Trail · SydneyThe Rocks Historic Pub Trail (Dog Friendly)
The Rocks is where Sydney started, and its sandstone pubs are the oldest in the country. Two or three of them will even argue, straight faced, that they are THE oldest, each by a different technicality. Nearly all of them will pour you a beer with the dog at your feet, as long as the table is outside. This is the walk through them, north to south, with the one that takes dogs inside marked so you know where to head when the wind comes off the harbour.
Open the trail in Google Maps- 01
Start at the Irish end. The Merc has held down the corner of George Street since 1915, tiled Art Nouveau frontage and trad music most nights of the week.
Outdoor seating only, on a leash.
- 02
One of the genuine contenders for oldest pub in Sydney, licensed since 1843. Sandstone walls, a fire in winter, and a smuggling-tunnel legend in the cellar. The pub itself says dogs are always welcome, without saying how far in.
Dogs welcome, on a leash. Indoor access is not confirmed, so worth asking at the bar.
- 03
The loudest of the oldest claims: licensed since 1841 and still brewing its own beer on site, which no other pub on this walk can say. Two hundred metres west and worth the detour.
Front beer garden only, on a leash.
- 04
Famous for the rooftop and its postcard view over the Opera House. Your dog does not get up there, but the ground floor is the older, better room anyway.
Outdoor public bar on the ground floor only, on a leash.
- 05
A heritage pub with a wall of Australian beers and kangaroo on the pizzas. The best of the six for a dog: welcome in the historic main bar, not just parked outside.
Inside the main bar or at the outdoor tables. Water bowls provided.
- 06
Finish at the quiet end. A colonial-corner pub tied to the area's brewing revival, with a beer garden out the back to rest the legs after the walk.
Beer garden only. Indoor access is not confirmed, so worth asking at the bar.
Dog owner FAQs
Which pubs in The Rocks let dogs inside?
One of the six on this trail. The Australian Heritage Hotel takes dogs into the historic main bar, which after a walk around The Rocks in winter is the whole point. The rest are courtyard, beer garden or footpath only, though The Hero of Waterloo says dogs are always welcome without spelling out how far inside that runs, so it is worth asking at the bar.
Can I walk the whole Rocks pub trail with my dog?
Yes. The six pubs sit within about 600 metres of each other, running roughly north to south from The Mercantile down to Harts. Use the "Open the trail in Google Maps" button above to load the walking route with every stop as a waypoint.
Which is actually the oldest pub in The Rocks?
It depends which claim you accept. The Lord Nelson traces its licence to 1841 and bills itself as the oldest continually licensed hotel, while The Hero of Waterloo opened in 1843. Each has a technicality to stand on, which is half the fun of the walk.
Do any of them have water bowls for the dog?
The Australian Heritage Hotel keeps water bowls out. Carry your own as well, since The Rocks is exposed and the walk between the six adds up on a warm day.