. Smoked meats, woodfired pizzas, a beer garden and groovy natural wines take the Inner West pub from good to great. 292 Stanmore Road, Petersham; publichousepetersham.com.au

If you had views as good as the Hotel Palisade, you’d want to show them off too. The rooftop is home of Henry Dean, a fancy-schmancy modern addition to the heritage-listed pub but downstairs is the really good stuff. The ground floor Public Bar was the watering spot of the wharfie’s for decades and things have remained no-frills with white-washed walls and rustic cosy warmth. Food is less “schnitty and chips” and more “Korean fish taco” but we reckon the sailors of old wouldn’t mind a bit of spice. 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point; hotelpalisade.com.au

Part Australian pub, part American dive, the Duke of Enmore is in a league of its own when it comes to dingy rock and roll vibes. The huge lineup of live music doesn’t hurt the image either but elevated pub fare like stracciatella with pickled green tomatoes, and chickpea pancakes with black olive and mint put this dive to the next level. 148 Enmore Road, Enmore; oddculture.group/venue/the-duke-of-enmore