Where to Play Two-Up on Anzac Day in the Inner West

The game dates back to the trenches of World War I, when Australian soldiers passed the time tossing coins and placing bets on heads or tails. It's simple, it's loud, and it's one of the few traditions that actually feels like it honours the diggers by keeping their game alive rather than just selling them out for a branded merchandise opportunity.

Licensing laws mean venues can't open until 12pm on Anzac Day, which is when most two-up games kick off. Some pubs take it seriously and turn their car parks into full-blown arenas with grandstands, live music, and charity fundraising for Legacy. Others keep it low-key in the beer garden.

The biggest sessions happen at The Sackville in Rozelle, Petersham Public House, and The Royal in Leichhardt. Newtown has The Bank, The Courthouse, and The Marlborough. Marrickville locals should hit Vic on the Park or Bob Hawke. Get there early if you want a spot at the big venues because they hit capacity by mid-afternoon.

Here's where to find the best two-up games in the Inner West, ranked by how big the spectacle is.

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These are the venues that take over their car parks and turn two-up into a proper event. Grandstands, live music, big crowds. This is two-up at scale.

The Sackville Hotel, Rozelle: The Sackville's car park becomes one of Sydney's largest two-up rings on Anzac Day, and they're not mucking around. Grandstand seating, tinnie bars, live music, DJs, and an Anzac Day menu running all afternoon. The venue raises money for Legacy through its Karma Keg program, with a dollar from every Carlton Draught pint or schooner going to the charity. Doors open at 10am, two-up starts at 12pm and runs until sundown. Arrive early or prepare to queue, because this one draws a crowd.
Hours: 10am–late, two-up 12pm–sundown
Address: 599 Darling Street, Rozelle

Petersham Public House, Petersham: Public House Petersham doesn't do things by halves. The car park gets transformed into a two-up arena complete with grandstands, tap bars, food specials, and live music. The NRL screens live on the big screens, and every VB sold on the day sends a dollar to Legacy. Two-up runs from midday until sundown. It's a proper day out, not just a quick spin of the coins, and the crowd reflects that.
Hours: Two-up 12pm–sundown
Address: 292 Stanmore Road, Petersham

The Royal, Leichhardt: The Royal starts with its own dawn service at 6am, then settles into what becomes one of the most community-focused two-up sessions in the Inner West. Two-up runs from 12pm to 6pm with live music going all day, outdoor bars, and food stalls. The atmosphere is as much about the neighbourhood coming together as it is about the coins. It's as Inner West as it gets.
Hours: Dawn service 6am, two-up 12pm–6pm
Address: 156 Norton Street, Leichhardt

These pubs run organised two-up games in their outdoor spaces with hosts, crowds, and a proper setup. The energy is high, the rings are busy, and the coins are flying.

Vic on the Park, Marrickville: The Vic's courtyard has hosted Anzac Day two-up for years. Two-up starts at 12pm, hosted by local favourite Aunty Jonny, with the NRL match on the big screen in the courtyard and live music from 6pm. Entry is free. The Vic attracts serious crowds every year, so get down early if you want a spot in the thick of it.
Hours: Two-up from 12pm, live music from 6pm
Address: 2 Addison Road, Marrickville

The Erko, Erskineville: The Erko opens at 10am and starts two-up at midday in what locals know is one of the better secret beer gardens in the Inner West. The pub runs an Anzac Day menu all afternoon, DJs from 6pm, and a Karma Keg of VB raising money for Legacy. It's a quieter option than some of the bigger Newtown venues, which is exactly why the locals like it.
Hours: 10am–late, two-up from 12pm
Address: 102 Erskineville Road, Erskineville

The Bank Hotel, Newtown: Tora Hymen returns to The Bank for her fifteenth year hosting two-up in the beer garden, which tells you everything you need to know about how well this works. The game kicks off at noon, DJs start at 6pm, and the venue raises funds for Legacy through its Karma Keg of VB. After the two-up winds down, an afterparty takes over Waywards Ballroom and runs late. This is Newtown doing Anzac Day with a bit of theatre, and it's worth showing up for.
Hours: Two-up from 12pm, DJs from 6pm
Address: 324 King Street, Newtown

The Courthouse Hotel, Newtown: The Courthouse, known locally as The Courty, hosts two-up in its beer garden from 12pm. The venue runs a Karma Keg of Resch's with proceeds going to Legacy, and DJs kick off from sundown. The Courty's beer garden is one of the best in Newtown on any day of the year, so when you add two-up and a public holiday into the mix, expect a crowd.
Hours: Two-up from 12pm, DJs from sundown
Address: 202 Australia Street, Newtown

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Two-up happens at these venues, but it's more contained. Good if you're after the tradition without the full spectacle.

The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, Marrickville: The Bob Hawke runs two-up from midday, paired with live music from Tim Rogers (You Am I) at 6pm and support from Sydney singer-songwriter Babitha at 4.30pm. Tickets for the music are $20 on the door, first in best dressed, with all proceeds going to Legacy. The venue also raises an additional dollar from every schooner of Hawke's Lager sold. Two-up, good beer, live music from an Australian rock legend, and a charity donation all rolled into one afternoon. Hard to beat.
Hours: Two-up from 12pm, live music from 4.30pm
Address: 8–12 Sydney Street, Marrickville

The Marlborough Hotel, Newtown: The Marly hosts two-up from midday with drag performer Matty Loco running the show. DJs kick off at 6pm, and there's free pool and free darts all day if you need a break from the coins. Classic Newtown pub energy without the full car park spectacle.
Hours: 10am–late, two-up from 12pm, DJs from 6pm
Address: 145 King Street, Newtown

The Lady Hampshire, Camperdown: The Lady Hampshire hosts two-up from 12pm with live footy on the screens and courtyard DJs from 5pm to 10pm. It's a solid local option in Camperdown if you want two-up without heading deeper into Newtown or Marrickville.
Hours: Two-up from 12pm, DJs from 5pm
Address: 302 Parramatta Road, Camperdown

The Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills: The Beresford hosts two-up from 1pm with drag queen Maxi Shield running the show, followed by DJs at 7pm. The courtyard is dog-friendly, the vibe is a few notches more polished than your standard pub two-up, and it's a good option if you want the tradition without the full-blown car park chaos. Surry Hills at its best.
Hours: Two-up from 1pm, DJs from 7pm
Address: 120 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

Keg & Brew, Surry Hills: Keg & Brew opens at 5am with bacon and egg rolls for the early starters, then runs two-up from midday to sunset. The best part? Pints for the price of schooners and live sport on the screens. No frills, just solid two-up and cheap beer.
Hours: 5am–late, two-up 12pm–sunset
Address: 26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

Dick's Hotel, Balmain: Dick's runs two-up in the beer garden from midday, with DJs upstairs kicking off at the same time. Balmain locals know this one well. Good spot if you're in the area and want a session that doesn't require a trek across the Inner West.
Hours: 10am–late, two-up from 12pm, DJs from 12pm
Address: 174 Elliott Street, Balmain

BrewDog South Eveleigh, Alexandria: BrewDog runs two-up from 12pm to 5pm with DJs starting at 1pm and running late. The venue opens at 11am, so you can get a head start on the rush. It's not the biggest ring in the Inner West, but the beer selection is excellent and the crowd skews more craft beer drinker than traditional pub punter. Different energy, same game.
Hours: 11am–late, two-up 12pm–5pm
Address: Bay 1 Locomotive Workshops, 2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh

Taphouse, Darlinghurst: Taphouse opens at 11am with two-up running from midday alongside Chinese food specials and chilled beers all day. Technically Darlinghurst, but close enough to the Inner West border that we're claiming it. If you're keen to keep the session going late, Friday night karaoke kicks off at 7pm. It's a different vibe from the classic pub two-up, which is exactly the point.
Hours: 11am–late, two-up from 12pm
Address: 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst

Most venues open at 10am or later, with two-up starting at 12pm sharp due to licensing laws. If you're planning to make a day of it, get there early. Queues form fast, and venues like The Sackville, The Royal, and Vic on the Park will hit capacity by mid-afternoon.

Many pubs are running Karma Kegs, where a dollar from every beer sold goes to Legacy, the charity supporting families of Australian veterans. Worth knowing, and worth contributing to.

Public transport is your best bet, especially if you're moving between venues. The light rail runs through Rozelle and Leichhardt, Surry Hills and Marrickville, whereas trains and buses cover the rest. And if you're riding a bike between breweries, please be careful.

Anzac Day is about remembrance first. But the two-up tradition honours the diggers by keeping their game alive, and something is fitting about spending the afternoon exactly how they would have: cold beers, loud bets, and a bit of harmless chaos.

Whether you're there for the coins, the atmosphere, or just an excuse to drink in a car park with a few hundred strangers, the Inner West has you covered.

Do I need to get there early?
Yes, if you're heading to the big venues like The Sackville, Petersham Public House, or The Royal. They hit capacity by mid-afternoon, and once they're full, you're waiting in line or heading elsewhere. Smaller sessions like The Marlborough or Dick's are easier to slip into later in the day.

What time does two-up actually start?
Licensing laws mean two-up can't legally start until 12pm on Anzac Day. Most venues stick to this, though some open their doors from 10am for breakfast and drinks before the games kick off.

Which venues are best if I've never played before?
The Bob Hawke, The Marlborough, or The Lady Hampshire are good entry points. They're more contained than the big car park arenas, so you can watch how it works without getting crushed by a crowd of 500 people. Once you've got the hang of it, move up to The Sackville or The Bank.

Can I bring my dog?
The Erko and The Beresford both advertise dog-friendly courtyards. Most other beer gardens tolerate well-behaved dogs, but call ahead if it matters.

What's the go with Legacy donations?
Many venues run Karma Kegs, where a dollar from every beer sold goes to Legacy, the charity supporting families of Australian veterans. Some also have donation tins at the bar. It's worth chipping in.

How do I get between venues?
Public transport. The light rail runs through Rozelle, Leichhardt, and Newtown. Buses cover the rest. Don't drive. If you're on a bike, be careful..

This guide is correct at the time of publishing. Venue hours may change. Check Instagram stories and Google listings in the days ahead of Anzac Day.