Established in 1857, The Dry Dock has been a much-loved community cornerstone for over 166 years. Following a milestone transformation in 2023, this timeless neighbourhood local welcomes you with a classic Public Bar, premium Sports Lounge, a refined and comfortable Lounge Bar, and destination Dining Room with an award winning 400 bottle wine list, helmed by seasoned Chef, Ben Sitton.
Established in 1857, The Dry Dock has been a much-loved community cornerstone for over 166 years. Following a milestone transformation in 2023, this timeless neighbourhood local welcomes you with a classic Public Bar, premium Sports Lounge, a refined and comfortable Lounge Bar, and destination Dining Room with an award winning 400 bottle wine list, helmed by seasoned Chef, Ben Sitton.
Always welcoming, the Public Bar is a place you can spend a lot of time in — classic, comfortable with 16 pours on tap. Wind down over our expansive list of beer, wine, premium spirits and classic cocktails. Enjoy our contemporary bistro menu served at the bar, or at one of our leather banquettes and tables. Watch live sports, listen to great music or just while away the hours enjoying the escape of the everyday.
Enter a charming space, relaxed and airy, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, plush leather booths and a classic chesterfield in front of our double fronted wood burning fireplace. The Lounge Bar takes you from sunlit days to cosy, intimate evenings offering a bar menu of delicious bistro classics, fine wine and classic cocktails, accompanied by great music and a sense of escape.
At the helm of The Dry Dock kitchen is Head Chef, Ben Sitton, whose passion and expertise is evident in every dish delivered. Discover our Dining Room, a modern European bistro and grill with French provenance. The menu is driven by quality produce and flavoured over fire from our Josper Charcoal Grill and Oven with an expansive wine, champagne, and cocktail list to match. Serving lunch and dinner daily, this beautiful room is flooded with natural light by day, warm and luminous by night. Featuring an open kitchen, sit-up oyster bar, semiprivate dining room and a feature floor-to-ceiling glass wall with views onto a lush green courtyard garden.
Nestled off to the side of the Public Bar, our Sports Lounge has been designed with comfort in mind — where you can have a punt or watch your favourite game. This intimate space features a large screen video wall, TAB facilities and Live Sports backed by a state-of-the-art sound system. Set to the backdrop of low leather banquettes, comfortable club chairs and our classic bar menu is available anytime.
LATE NIGHT COCKTAIL HAPPYHOUR
From 9-10pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Not So Dry Dock Late Night Cocktail Happy Hour features your favourite classic cocktails, including Espresso Martinis, Tommy’s Margaritas, and Cosmopolitans all for $15. On Friday & Saturday evenings, live DJ set from 7pm until midnight.
*Public House only. Conditions apply – not available on public holidays/special events.
HAPPYHOURS – MON, TUES, WED
From 3.30pm to 5.30pm early week, enjoy your favourite beverages at Happy Hour prices – Tap Beer (Schooners) $7, Premium House Spirits $8, Wine by The Glass $10, Aperol Spritz $12, Classic Cocktails $15.
*Public House only. Conditions apply – not available on public holidays/special events.
LIVE SPORTS & TAB FACILITIES
Enjoy watching live sports action in the comfort of the Sports Lounge. Our Sports Schedule always keeps you updated with what’s on. TAB and EBT facilities available to place your lucky punt. Enjoy delicious bistro classics and snacks from our Bar Menu available from 12pm until late seven days a week.
AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2024
The Dry Dock has won two prestigious awards at Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. We are very proud to have taken home the ‘Australia’s Choice Award 2024’ for best wine list, as voted for by the public nationally. In addition to being awarded “3 Glasses” the highest wine list rating. We invite you to come and discover our 400 plus bottle list, including 28 wines by the glass.
Our menus can change regularly due to availability of seasonal produce and our ever rotating list of wines. Thank you for your understanding.
The Dry Dock, established in 1857, has stood as a cornerstone of the local community for generations.
As the oldest continually licensed pub in Balmain, an area famed for its pub culture, The Dry Dock originally serviced the workers of Mort Dock which was the first dry dock built in Australia and the birthplace of the nation’s maritime industry. Now known as Mort Bay Park, we are located directly opposite this heritage listed harbourside park and only moments to the Balmain Ferry Wharf (Thames St Ferry) which is a short 10-minute ferry ride from Sydney’s Circular Quay and CBD.
Our historic location has lived through many chapters and welcomed young and old, through countless generations, over a pint and a well-earned meal. In 2023, local proprietors Peninsula Hospitality set their hearts on restoring this much-loved pub to better days, to ensure its place in the community for decades to come. With great care and consideration, The Dry Dock has undergone a transformative renovation to create “a home away from home” for locals and visitors alike. We are proud to be a part of The Dry Dock’s long journey and are focused on delivering a warm, welcoming, fun, and quality hospitality experience, something we believe is the essence of every great pub.
The Dry Dock, established in 1857, has stood as a cornerstone of the local community for generations.
As the oldest continually licensed pub in Balmain, an area famed for its pub culture, The Dry Dock originally serviced the workers of Mort Dock which was the first dry dock built in Australia and the birthplace of the nation’s maritime industry. Now known as Mort Bay Park, we are located directly opposite this heritage listed harbourside park and only moments to the Balmain Ferry Wharf (Thames St Ferry) which is a short 10-minute ferry ride from Sydney’s Circular Quay and CBD.
Our historic location has lived through many chapters and welcomed young and old, through countless generations, over a pint and a well-earned meal. In 2023, local proprietors Peninsula Hospitality set their hearts on restoring this much-loved pub to better days, to ensure its place in the community for decades to come. With great care and consideration, The Dry Dock has undergone a transformative renovation to create “a home away from home” for locals and visitors alike. We are proud to be a part of The Dry Dock’s long journey and are focused on delivering a warm, welcoming, fun, and quality hospitality experience, something we believe is the essence of every great pub.
“Balmain’s 150-year-old boozer The Dry Dock Is back and better than ever!”
6TH JANUARY 2024
“Balmain’s 156-year-old pub jewel the Dry Dock is back with a crack team and ex-Felix chef.”
28TH NOVEMBER 2023
“Where to sit, what to order: The inside scoop on Balmain’s hottest new (old) pub.”
7TH DECEMBER 2023
“The Historic Corner Pub, est. 1857 – is being revitalised with a former Rockpool and Felix chef leading the kitchen.”
28TH NOVEMBER 2023
We’re always on the lookout for experienced and passionate people to join our team, both front of house and back of house, in the kitchen and behind the bar.
A minimum 3+ years’ experience in a similar role is preferable. Send your CV and cover letter to careers@thedrydock.com.au and we’ll be in touch!
Yes, nestled off to the side of the Public Bar, our Sports Lounge has been designed with comfort in mind — where you can have a punt, watch your favourite game, or enjoy a drink and a hearty meal. This intimate, air-conditioned space features a large screen TV video wall, TAB facilities and Live Sports backed by a state-of-the-art sound system, leather banquettes and comfortable club chairs and tables. All you need to do is sit back and relax.
Please note, minors under the age of 18 are not permitted in the Sports Lounge.
We have 16 products on tap, including:
Victoria Bitter
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
Carlton Draught Lager
Reschs Blonde Lager
Balter XPA
Hawke’s Lager
White Bay Lager
Yullis Mediterranean Lager
Hawkes Patio Pale Ale
Coopers Pale Ale
Peroni
Asahi Japanese Lager
Guinness
Aether Ginger Beer
Stone & Wood Green Coast Crisp Lager
Hahn Superdry
*Beers on tap may be subject to change
Unfortunately, not, as we are here for the community. However, feel free to contact our team for other alternate suggestions.
Yes we do, our Lounge Bar has a beautiful wood burning double fronted fireplace. Enjoy a cosy seat in front of a roaring fire from our leather chesterfield couch, or on the other side from our comfortable and cosy leather booths for two.
We sure do, the venue is air conditioned throughout.
Yes, our beautiful semi-private dining room is the perfect place to host your gathering, adjacent to the main Dining Room. It seats 14 people comfortably, featuring tranquil garden views just beyond our floor to ceiling glass wall and enjoys the buzz of our main Dining Room atmosphere. Reach out to our reservations team to make it yours. Please email or call 02 9555 1306 Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm for assistance.
No, The Dry Dock is a fully licensed venue and BYO is not permitted.
Cakeage fee applies, please contact the venue for further information.
There are a range of menu items which can be modified to accommodate dietary requirements. Please speak with our staff on the day for further guidance and information.
Important – Our menu contains allergens and is prepared in a kitchen that handles nuts, shellfish, and gluten. Whilst all reasonable effects are taken to accommodate guest dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that our food will be allergen free.
Yes, all areas of the venue are wheelchair accessible. Please ask our venue staff for assistance.
Yes, the accessible bathroom is located off the Lounge Bar.
Yes, the baby change table is located in our accessible bathroom, located off the Lounge Bar.
Yes, we have a limited number of highchairs available.
The Dry Dock is family friendly, and yes, we have a kid’s menu available. Simply ask our team when in venue, or click on this link to view the menu online – add link to kids menu.
Beautiful Mort Bay Park (right next to Balmain Ferry Wharf) is located directly opposite the pub on our Cameron St side and has an amazing children’s playground. Let the kids enjoy a play, while you take in stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then head into the Dry Dock for a well-deserved beverage and meal.
Yes, children and guests under 18 yrs are welcome in our Public Bar, Lounge Bar and Dining Room areas but MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over 25yrs at all times.
By law the areas that minors are not permitted is our Sports Lounge, or within the tiled area surrounding the bars.
The Dry Dock is located 350m (2 blocks) from Darling St Balmain.
The Balmain Ferry Wharf, also known as Thames St Ferry, is located 350m from The Dry Dock, on historic and picturesque Mort Bay Park and only a few easy minutes’ stroll through the park to the pub.
Ferries operate regularly from Circular Quay to Balmain Ferry Wharf (9min ride) and from Woolwich Wharf and Greenwich Point Ferry Wharf in the other direction.
Please note, don’t go to East Balmain Ferry, this is not close.
Yes, there is ample free street car parking along Cameron street, College street and other surrounding streets to the venue.
To make a reservation in our Dining Room please book online. Or call our office on 02 9555 1306. Our office is open from 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday.
The Dining Room always welcomes walk-in guests; however, they are subject to availability. Please speak to our team when in venue and they can check availability.
No reservations are required to drink and dine in our Lounge Bar, Public Bar or Sports Lounge. These areas are kept available for walk-in guests and to ensure our community can drop in any time they’d like for beverage or a hearty meal from our bar menu. Seating subject to availability.
We’ve kept our Lounge Bar, Public Bar and Sports Lounge exclusively for walk-ins (no reservation required) to ensure our community can drop in any time they’d like for a pint or a hearty meal from our Bar Menu.
For our Dining Room where you can enjoy a full-la carte dining experience, we do recommend booking via our online reservations link. However, if you do decide to walk-in – we’ll still do our best to seat you. Simply let one of our Dining Room team know and they can check availability for you.
