A friend of mine wanted to check out some of the older bars in Sydney on a rain-filled Saturday, and we ended up at The Hero of Waterloo.

Showing up at around 3 pm on a weekend, the place was packed with families, people from a nearby wedding, and a live jazz band. It was cosy, warm, and very welcoming. The four of us posted up at the bar and had a great conversation with our server who would surprise with us a new drawing on the top of everyone's Guinness, and kept the crowd happy on a really dreary day.

We didn't stay for food - but judging by the number of people there for a late lunch that appeared to be regulars, we should have tried a few things.

Worth a stop anytime you're in town, we really did love this place. Great conversation, great beverages, and it's hard to beat the atmosphere.

This place is amazing live music.There are pretty beers on tap,and it is a very good test for me. Thank you so much for my special day with my partner ðŸ'•

A great pub to shelter from a cold winters night. The jazz band gave an excellent background to sitting next to one of the many fires enjoying a Red with a tender well cooked steak. Good vibes. Friendly staff didn't promise when I booked but it happened anyway. Conrad

Our favorite pub in the rocks.
Plenty of history, live music and top notch food.
Short walk to circular Quay.
Try the Irish stew and a Guinness.

Nice atmosphere in one of the most beautiful pubs in Sydney. Live music and apparently the best Guinness beer in the country.
The pub is conveniently located on the Rocks, just behind where all the action happens.
There are plenty of stories, including some spooky ones about this place.
Staff weren't the best. Their attitude towards customers could be more welcoming (although I visited on a Saturday afternoon, when the pub was busy, maybe they had a bad day).

Great pub which has a real Street corner pub feel. It has maintained a lot of its original charm. The food was tasty and the drinks were nice and chilled which is exactly what was required on a 40 degree day in Sydney

Fine establishment.
Good selection of beer, classy old jazz band.
Generous schnitty with chips and salad.
At $43 for a beer and meal; I hope the staff and band are being paid well.

Staff were friendly and prompt. Unfortunately, the beer selection is 90% James Squire variations which is a bit disappointing. Haven't had any of their food. Overall, the rating was saved by the location and historic atmosphere.

As a part of my Sperm Donation Australia tour of Sydney, stop by this historic pub for a quick drink. Great feel and vibe here to sit back and enjoy a refreshing beverage.

In regards to heritage pubs in The Rocks, I prefer this pub over the Fortune of War (though both are great). The Hero is much warmer and authentic to it's heritage. Checking out the jazz band on a weekend is a must. They have also decked out the private dining room quite well... it's elevated and sophisticated. Best of both worlds in one venue. Excellent atmosphere and prices are reasonable.

Found this place by chance. Stopped in and had a beer and a couple of appetizers. It was the perfect stop. Great atmosphere. They have indoor and outside seating. Food was good. Beers were cold. Highly recommend a stop.

Fabulous place. Great guiness and the wine was lovely, Food was great. Two guy bar tenders, talked to the customers like family. A great place. Sitting here now writing the review on Friday, sun streaming in. Such a lovely lunch

We heard about the pub on the Big Bus Tour Sydney. So we had to check it out. What a fantastic choice. The food was absolutely excellent. The beer cold. And the staff charming. 10/10 you want to check this one out.

I may not be entirely objective when I am claiming this is the best pub in Sydney, so be it - it's the best, check out attached photos and specifically the video with this great jazz orchestra with a vocalist and saxophone player who has played there for 40 years and is now 95 - what a great achievement!!! What a lady!!! As for the pub, the have the best selections of drinks and an award winning steak sandwich - try it, or go for the fish and chips ??

Absolutely great service! I was offered any other dish because the one I've chosen was not available (with no additional payment for more expensive food), and free drink ? because of inconvenience. It was so nice ?
The food is delicious and drinks are very good!

Loads of character in this wonderful pub. I've been coming in for a few beers every so often for almost 40 years and I've never been disappointed.

Found myself craving a beef wellington and was happy to find it here. Could have done with some more veggies but the meat was great. The fish and chips is a joke tho, more like fries with fish fingers! Thought this was a kids meal portion with an adult meal price. Friendly staff but the food portions could do with some touch up.

Great location and pub in the Rocks. It's a little removed from the main busy streets so it's a good option for a casual lunch without the traffic and noise. The pub is the oldest in Sydney and the historical features are on full display. It's a beautiful sandstone building. Food is really good, excellent fish and chips - crispy and not greasy. The beetroot salad was really good as well. Outdoor and indoor seating Staff is friendly. There is live music some nights a week. Metered street parking available. It's a little gem ?

Great location and pub in the Rocks. It's a little removed from the main busy streets so it's a good option for a casual lunch without the traffic and noise. The pub is the oldest in Sydney and the historical features are on full display. It's a beautiful sandstone building. Food is really good, excellent fish and chips - crispy and not greasy. The beetroot salad was really good as well. Outdoor and indoor seating Staff is friendly. There is live music some nights a week. Metered street parking available. It's a little gem ?

Lovely old pub. Friendly staff and a great range of beers. Food is ok priced but fairly ordinary 'pub' food. You could make a good night here with a few mates and some exaggerated stories.

favourite pub of my recently deceased grandfather. I can see why, extremely lovely service and food, although small serves and high prices. was lovely. bar downstairs had excellent ambiance and would love to drink there just as he did. highly recommend if you're ever in the rocks to pop in for a drink.

Lovely ambient atmosphere and good hot schnitzel and chips. We really enjoyed it.

Good beer, nice warm dining room, tasty pie and great service from the barman who made Homer Simpson in the beer foam.

Great pub with plenty of choice in terms of beer! Was there on a Saturday evening and they had a few bands on too. Great atmosphere and only a short walk from Circular Quay.

Awesome pub and the band on Saturday nights is great. If I had one small gripe it would be the choice of beers they have, it would be nice to see a rotating tap showcasing independent craft brewers

Thank you so much for making my husbands birthday so very special ? Such a fabulous place ...music is amazing ...especially Valda who has been playing here since 1978! You rock Valda ??? We love this place....famous atmosphere...amazing service. Thank you again for touching our hearts ??

C Tycoon