Established in 1857, The Dry Dock has been a much-loved community cornerstone for over 169 years. This timeless venue welcomes you with a stylish Public Bar, comfortable Outdoor Dining Courtyard, premium Sports Lounge, refined Lounge Bar, and destination ‘One Hat’ Dining Room with an award winning 546 plus bottle wine list, champagne, and cocktail list to match. Accompanied by warm, welcoming service focused on our guests, this is a place to escape seven days a week.
BEST WINE LIST – WINNER
Honoured to win the ‘Best Wine List” award at the Australian Liquor Industry Awards 2025 ceremony. In addition to being recognised with two ‘Highly Commended’ in the categories of ’Best Pub Dining’ and ‘Best Hotel’.
BEST RESTAURANT – WINNER
Celebrating excellence in hospitality at the prestigious Australian Hotelier NSW 2025 Awards Ceremony. The Dry Dock was honoured to win the ‘Best Restaurant’ Award. Sincere thanks and gratitude to AHA NSW for this recognition.
BEST PUB WINE LIST RUNNER UP
The Dry Dock was named runner up in the Best Pub Wine List category at the 2025 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards ceremony, another wonderful national recognition for the second consecutive year in a row.
BEST WINE LIST WINNER
Winning for the second year in a row the ‘Australia’s Choice – Best Wine List Award’ at the 2025 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards ceremony. Enormous thanks to our community and QF Travel Magazine for awarding The Dry Dock as the people’s choice.
3 GLASSES AWARD WINNER
Proud to be awarded the prestigious ’Three Glasses’ award – the highest wine list rating at the 2025 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards ceremony for a second year in a row. This award celebrates the quality, breadth, and balance of our list.
PUB OF THE YEAR – WINNER
“The Dry Dock doesn’t feel too slick for its own good either, largely thanks to an engaged floor team, dog-friendly attitude and a public bar that’s comfortable full most nights” – Read the review on our ‘Pub of The Year” win!
Awarded One Hat
Awarded ‘One Hat’ at the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide 2026 Awards Ceremony. The Dry Dock is proud to have returned a Hat to the Inner West’s Peninsula community and recognised in Australia’s’ unrivalled annual dining guide.
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.
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.
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.
Our vibrant outdoor setting provides a relaxed drinking and dining experience throughout the day and into the evening. Large, canvas umbrellas offer shade during the day, while heaters, warm blankets, and amber lamps, create cosy, ambient lighting for evening dining, classic cocktails, wine by the glass, premium spirits, or your beer of choice. The perfect space to eat, drink and gather all season long.
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.
HAPPY HOURS – MONDAY to FRIDAY
From 3.30pm to 5.30pm Monday through to Friday, you can enjoy your favourite beverages at Happy Hour prices – Tap Beer (Schooners) $8, House Spirits $8, Wine by The Glass $10, Aperol Spritz $15, Classic Cocktails $16.
*Public House only, selected cocktails, wine & tap beer. Not available on public holidays/special events.
LATE NIGHT COCKTAIL HAPPY HOUR
The Not So Dry Dock Late Night Cocktail Happy Hour features your favourite classic cocktails, including Espresso Martinis, Lychee Martinis, Margarita’s, and Daiquiri’s all for $16. Enjoy live DJ sets and great tunes from 7pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
*Public House only. Conditions apply – not available on public holidays/special events.
BYO YOUR FAVOURITE BOTTLE IN THE DINING ROOM
Balmain’s Best BYO is here! Do you have a bottle you have been waiting to enjoy? BYO reservations are now available for both Lunch and Dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays. Dine à la carte in The Dining Room with your drop of choice. Get set to dust off that special bottle and enjoy escaping in our beautiful dining room both day and night.
*Dining Room only, not available on public holidays/special events. Corkage applies.
AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025
The Dry Dock won two prestigious awards at Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. For the second year running, we received the ‘Australia’s Choice Award 2025’ for Best Wine List (as voted for by the public nationally); in addition to retaining our ‘3 Glasses’ the highest wine list rating.
We invite you to come and discover our 470 plus bottle list, including 37 wines by the glass.
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.
WINTER MENU – SEASONAL PRODUCE
Winter brings comforting, hearty flavours, vibrant produce, and seasonal creations.
Showcasing the best local ingredients and our Josper charcoal grill, our dishes strike the perfect balance between refinement and delicious flavours that welcome in the best of the season.
Join us in the Dining Room to enjoy our a la carte menu, or the Public House to discover our expansive bar menu, available seven days a week until late.
HAPPY HOURS – MONDAY to FRIDAY
From 3.30pm to 5.30pm Monday through to Friday, you can enjoy your favourite beverages at Happy Hour prices – Tap Beer (Schooners) $8, House Spirits $8, Wine by The Glass $10, Aperol Spritz $15, Classic Cocktails $16.
*Public House only, selected cocktails, wine & tap beer. Not available on public holidays/special events.
LATE NIGHT COCKTAIL HAPPY HOUR
The Not So Dry Dock Late Night Cocktail Happy Hour features your favourite classic cocktails, including Espresso Martinis, Lychee Martinis, Margarita’s, and Daiquiri’s all for $16. Enjoy live DJ sets and great tunes from 7pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
*Public House only. Conditions apply – not available on public holidays/special events.
BYO YOUR FAVOURITE BOTTLE IN THE DINING ROOM
Balmain’s Best BYO is here! Do you have a bottle you have been waiting to enjoy? BYO reservations are now available for both Lunch and Dinner on Mondays and Tuesdays. Dine à la carte in The Dining Room with your drop of choice. Get set to dust off that special bottle and enjoy escaping in our beautiful dining room both day and night.
*Dining Room only, not available on public holidays/special events. Corkage applies.
AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2025
The Dry Dock won two prestigious awards at Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. For the second year running, we received the ‘Australia’s Choice Award 2025’ for Best Wine List (as voted for by the public nationally); in addition to retaining our ‘3 Glasses’ the highest wine list rating.
We invite you to come and discover our 470 plus bottle list, including 37 wines by the glass.
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.
WINTER MENU – SEASONAL PRODUCE
Winter brings comforting, hearty flavours, vibrant produce, and seasonal creations.
Showcasing the best local ingredients and our Josper charcoal grill, our dishes strike the perfect balance between refinement and delicious flavours that welcome in the best of the season.
Join us in the Dining Room to enjoy our a la carte menu, or the Public House to discover our expansive bar menu, available seven days a week until late.
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 Hotel wins a Hat!
“Comfort-first pub that’s a bit too nice to wear thongs.”
14TH OCTOBER 2025
“Pub of the Year. A new award recognising a quintessential pub – new or old – that’s embedded in its community.”
14TH OCTOBER 2025
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards 2025. Australia’s Choice Award.
29TH SEPTEMBER 2025
“The just-launched spring menu adds a fresh touch to a dining room that shines in winter.”
14TH OCTOBER 2025
“Balmain’s 156-year-old pub jewel the Dry Dock is back with a crack team and ex-Felix chef.”
28TH NOVEMBER 2023
“Balmain’s 150-year-old boozer The Dry Dock Is back and better than ever!”
6TH JANUARY 2024
“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’ve kept our Lounge Bar, Public Bar, Outdoor Dining area and Sports Lounge exclusively for walk-ins (no reservation required) to ensure our community can drop in any time they’d like for drinks, delicious bar snacks, bistro classics and hearty meals from our extensive bar menu, which is available seven days a week, until late.
For our Dining Room where you can enjoy our full-la carte menu 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.
To make a reservation in our Dining Room please book online.
Our office is open from 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday, our friendly team are happy to assist all reservation and general enquiries.
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. We do recommend making a reservation for The Dining Room to ensure you secure your preferred dining time.
No reservations are required to drink and dine in our Public House areas – Lounge Bar, Public Bar, Outdoor Dining area and 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.
Our a la carte menu is available to be enjoyed in our Dining Room only, please book online to secure your preferred reservation time. Walk-in guests are always welcome, subject to availability. The Dining Room is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Our Bar Menu is available to be ordered throughout The Public House areas which include our Lounge Bar, Public Bar, Sports Lounge & Outdoor Dining Courtyard. The Public House is walk-in only, no reservation required. Enjoy all day and night dining seven days a week, including a late-night bar menu, all of which can be ordered from the bar.
The Dry Dock Public House and Dining Room is proud to have been awarded ‘One Hat’ in the Sydney Morning Herald, Good Food Guide. All menus are created and executed by the same kitchen team, and driven by quality, seasonal produce, flavoured over fire from our Josper Charcoal and Woodfire Oven.
Office hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm.
The Dry Dock is a fully licensed venue; however, we are pleased to offer BYO reservations for both Lunch and Dinner service on Monday’s and Tuesdays. Dine à la carte in The Dining Room with your drop of choice. Get set to dust off that special bottle and enjoy escaping in our beautiful dining room both day and night for BYO Mondays and Tuesdays!
*Conditions apply –
- BYO is not available on public holidays/special events.
- BYO is strictly for dining reservations in The Dining Room on Mondays and Tuesdays only.
- A per bottle corkage does apply to all BYO bookings.
- Please note that our BYO offer is not available in the Public House areas.
Yes, The Dry Dock has two of Balmain’s best Happy Hour offers!
HAPPY HOURS – 3:30pm to 5:30pm – MONDAY TO FRIDAY
From 3:30pm to 5:30pm Monday through to Friday in The Public House, you can enjoy selected beverages at Happy Hour prices – Tap Beer (Schooners) $8, House Spirits $8, Wine by the Glass $10, Aperol Spritz $15 and Classic Cocktails $16.
LATE NIGHT COCKTAIL HAPPY HOUR – 9pm to 10pm – THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS
Our Late-Night Cocktail Happy Hour features four of your favourite classic cocktails, including Espresso Martinis, Lychee Martinis, Margarita’s, and Daiquiri’s all for $16 from 9pm to 10pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Enjoy live DJ sets and great tunes from 7pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings in The Public House.
*TERMS & CONDITIONS
Happy Hour is only available in The Public House areas, not The Dining Room. Includes selected tap beer (schooners), wine, cocktails and spirits only. Happy Hour is not available on Public Holidays, or special dates such as, Melbourne Cup, New Year’s Eve, and any other significant dates.
We have 16 products on tap, including:
Carlton Draught Lager 4.6%
Reschs Draught Lager 4.9%
Hahn SuperDry 4.6%
Hawke’s Lager 4.2%
Yulli’s Mediterranean Lager 4.2%
Stone & Wood Green Coast Crisp Lager 3.5%
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 5%
Asahi Japanese Lager 5%
Mountain Culture Cult IPA 6.2%
Balter Hazy IPA 6%
Balter XPA 5%
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale 4.4%
Coopers Original Pale Ale 4.5%
Hawke’s Patio Pale Ale 4.5%
Guinness 4.2%
Kilkenny 4.3%
*Beers on tap may be subject to change
Yes, located 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, while enjoying a drink, bar snacks 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.
All your favourite sports are on ‘Live & Loud’ in the Sports Lounge.
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 10am – 5pm for assistance.
The Dry Dock has a style of it’s own, and generally no decorations are permitted.
However, if you have a specific request that you wish to discuss; please contact our office Monday-Friday 10am-5pm at either info@thedrydock.com.au or (02) 9555 1306.
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 welcome well-behaved dogs in our Public House areas. Dogs must remain on a lead and on the ground at all times.
Dogs are not permitted in our Dining Room.
Yes, we have a limited number of highchairs available.
The Dry Dock is family friendly, and yes, we have a Kids Menu available in all areas of the venue. Simply ask our team when in venue, or view our website to see all menus online.
Also fun for kids is beautiful Mort Bay Park which 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 minors are not permitted within the tiled area surrounding the bars.
Yes, there is a designated smoking area located outside on the College St side of the venue with a bin to safely dispose of cigarette butts.
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!
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.
