Sydney's best Irish pubs
Many Australians have some Irish in them. Here's where to find some in case you don't. Slainte!
The barman pulls don another VB in celebration of Irish/Australian relations
Sydney's Irish pubs are a serious matter. Whether you're in it for the music, the decor or the beer, these are places to be spending St Pat's. Fiddle dee dee, potatoes.
Out at Tempe is one of Sydney's leading Irish pubs in terms of folk music (they've had modern Irish music greats Lunasa and Andy Irvine pass through their doors to play) and some very good Irish pub food (read: everything's curried). This St Pat's they'll be making it a weekend affair with live bands Sunday and Monday and for the kids there'll be a petting zoo, face painting and a jumping castle. And for the adults, Irish karaoke (we're seeing a night of the Pogues and Enya). There are also regular sessions on Sundays and Irish dancing for all you fanatics of stiffly jumping up and down in a line.
Tempe
You'll find them inside the beautiful old Grace complex (the Irish ambassador spent some time living above it) where you can watch the Rugby finals and of course, spend St Patrick's there. They're putting on a special 7am St Patrick's day feed with a hot Irish breakfast (the real thing, with black pudding and fried eggs) and a pint of Guinness or glass of wine. In Ireland, Guinness is still made available to blood donors and stomach and intestinal post-operative patients as it's known to be high in iron content. There was even a time when nursing mothers were encouraged to drink it but this was before fetal alcohol syndrome (alcohol had been discovered to pass in mothers milk causing slow development in newborns and toddlers).
Sydney
Brendan Behan was asked by Guinness to come up with an advertising slogan. As part of his payment he received half a dozen kegs of stout. After a month, the company wanted to know what he'd come up with to which he replied after drinking all six kegs, "Guinness makes you drunk". Take in Monday morning on St Pat's for the all-day breakfast and stay into the evenings and craic (geddit?) some floorboards dancing to the bush and Irish bands that'll be playing all day. These guys aren't so much about wearing their county on their sleeve in terms of décor but the place is packed with Irish people here constantly and the big all-wood bar is a stunner.
Sydney
Built to accommodate the ranks from the Victoria barracks, it's been going since 1854. Another great one for trad Irish music, folks come from all over the shop with their fiddles, guitars, and tin whistles to play here and Sunday afternoons are the time to see it happen. They've got a great selection of beers on tap - Guinness (duh), Kronenburg, Bulmers and Kilkenny to name a few - as well as bottled Magners cider and Irish soft drinks. Take a seat in the scarlet leather booths out the back or perch at the shining brass and wooden bar out front.
Paddington
Prop up the rosewood bar with a pint - though the main view is on to Victoria Road, inside is enough to keep you occupied. Sink back with a single malt whisky or a soothing ale. This St Pat's kicks of with a roving fiddler, Irish dancing galore and $5.50 pints of Guinness all day.
Drumoyne
