George is the bird on the right!!
Just a short walk down Cowper Street from Broadway and Glebe Pt Road, The Friend in Hand looks from the outside like many other Art-Deco era pubs … is hard to find but worth the effort! Step inside, though, and what you’re confronted with is something completely other… “More a Museum, than a pub”!
Knick-Knacks and memorabilia cram every available space through the front bar, from surf-skis to model aeroplanes and signs clearly lifted from medical establishments, photographs, oil paintings and oddments fill the entire bar.
Hard to find but worth the effort
In the corner is a bird (not a 2 legged one) … It’s George the Sulphur crested Cockatoo who is the pubs PR Bird! George rules the roost at this backstreet Glebe pub. When George isn’t waddling up and down the bar ruffling his feathers and cracking open lemon seeds or resting on the shoulders of the pub’s regulars, he’s got his own massive branch to perch on in the corner of the room.The Friend in Hand is the original Sydney bar – there are more taxidermied animal heads, old street signs and countless other bits of weirdness than you can point a stick at.
And best of all, the beers aren’t $9 apiece. They keep their lines in pristine nick here, so expect crisp-and-cold schooners of Reschs, Coopers, Old and Fat Yak. There’s Bulmer’s on tap too for all you cider lovers out there.
The Friend has all the usual pub trappings you’d expect from an early opener (doors swing at 8am Monday-Friday) including pokies and a TAB and pool tables, but they also host a bunch of events you’re unlikely to find in other Sydney pubs.
What more could you want?
The friend in hand has many function options available, from work functions to 21st, Bucks and Hens nights we can cover it all. There are various rooms available for any sized function and the catering options are top notch. We have pool tables in the upstairs bar and an area for Dj’s to set up all their gear.
Click here for more info
We are a unique pub\bistro situated in a venue that has a 175 years of history. ‘Justin’ our New Chef will cater to all dietary and food requirements … The aim is to appeal to a large variety of palettes. The bistro-Complete with fireplace to get toasty in front of during winter and plenty of outdoor areas to cool off in Summer.
Get ready for a food explosion to rock your worlds!!
New and exciting entertainment every Wednesday night. It involves a bucket of hermit crabs, a sheet of numbered stickers and no end of thirsty and raucous punters. You’ll Love it. Sponsored by Carlton.
What they say…
“Awesome fun at the Crab Racing bring your sense of humour though. I got saturated all the boys could see everthing, had an awesome night. Will definately be back again” -sarah (www.eatability.com.au)
A Mic in Hand began in 2003 as the brainchild of Sydney comedians Kent Valentine and Sam Bowring, as a way of providing up-and-coming comedians with a friendly and supportive environment to hone their craft. a Mic in Hand @ The Friend in Hand Hotel (the Sydney venue) has always been, and still remains one the most sought after comedy venues in Australia for both comedians and punters alike. Click to see who’s on this week
This is Sydney’s premier regular and enduring poetry / spoken word event, providing open mike opportunities for voices directly from the Sydney community plus a high-energy poetry slam every month in addition to a featured poet or two.
Click here to see who’s reading this Month
E
veryone should experience Life Drawing during their life time and get that artistic flow going. The perfect place to do it is the world famous Friend in Hand Pub where professional artists conduct classes friendly classes