There's something about warm weather and a cold beer make for a perfect spring afternoon. The crisp of winter has subsided, and replaced by the crips of a frothy beverage. Whether you're a beer connoisseur or just simply looking for a brewery with vibes for your next footy viewing party, these are the venues tried and tested by the RUSSH editors that hit that holy trifecta: good location, good vibes and great beers.
1. Felons Brewing Co. (Manly)
Open: Open 11am until late, 7 days
Instagram: @felonsmanly
Waterfront at the Manly Wharf, Felons procures craft beers, curated dishes and local produce. It's a great spot for a bit of lunch or large groups, without much need for bookings (they're massive, with 200 seats indoors and 120 more on the boardwalk). They've also just introduced Rise After Dark, a nightly program of live music from emerging artists in jazz, funk, rockabilly blues and soul.
2. The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre (Marrickville)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @hawkesbeerandleisure
Named Australia’s Best Brewery Bar in 2023, Bob Hawke's is as kitsch and quintessentially 1980s as they come. It's home pool rooms, a sunny beer garden out front, and to a Aussie-Chinese restaurant called Lucky Prawn too (don't miss the deep-fried Vienetta or their regular Yum Cha nights).
3. Beer Fontaine (Botany)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @beerfontaine
This is a classically inspired microbrewery producing Stouts, Sours, Saisons, Barrel Aged, Lagers, IPAs – you name it. They're producing some of Sydney's wildest beers here, and they do live music and food pop ups too.
4. Wildflower (Marrickville)
Open: Thursday – Sunday
Instagram: @wildflowerbeer
If you’re into unique brews, you’ve got to check out Wildflower – instead of metal tanks and commercial yeast, they’re working with native bush cuttings and wild fermentation, and the results are complex, tart and seriously memorable. You can also pair your beverage with something from their snack menu, which champions local producers.
5. The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel (The Rocks)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @lordnelsonbrewery
Australia's oldest pub brewery, The Lord Nelson is an institution (they've traded continuously since 1841). They have six core brews on offer, alongside typical pub fare, an expansive wine list and with a modern Australian diner upstairs.
6. The Grifter Brewing Co. (Marrickville)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @thegrifterbrewingco
Tucked inside a converted warehouse since 2015, Grifter Brewing Co. – founded by three mates who started out home brewing – pours 12 rotating taps featuring core hits like the zesty Orange Goblin Pale Ale alongside cult favourites such as the Serpent’s Kiss watermelon pilsner. Adding to the charm, Fortune Pizza bakes pies with dough made from the brewery’s own yeast, best enjoyed in their neon-lit, industrial-chic bar complete with a laid-back carpeted pool room.
7. Young Henrys Craft Brewery and Tasting Bar (Newtown)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @younghenrys
A Newtown institution, Young Henrys has been pouring bold, unpretentious beers since 2012. Expect everything from hazy IPAs to their cult-loved Newtowner Pale Ale, best enjoyed shoulder-to-shoulder in their bustling tasting bar. With an ethos rooted in community, music, and sustainability, this is the Inner West brewery that truly feels like home.
8. Mountain Culture Beer Co. (Emu Plains)
Open: Thursday–Sunday
Instagram: @mountaincultureemuplains
Housed in a restored heritage building at the foot of the Blue Mountains, Mountain Culture is the perfect post-hike pit stop. Known for their juicy IPAs and adventurous limited releases, it’s a venue that attracts both beer geeks and casual sippers. With sweeping mountain views and a relaxed vibe, it’s well worth the trip west.
9. Akasha Brewing Company (Five Dock)
Open: Friday–Sunday
Instagram: @akashabrew
If hops are your love language, Akasha speaks it fluently. This Five Dock taproom focuses on hop-forward beers: think punchy IPAs, crisp pales and bold seasonal drops. It’s industrial yet warm, with long communal tables that make it easy to settle in for a few pints with mates.
10. Philter Brewing (Marrickville)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @philtermarrickville
Philter keeps things retro, with a warehouse bar decked out in 80s-style branding and neon charm. Their core range – led by the XPA that’s become a Sydney staple – is all about easy-drinking, while their small-batch experiments keep regulars on their toes.
11. One Drop Brewing (Botany)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @onedropbrewingco
Caribbean-inspired and never shy of big flavours, One Drop is Botany’s experimental gem. Fruited sours, pastry stouts, hazy hop bombs – they do it all with flair. The space itself is laid-back and leafy, with reggae on the stereo and a rotating line-up of food trucks pulling up outside.
12. Batch Brewing Co. (Marrickville)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @batchbrewingcompany
Batch lives by its name: small, ever-changing batches of beer that keep things exciting. Their tap list is always on the move, ranging from classics to daring flavour experiments. Set in a relaxed Marrickville warehouse with a friendly, community feel, it’s a place that encourages you to try something new every visit.
13. Chuck & Son's Brewing Co. (Sydenham)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @chuckandsonsbrewing
This family-run brewery brings a personal touch to the craft scene. Expect approachable beers poured in a stripped-back space that feels more like a neighbour’s garage than a commercial taproom. It’s unpretentious, inviting, and a great spot to discover small-batch releases.
14. Kicks Brewing (Marrickville)
Open: Friday–Sunday
Instagram: @kicksbrewing
Kicks is all about bold, hop-forward flavours and a stripped-back, underground aesthetic. Tucked away in Marrickville, it’s a little brewery with a lot of punch, perfect for IPA lovers and those chasing something outside the mainstream.
15. Freshwater Brewing Co. (Brookvale)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @freshwater_brewing
Sunshine, surf, and cold beer – Freshwater Brewing nails the Northern Beaches vibe. Their crisp lagers and bright summer ales are brewed with coastal living in mind, and the airy, beach-inspired taproom makes for a breezy afternoon hang.
16. BrewDog (South Eveleigh)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @brewdogsoutheveleigh
The Scottish beer giant’s Sydney outpost is as big and bold as you’d expect – 40 taps pouring BrewDog’s global hits alongside guest brews from local independents. Add in a dog-friendly policy, a stacked food menu and plenty of TVs for sport, and you’ve got a one-stop beer hall for any occasion.
17. Yulli's Brews (Alexandria)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @yullisbrews
One of the pioneers in vegan-friendly brewing, Yulli’s combines a playful sense of experimentation with approachable, sessionable beers. Their Alexandria bar is also home to live music and comedy nights, making it a go-to for nights out.
18. Wayward Brewing Co. (Camperdown)
Open: Thursday–Sunday
Instagram: @waywardbrewing
Wayward is a labyrinthine brewery bar with character to spare. Tucked beneath the streets of Camperdown, its cavernous, mural-clad interior is as memorable as its beers – which range from punchy IPAs to adventurous sours.
19. Pickled Monkey Brewing Co. (Marrickville)
Open: Tuesday–Sunday
Instagram: @pickledmonkeybrewing
Pickled Monkey leans into fun, flavour, and a touch of cheekiness. Their beers are playful yet well-crafted, often spotlighting seasonal fruits and experimental styles. It’s a relaxed and friendly taproom where the brewers themselves are often behind the bar.
20. Willie the Boatman (St Peters)
Open: Thursday–Sunday
Instagram: @willietheboatman
With beers named after local legends and a taproom full of character, Willie the Boatman embodies the Inner West’s community spirit. Expect approachable styles, hearty laughs, and a venue that feels more like a mate’s shed than a commercial brewery.
21. Sunday Road Brewing (Kirrawee)
Open: Thursday–Sunday
Instagram: @sundayroadbrewing
Inspired by road trips and coastal escapes, Sunday Road brings a relaxed, holiday energy to the Sutherland Shire. Their beers are crisp, balanced, and designed to be shared after a surf or a long day outdoors. The taproom is bright, open, and perfect for lazy afternoons.
22. Village Days Brewing Co. (Gladesville)
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Instagram: @village.days.brewingco
This suburban gem is all about community – approachable brews, a family-friendly atmosphere, and regular events that bring locals together. The beers lean classic with a modern twist, and the taproom itself feels like a laid-back neighbourhood hub.
24. 4 Pines Truck Bar (Brookvale)
Open: Every day
Instagram: @4pinestruckbar
Housed inside 4 Pines’ original brewing truck garage, this bar is the beating heart of the brand. It's industrial yet welcoming, and where you can sample their core range alongside experimental small-batch releases straight from the source. Big tables, hearty food and plenty of buzz make it a classic Northern Beaches hangout.
Feature images via Instagram.
