There is no other day of the year like Anzac Day, where you’ll find Australia’s best pubs so full of life and community as everyone sets out to pay their respects with the time-honoured tradition of two-up (2 up).
What is Two-Up & How Do I Play It?
In Sydney, 2 Up is only legally allowed on Anzac Day as well as during commemorative functions in the 7 days leading up to it. The only exception in Australia is up in Broken Hill, where 2 Up is allowed year-round thanks for a special license. So the scarcity certainly adds to the appeal.
But it’s the sense of community that makes games of 2 Up so special. Just as the diggers did it, a player flips two coins and spectators can bet one of three ways: both sides are heads, both sides are tails, or both sides are different. It’s as simple as that, and it’s the approachability that tends to pull people together on a day that’s geared towards remembrance and celebration.
2 Up also brings all of Australia’s best pubs to life and reiterates them as beacons of community spirit. So it’s always a great time to see your local reach its full potential.
Where to play Two Up on the Northern Beaches
1. Harbord Diggers
Anzac Day in Sydney is synonymous with Harbord Diggers. There is virtually no other pub in Sydney that can compete with the atmosphere here, with the Freshwater favourite considered the go-to for the Northern Beaches. And it’s worth travelling for as well, with its own Anzac Day Dawn service started at 8am followed by the two-up tradition from midday. The kicker: the outdoor games are set against views of the stunning Freshwater headland. It’s the ultimate 2 Up party each and every year.
While most pubs in Sydney have free entry for their 2-up parties, the Harbord Diggers charge a $10 entry fee. It’s necessary too, given the popularity. Otherwise the queues would reach all the way to Manly Beach. The smarter way to play is to buy tickets online and in advance as this one requires a bit of pre-planning.
Where: 88 Evans Street, Freshwater
When: 2 Up from 12pm – 6pm
2. Felons Manly
Cling close to the wharf on Anzac Day with 2-up at Felons Manly. Sydney’s most contemporary brewpub will be hosting rounds of coin-tossing fun on the jetty as well as live music rolling out throughout the day. You’ll also be amongst the first to try some of Felons’ newest tap beers including the grapefruit radler and dulce de leche porter.
Where: E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
When: 2 Up from 12pm
3. Harbord Hotel
Beloved Freshwater pub Harbord Hotel has always been one of the most popular Sydney pubs during Anzac Day. This year should be no different, with snaking queues expected to pack the venue as soon as it opens at 10am. The party spills out to the carpark during the day, as 2-up takes over and the legendary carpark BBQ fires up with hot dogs, brisket rolls and ice-cold beers. To bring a little distinction to the event, the pub will also welcome a special marching band to pay homage to our fallen soldiers.
Where: 29 Moore Rd, Freshwater NSW 2096
When: 2 Up from 10am
4. The Newport
There’s no better tradition than a post-Dawn Service breakfast at The Newport for those who live up north. The gorgeous seaside pub will once again be opening early on the day, with 2 Up happening from 12pm to bring the community together.
Where: 2 Kalinya St, Newport NSW 2106
When: 2 Up from 12pm
Where to play Two Up in Sydney CBD & Surrounds
5. The Dolphin
The Dolphin’s dining room will have the biggest 2 Up ring in Surry Hills on Anzac Day. Rounds of the symbolic gambling game kick off at 12pm while the pub lets loose with a curated menu of the kitchen’s favourites as well as as the RSL, a rissole sandwich. Donations on the day go directly to Legacy Sydney and doors are only open for walk-ins. Be prepared to queue.
Where: 412 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
When: 2 Up from 12pm
6. Clock Hotel
The Crown Street institution will once again host the biggest 2 Up ring in Surry Hills. You’ll find a street bar set-up with ice cold frothies, an outdoor BBQ going all afternoon, and 2 Up from midday. Every pint or schooner of VB sold out on the day means $1 going straight to Legacy.
Where: 470 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
When: 2 Up from 12pm
7. Royal Hotel Paddington
The Royal Hotel Paddington will go ahead with its traditional Anzac Day Street Party, which is always one of Sydney’s biggest celebrations on the day, on April 25. Both indoor and outdoor 2-up arenas will be set up alongside a traditional Aussie BBQ while DJs spin from 3pm.
The Anzac Day party is always one of the busiest in the city so make sure you’re planning ahead. You won’t able to book beforehand either, it’s all walk ins so be prepared to queue early. 2-Up kicks off at 10am with hosts Lauchlan & Simon.
Where: 237 Glenmore Rd, Paddington NSW 2021
When: 2 Up from 10am
8. Kings Cross Hotel
The Kings Cross Hotel hosts 2 Up on the pub’s massive balcony from 12pm on Anzac Day. You’ll also find a round of food specials lasting all day right alongside the Anzac Day Cup screenings in the sports bay. Funds will be raised for Legacy with every Karma Keg of Carlton Draught sold.
Where: 244-248 William St, Potts Point NSW 2011
When: 2 Up from 12pm
9. Forrester’s
Doors open early for Forrester’s on Anzac Day. The popular Surry Hills pub will welcome. guests from 11am on the day, right before 2 Up commences at 12pm until sundown. DJs start shuffling through from 6:30pm so you can have a boogie, or opt to catch the NRL Roosters vs Dragons game live and loud in the public bar from 4pm. Want to fling some cash towards Legacy? $1 from every FELLR Watermelon seltzer and Young Henrys Newtowner will go straight to the charity.
Where: 336 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
When: 2 Up from 12pm
Where to play Two Up in the Inner West
10. BrewDog South Eveleigh
BrewDog south Eveleigh is thinking big for Anzac Day. 2 Up will be spinning from 12pm to 5pm on the day and DJs will start shuffling through shortly after, with beats banging from 1pm ’til late. Doors open at 11am so go and get in early, there will be a queue.
Where: Bay 1 Locomotive Workshops South, Eveleigh NSW 2015
When: 2 Up from 12pm
11. The Royal Leichhardt
One of the inner-west’s most symbolic pub is welcoming all spinners to its own Anzac Day dawn service starting from 6am. The solemn tribute to our fallen soldiers is followed by 2 Up from 12pm to 6pm as well as live music all day alongside outdoor bars and food stalls. The Royal Leichhardt always manages to capture that festive feel to help pull together a sense of community on this day of respect and remembrance.
Where: 156 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040
When: 2 Up from 12pm
12. Vic on the Park
Marrickville’s popular Vic on the Park is vibrant and full of life any day of the year, but Anzac Day always brings in a special atmosphere as the local community gets together for a full day of coin-tossing. 2 Up will take place in the courtyard from 12pm with Aunty Jonny on hosting duties. Live music stretches from day to night if you want to make it a big one.
Where: 2 Addison Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
When: 2 Up from 12pm
13. The Sackville Hotel
Fancy playing 2-up in the carpark of The Sackville all day? One of Rozelle’s most vibrant pubs is once again opening its arms for a big Anzac Day party with a special menu, tinnie bars, live music and DJs all day. Make sure you’re loading up on those Karma Kegs of Carlton Draught as well; $1 from each purchase goes towards raising funds for Legacy.
Where: 599 Darling St, Rozelle NSW 2039
When: 2 Up from 12pm
14. Public House Petersham
Public House Petersham will be hosting 2 Up in the car park from 12pm on Anzac Day. It’s always a big affair here, with grandstands, live music, tap bars, food specials and entertainment planned for the day, alongside a live and loud screening of the NRL. Every VB sold means $1 goes straight to Legacy.
Where: 292 Stanmore Rd, Petersham NSW 2049
When: 2 Up from 12pm
15. Courthouse Hotel
Newtown’s best beer garden is hosting 2 Up from 12pm. Head along to the Courthouse Hotel on April 25 to test your luck with the tradition while also helping to raise funds for Legacy by purchasing Karma Kegs of Resch’s. The Courty is popular on any day of the year, really, so we couldn’t even imagine how packed it will be as we come together to pay tribute to the Anzacs.
Where: 202 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042
When: 2 Up from 12pm
16. The Marlborough Hotel
This Newtown classic is always up for a good time on April 25. After you’ve paid your respects at the Anzac Dawn Service at Martin Place, head on over to the corner of King and Missenden where the Marlborough Hotel will open its doors for 2 Up from 12pm. Hosted by Matty Loco, the rounds of coin-flipping will be spinning all day before DJs start riling through all night. Plus, expect free pool, free darts, and free cornhole.
Where: 145 King St, Newtown NSW 2042
When: 2 Up from 12pm
Where to play Two Up in the Eastern Suburbs
17. The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak will have its Rooftop Tinnie Bar firing all day long for Anzac Day as all spinners are welcome to participate in rounds of two-up from 12pm. DJs will start shuffling through to help turn this into a party from 5pm while the bistro stays open for all the crowd favourites. You’ll even get to pop by the Sports Bar, which will be playing the annual Roosters vs Dragon match live and loud.
Where: 28 Bay St, Double Bay NSW 2028
When: 2 Up from 2pm
18. Woollahra Hotel
The Woollahra Hotel is always a popular spot for an Anzac Day party. This year, doors will open at 9am before two-up on the terrace from 12pm. DJs and live entertainment start at 4pm, turning this into a full day with a strong sense of community. Walk ins only.
Where: 116 Queen St, Woollahra NSW 2025
When: 2 Up from 9am
19. The Golden Sheaf
Doors to the famous Golden Sheaf open from 10am with two-up spinning from 12pm in the leafy beef garden. Get those Karma Kegs of Balter XPA in if you want to help raise funds for Legacy Australia while the party keeps on from 6pm with a roster of local DJs. Entry is free and walk-in only.
Where: 429 New South Head Rd, Double Bay NSW 2026
When: 2 Up from 12pm
Where to play Two Up in Western Sydney
20. Albion Hotel
Find yourself out in Parramatta on April 25? Sydney’s second city rallies around Albion Hotel for Anzac Day. The long-standing pub holds one of Western Sydney’s biggest two-up arenas in its car park, making it a bit of a festival with live entertainment and food specials all day. Every VB sold means $1 heading to Legacy.
Where: 135 George St, Parramatta NSW 2150
When: 2 Up from 12pm
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