Where2WatchIt

There’s something special about a pub that feels like the heart of its neighbourhood.

The Magpie in Sydney’s Inner West is one of those places.
Stop 18/ 100+ on the search for Sydney’s best sports bars

This isn’t a flashy mega sports bar. It’s the kind of venue where locals gather, pints are poured properly, and live sport feels like part of the furniture.

⭐ Sports Bar Score: 21/25

📺 Screens & Sightlines: 5/5
🔊 Sound & Commentary: 3/5
🏉 Sports Coverage: 5/5
🍻 Vibes: 4/5
✨ Extras: 4/5

Why Visit?

Great vibes and feels like a true local pub.

The Magpie strikes an excellent balance between serious sports coverage and classic neighbourhood pub atmosphere. If you want somewhere welcoming, relaxed, and reliably showing the big games, this is a cracking option.

Sometimes the best sports bars aren’t trying to be sports bars at all.

They’re just really good pubs that happen to know exactly what fans want.

Would I come back? In a heartbeat.

Sports Bar Review: The Erko (Erskineville Hotel) 🍻
Stop 17 / 100+ on the search for Sydney’s best sports bars

A proper community pub with good vibes — just not a sports bar.

The Erko is one of those places people actually hang out in. Dog-friendly, kid-friendly, pool table out the back, and a relaxed local crowd that gives it that real neighbourhood feel.

There are screens and you’ll catch a game, but this is definitely a “sport in the background” kind of venue rather than somewhere built for big match viewing.

Scorecard in the slides 👆
👉 Best for: casual hangs, dogs, and a game on the side
👉 Not for: full game-day atmosphere.

Sports Bar Review: The Townie (Town Hall Hotel, Newtown) 🍻
Stop #16 / 100+ on the search for Sydney’s best sports bars

A proper Newtown pub with a bit of everything — gigs, drinks… and a game on in the background.

The Townie falls into the “pub with screens” category. It’s got Foxtel, so you’ll catch AFL and NRL, but this isn’t where you go for a full sports bar setup.

What it is great for?
👉 A pre-gig drink before heading to Enmore
👉 Catching the first half before live music kicks off
👉 A casual watch without the chaos

Scorecard in the slides 👆
👉 Best for: Pre-gig drinks + catching the game
👉 Not for: full game-day atmosphere

SportIsBetterWithOthers

Sports Bar Review: Harbour View Hotel 🍻
Stop #13/ 100+ on the search for Sydney’s best sports bars

One of the best rooftop views in Sydney — but not where you come for the game.

The Harbour View Hotel absolutely delivers on location, with a rooftop looking straight out to the Harbour Bridge. It’s the kind of spot you bring visitors to soak up Sydney… just don’t expect to be watching the match up there.

Downstairs you’ll find screens and sport on, but the vibe leans more towards live music, drinks and atmosphere than a dedicated sports setup.

It falls firmly into the category of:
👉 sport is there if you want it, but it’s not the main event

Scorecard in the slides 👆
👉 Best for: Harbour views & taking out-of-towners
👉 Not for: “live & loud” game watching

Sports Bar Review: Australian Heritage Hotel 🍻
Stop #13 / 100+ on the search for Sydney’s best sports bars

A proper old-school pub in The Rocks — full of character, history, and… very Australian menu choices 🦘

There are screens around and you’ll catch the game, but here’s the thing — sport isn’t the main event.

It’s more of a “beer, pizza and oh yeah the game’s on” kind of venue.

The real draw? The vibe and the menu. Think emu, croc, kangaroo pizzas and a pub that feels like it’s been there forever.

Scorecard in the slides 👆
👉 Come for the pub experience, stay if there’s a game on.

Sports Bar Review: The Glenmore 🍻
Stop 12 / 100+ on the search for Sydney’s best sports bars

A classic Sydney pub with a bit of everything.

Downstairs has that old-school sports bar feel — plenty of screens, a steady flow of tourists, pub crawls, hens and bucks parties rolling through. It’s lively, a little chaotic, and very much part of the Rocks experience.

Head upstairs though and it’s a completely different vibe. One of the best rooftop views in Sydney, looking straight out to the Harbour and Opera House — the kind of place you stay for a drink (or three) after the game.

When I visited there was a solid mix of sport on across the screens — rugby, AFL, NRL, basketball and motorsport — so you’re rarely short on something to watch.

It’s a bit of a climb to get there, but absolutely worth it.

Scorecard breakdown in the slides 👆
A great spot to take out-of-town friends and sneak a game in while you’re at it.