‘During the first World War all bars had a 6.00pm curfew, so men would rush over after work, drink as much as they could and head home drunk before dinner.’ Almost one hundred years on and as though time stood still, the history and spirit of the Yardhouse continues to radiate and attract visitors near and far.

While some of the Bar and Brasserie’s 125 year history may be plastered over by newly renovated walls and contemporary interior design, the spot on the corner of George St and Hay St in Sydney continues to host classical elements that draw men and women alike in for a pint or two of beer.

Divided into five sections, the Yardhouse experience starts at the George Street entrance. Welcoming you to the property is the jazz influenced Palace Bar. A spacious and inviting section of the property, the Palace Bar was designed to appeal and attract locals, particularly those looking to test-out the bar’s 60 various types of beer on tab and bottle.

Connected to the Palace Bar, is the Middle Bar. Seating only 18 patrons, the Middle Bar offers an intimate space for small parties or patrons looking to escape the bustle of Sydney.

Walking through the smaller Middle Bar guests will end up in the contemporary Brasserie. Seating up to 118 people, the large space is definitely the heart of the bar. Similarly to the Palace Bar, the Brasserie is decorated in heritage-style furnishing but with a hint of darkness, through darker timbers.

As well as offering the Bar’s alcoholic specialities the Brasserie is also home to the Yardhouse’s all day/night menu. More on food later.

New to the location, the Yardhouse has added an all new downstairs seating area for live music. Monday night’s the downstairs scene invites Reggae bands to take the stage while Friday and Saturday nights are dedicated to a more rock sounds, to attract weekend crowds.

And for the smokers, the Yardhouse also has George St and Hay St seating where you can enjoy your beer, a ciggie, some food and the sight of people as they scurry through the streets of Sydney.

Aside from what seems to be a never-ending choice of alcoholic beverages, the Yardhouse is also home to some of Sydney’s best dishes, designed by award winning Daniel Collins.

Splitting its menus into four to cater to guests dining in various sections of the property, the Yardhouse has; the Yardhouse Menu, Yardhouse All Day Bar Menu, Yardhouse Brasserie Menu and Theatre Menu.

The bar’s dining hours commence from 12.00pm to 3.00pm Monday to Friday and dinner from 6.00pm while from midday until late guests can enjoy food from the Brasserie menu. 

From the Brasserie menu, patrons can choose to dine on exquisite salads including the divine prawn and haloumi salade with watermelon and cracked wheat.

For the mains guests can choose from the bar’s house specialty skewers including chicken, thai prawn and Moroccan lamb while my recommended dish is the beer battered flathead with tomato and white beans for something uniquely familiar.

Completing the socialising, drinking and dining experience, you can’t go without testing the Yardhouse chocolate brownie with orange, pistachio and vanilla ice cream.

Yummy.

Next time you are passing through Sydney’s city be sure to check out Yardhouse Bar and Brasserie for a wide variety of foods, a never-ending selection of alcoholic beverages and a range of rooms to suit your every mood.