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From big screens by the Nepean River to free face-painting and fire pits in Richmond, here’s the pick of the Sydney bars, breweries and pubs screening the grand final.
Rugby league fans are set to score on food and drink specials this Sunday, when the Penrith Panthers take on the Brisbane Broncos at the NRL grand final.
As venues compete for large crowds of spectators, match screenings will run the gamut from raucous home turf parties with half-price jugs of beer, to family-friendly gatherings with free face painting and fire pits.
“Penrith is a hive of activity … there [have] been plenty of locals wearing their jerseys,” says Matt Betteridge, general manager of The Log Cabin. The riverside pub has been gearing up to welcome home-ground supporters.
“The whole town [is] anticipating a big win on Sunday.”
Here’s our pick of the places to catch the game, from Penrith and beyond.
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The Log Cabin, Penrith
This breezy riverside pub has been buzzing all week in the lead-up to the grand final. The match will be live and loud on the big outdoor screen, with DJs playing beforehand and plenty of drinks specials (including $19 jugs of select beers, mini beer kegs to share from $85, and buckets of Balter cerveza from $30). There will be plenty of footy staples like crispy chicken wings and steak sandwiches.
20 Memorial Avenue, Penrith; thelogcabin.com.au
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Harbord Hotel, Freshwater
With the temperature predicted to hit a high of 34 degrees on Sunday, the Harbord Hotel is a handy three-minute walk from Freshwater Beach. Once you’ve finished your swim, head over to the stylishly refurbished pub to watch the footy on the big screen. There’ll be Doozy bucket specials (low-carb drinks from Sydney Swans lads Ollie Floren and Will Hayward) from $30 and a seafood-heavy menu with lobster rolls, wood-fired barramundi and raw tuna tostadas.
29 Moore Road, Freshwater; harbordhotel.com.au
The Carrington, Surry Hills
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If your dog has its own NRL jersey, this is the pub for you. On Sunday, there’s a competition for best-dressed super fan and dog combo, with the winner awarded a $50 gift voucher. The game will be live on the TVs in the main room of the pub, and pints of Bondi Beer will be going for $10 for the duration of the match. If you’ve worked up an appetite afterward, tuck into the weekly Carrington lamb roast, with vegetables and house-made Yorkshire pudding ($32).
565 Bourke St, Surry Hills; thecarringtonsydney.com
Drink West, Penrith
The atmosphere will be electric at Drink West, a Penrith brewery part-owned by Panthers star Nathan Cleary. The game will be screened in the brewpub, where they’re pouring a wide range of home turf beers like the smooth Drink West lager and the popular oat cream XPA. Before the game, there’ll be live music to get the party started. Bookings recommended.
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2115 Castlereagh Rd, Penrith; drinkwest.com.au
Philter, Marrickville
If you need a solid feed while watching the grand final, head to Philter’s public bar in Marrickville. The game is screening downstairs where you can order from a menu of pub classics like steak and stout pie, chicken schnitty and gravy-smothered chips (plus some local flavour, like a cracking mezze platter). The bar pours all the Philter classics, like the Henson Park draught and hazy pale ale. Bookings recommended.
92-98 Sydenham Road, Marrickville; philterbrewing.com
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Taffy’s at The Oaks, Neutral Bay
Designed as the ultimate sports bar, Taffy’s features plenty of pre-match activities like arcade-style basketball hoops and an eight-person foosball table. The food is American-style, with hot dogs, fried chicken and cheeseburgers; and BX Lager jugs are going for just $19. On Sunday, the game will play live on the big screen, and there’s a stunning outdoor garden for a post-match debrief.
118 Military Road, Neutral Bay; oakshotel.com.au
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Coogee Pavilion, Coogee
There’s a big screen and a big ocean view at Coogee Pavilion, where the final will be played live and loud on the ground-floor screens from 7.30pm. Punters can select from a seafood-forward menu of Mediterranean dishes (think mussels, snapper ceviche and barramundi in a vermouth and orange butter sauce), and schooners of Hahn super dry will be pouring for just $8.
Ground floor, 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee; merivale.com.au
The Richmond Inn, Richmond
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This is the go-to spot for watching the game with the family on Sunday. It will be screening (live and loud) on the big screen in their lush, fairy-lit beer garden. Grab a spot by the fire pit, order a $25 Sunday roast, and get the kids’ faces painted for free (they also eat free, all day). Plus, for the adults there are $15 jugs of tap beer on sale until half-time.
90 March Street, Richmond; richmondinn.com.au
The Lord Gladstone, Chippendale
The game is screening live, loud and with commentary at the charmingly grungy Lord Gladstone. Expect a lively atmosphere, plenty of pub dogs and some solid meal options for under $30 (including LP’s Quality Meats’ smoked bangers and mash with caramelised onion and house-made gravy for $24). Bonus, there are some well-priced drops from local winemakers Doom Juice behind the bar. Bookings recommended.
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115 Regent Street, Chippendale; lordgladstone.com.au
Ritz Cinema, Randwick
For a different viewing experience head to beautiful art deco cinema Ritz, where they’ll screen the match for free on the big screen. Bookings are necessary, via their website, and doors open at 7pm. Arrive early for a drink at the balcony bar, where there’s a great view over the main street of Randwick and an extensive selection of beer and wine (sourced exclusively from NSW producers).
45 St. Pauls Street, Randwick; ritzcinemas.com.au
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