Watch the footy finals at these Sydney pubs

The Woollahra Hotel exudes clean, crisp art deco cool – ideal for a relaxed catch-up with friends in this beautiful Sydney suburb. Think easy listening, smooth dance music in the background while you watch the latest League match or chat with a close friend or two.

The menu from head chef Jordan Muhamad will keep you well fuelled and includes pub standard burgers and steaks alongside Asian inspired entrees, salads and mains, with a definite lean towards seafood.

If you want to settle in for a long afternoon and level up from a culinary point of view, walk through the sliding porthole entry to Bistro Moncur next door for excellent French-inspired cuisine.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Hiramasa kingfish sashimi ($19)

If you are looking for warmth, atmosphere, live sport, hearty food and a fine range of craft beers in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, go no further than The Lord Dudley.

The 1898 Lord Dudley feels like an English-style pub in Sydney, not a pub in Sydney trying to be an English pub. Picture royal red carpet, framed pictures above a wrap-around bar, (many) craft beers on tap, fireplaces and dark timber.

The menu is big on pasta, steak and burgers. For the English and Scottish influence look out for Scotch egg, Yorkshire pudding and Sunday roasts. There’s also some Spanish and Italian dishes thrown in, but you’ll know you’re in Sydney when you land the Sydney rock oysters or the Prawn linguine.

This is a pub to watch a special sporting event (the NBA basketball finals is on when I’m there), eat with friends and family in the lounge dining area, sit by the fire, or read the paper with a pint or even a coffee (the latter being more passable than usual for a pub).

Dish Cult’s top pick: Roast lamb rump, roasted potatoes, pumpkin, greens, Yorkshire pudding, mint sauce and gravy ($25)

The Warren View Hotel sits conveniently in one of Sydney’s best food and beer zones, encompassing Marrickville, Enmore, Newtown and surrounds. Here you’ll find a mix of standard beers and local inner-west Sydney independent brews, including Grifter and Young Henry’s.

The vibe is relaxed, airy and warm, whether it be in the street-facing front bar or the large, partly covered beer garden at the rear. The beer garden feels like a rooftop bar, with ample gas heaters and an ultra-large TV screen for the big games.

The menu has a clever vegan and vegetarian twist on some pub classics, with an Eggplant schnitty, Eggplant parmi, plant-based bolognese, and best of all Suzy Spoon’s bangers (sausages made with kale and cauliflower, lashings of mash, peas, vegan gravy and caramelised onion). Carnivores and pescatarians are also catered for, as are lovers of Southern American cuisine, with dishes like the Louisiana corn ribs.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Hot donut puffs with orange, star anise and sesame, with chantilly cream ($17)

This Sydney icon on busy Cleveland Street is a few blocks away from Broadway and Spice Alley. It’s also not far from Sydney University and the theatre crowd at the Seymour Centre. If you go a bit further to find The Rose, it is well and truly worth the walk or the Uber fare.

Here you step out of the evening cold into a warm, bustling atmosphere. Nestle into the cosy, welcoming main bar first where you will find some of the 28 rotating beers on tap. Further on, The Rose opens up Tardis-like, with an indoor/outdoor area, whiskey bar and gin bar.

For food, it’s traditional pub grub with a modern Australian twist. Choosing can be difficult, but while you decide, try the Curried lentil, tomato and coconut soup with coriander, chilli oil and flatbread. If you get past the mains menu there is also an extensive list of pizzas.

Bringing the pooch? Why not order her one of the house made treats with pumpkin, oat and peanut butter.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Ocean perch with fried polenta, charred corn, peas and miso butter ($32)

The Old Fitzroy is Sydney pub royalty, now lovingly managed by the Odd Culture Group – owners of four friendly pubs in Sydney.

The Old Fitz is a pub, brasserie and theatre combined. On a chilly winter afternoon or evening the warm, carefully restored interior will keep you inside. Or you can step out for some sunshine at one of the outdoor tables fronting Dowling Street. And bring the “fur-children” – dogs are welcome inside and out.

At the Old Fitz you will find no pokies and one TV (on the mezzanine level). If you plan to huddle up with some friends to watch a special game, ask to use the “trivia TV”, just not on Wednesday trivia night.

The enticing menu changes monthly. Go for pub classics or upgrade to the brasserie for higher class European fare. Carnivores should look out for the 500g pork chop with crackling, greens and truffle.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Txistorra and padrons – fried Basque sausages and peppers ($16)