Want to organise a night out with the girls? Or maybe have a fun date with hubby? If you’re looking for the best bars or pubs that are easy to access the North Shore train line in Sydney, we’ve got you covered! Some have just sprung up over the last few years, others have had a major renovation that begs a revisit, and others have been around for a while and provide the ‘classic’ pub experience.
- Commodore Hotel, McMahon’s Point
- The Treehouse, North Sydney
- The Greenwood, North Sydney
- Li’l Darlin, Crows Nest
- Small Bar, Crows Nest
- Bar Infinita, Gordon
- The Cockatoo Bar, Gordon
- Kiplings Garage Bar, Turramurra
- Level One Lounge, Hornsby
Best bars & pubs on the Lower North Shore
1. Commodore Hotel, McMahons Point
Commodore Hotel
Set amongst the trees above Blues Point Road, The Commodore is the perfect spot for a glass of wine, cocktail, and even lunch or dinner. The award-winning bistro offers a variety of delicious dishes, all of which are made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It’s definitely not your average pub fare! It’s a short (downhill) walk from North Sydney station, but it feels a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the North Sydney CBD.
- Address: 206 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point
- Nearby train station: North Sydney, 5 minutes walk
- Phone: (02) 9922 4331
- Website: Commodore Hotel
2. The Treehouse, North Sydney
The Treehouse
The Treehouse restaurant and bar offers a distinctly premium experience. The contemporary Australian menu, classically driven cocktail list, and extensive wine selection are perfect for a night out.
- Address: 60 Miller Street, North Sydney
- Nearby train station: North Sydney, 4 minutes walk
- Phone: (02) 8458 8980
- Website: The Treehouse Hotel
3. The Greenwood, North Sydney
The Greenwood Hotel
Sydney institution The Greenwood Hotel was built in 1878, initially as a church and later also used as a school. In 1992, it was turned into a pub, and it quickly became one of the North Shore’s most popular venues. It features four lively bars and open courtyards, serving good, honest pub food, a beautiful wine list, smashing cocktails and icy cold beers.
- Address: 36 Blue Street, North Sydney
- Nearby train station: North Sydney, 1 minute walk
- Phone: (02) 9964 9477
- Website: Greenwood Hotel
4. Li’l Darlin, Crows Nest
Li’l Darlin, Crows Nest
Thanks to the new metro, this bar is easier to get to than ever, and it’s well worth the stop on a night out. You will discover fantastic signature cocktails (more on this below), and the food is incredible.
Whether you enjoy one of their tapas dishes (I highly recommend the salt and pepper squid and the burrata and prosciutto plate) or a pizza to share (mouthwatering!), your drinks will go down a treat with one of their tasty morsels on offer. The venue is also nice and cosy with a great, busy nightlife vibe, where you can sit back, catch up with friends, and enjoy a well-deserved night out.
- Address: 23 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
- Phone: 0412 921 510
- Nearest train station: Crows Nest Metro, 4 minute walk
- Website: https://lildarlin.com.au/
5. Small Bar, Crows Nest
Small Bar
Nestled along the restaurant strip of Willoughby Road, Small Bar is the perfect spot for an after-work drink, a refresher before (or after) dinner, or even a great spot to host a party! Small Bar is part of a new breed of bars making Sydney awesome (they also have bars in the city and Kirribilli). It’s the perfect vibe of casual meets sophistication.
- Address: 85 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
- Nearby train station: St Leonards, 9 minutes walk
- Phone: (02) 8084 5118
- Website: Small Bar
6. The Avenue Bar & Kitchen, Chatswood
The Avenue
It doesn’t get more convenient than being literally opposite Chatswood station! The Avenue offers European-influenced dishes with a local twist. Delicious dishes, mouth-watering share plates, and nibbles will complement your favourite tipple.
- Address: 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
- Nearby train station: Chatswood, 1-minute walk
- Phone: (02) 9423 2888
- Website: The Avenue
Best bars & pubs on the Upper North Shore
7. Bar Infinita, Gordon
The newly opened Bar Infinita has brought a splash of style to the North Shore, and it’s very welcome! The restaurant takes inspiration from its family ties to Italy, the traditional recipes passed down to it, and its connection to creating food with fresh produce. It’s homemade Italian that’s modern yet nostalgic.
- Address: 10 St Johns Avenue, Gordon
- Nearby train station: Gordon, 5 minutes walk
- Phone: (02) 9144 6910
- Website: barinfinita.com.au
8. The Cockatoo Bar, Gordon
The Cockatoo Bar & Restaurant
Yay, something on the upper north shore! After the recent closure of Blackout Bar in Lindfield, Match Smoke House in Roseville, and now Cellar 8 in Pymble, it’s nice to see more bars cropping up. We need more cool bars on the UNS, but we also need to support them. Explore the world of Cantonese and Chinese cuisines with fresh and high-quality food – even better, you can enjoy happy hour drinks from 4pm-7pm every day.
- Address: Shop 8-9 | Ground Floor | GPO Building | 741 Pacific Highway, Gordon 2072
- Nearby train station: Gordon, 1-minute walk
- Phone: (02) 9499 8698
- Website: The Cockatoo Bar
9. Kipling’s Garage Bar, Turramurra
Kipling’s Bar & Restaurant
Kipling’s Garage Bar is buzzing every night of the week and is the perfect spot for a date night with hubby or catch up with the girls. It’s one of the best bars on North Shore. The once 1920’s garage now features a chic industrial setting serving up an elegant, rustic, ‘street food’ tapas menu by Chef Thiago Menezes. The casual neighbourhood spot serves classic and modern spirits, craft beers, and ciders alongside a wine list featuring vintages and varieties from Australia, Europe and Latin America.
- Address: 2 Eastern Road, Turramurra
- Nearby train station: Turramurra, 2 minutes walk
- Phone: (02) 9440 4088
- Website: Kipling’s Garage Bar
10. Level One Lounge, Hornsby
Level One Lounge, Hornsby
Despite being in an RSL Club, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in a swanky inner-city bar at Level One Lounge. Luckily, the drink prices are much more affordable! It’s one of the best bars on North Shore. At the bar, choose from the international wine list, an array of boutique and craft beers on tap or a cocktail. The food menu offers a selection of tapas to share and pizza. Great for an easy night out!
- Address: Hornsby RSL, 4 High Street, Hornsby
- Nearby train station: Hornsby, 3 minutes walk
- Phone: (02) 9477 7777
- Website: Level One Lounge
Want more Cafes, Restaurants and Bars on the North Shore?
- Ladies lunch at the Greengate Terrace
- Food and fun at Park House, Mona Vale
- A taste of ramen perfection at Ippudo Chatswood
- Echo on the Marina, Roseville Chase
- West Pymble Bicentennial Club
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