The London Hotel
Editorial
Not many pubs in Sydney can boast Collette Dinnigan and Tigerlily as their neighbours and still be a main destination for leather elbowed rugby fans. The London is a great example of an old pub successfully bridging the gap between its working-class history and the recent gentrification of its surrounds.
The nicely presented main bar gives a dueling view of the beautiful Paddo people strutting past as well as rugby on the big screen. This is best done with a cold Hoegaarden or the criminally hard to find Coopers Dark Ale, both off the tap. The wine list sees most Australian states represented in every style, and surprisingly includes both reds and whites from the ACT and Tasmania. There's usually a talkative buzzy crowd of locals watching a game on the weekends, and the same goes for trivia on Monday nights and the $14 pizza and beer/vino deal on Tuesdays.
In the rear you'll find a recently renovated comfortable courtyard with retractable roof, and a bistro with a very appealing menu, with mains around the $20 mark. The London has long had an excellent reputation for a quality feed and this may best be sampled before a short walk over to a Waratahs game at the SFS. In short, a great venue for a pre (or post) match gathering.
But the secret appeal of the London is to be found upstairs. If you require an inner-city venue to host a small gathering in stylish surrounds, you can stop looking. A maze of beautifully furnished function rooms await on the upper level. If your party demands a pool table, armchairs, couches and cushions for 15, big screen TVs, leopard skin rugs or even ornamental stuffed ducks, the London will certainly provide.
Blake Williamson, April 2008
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Blake
October 10, 2008
Hi, my review was referring to the London in Paddington. But the London in Balmain is an excellent place too!
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