DiCKs Hotel Balmain

DiCKs Hotel has been trading in Balmain since 1874, built by publican John Dick and still carrying his name on the signage — capital D, lowercase i, capital C and K. Elia Economou bought the business in 2006 and added a second storey for function space. It has resisted the chain-consolidation wave that has swept the other Balmain pubs: still independent, still trading on pub classics, schnitzels, burgers and rump steaks, still pouring Young Henrys and a rotating local tap list. Sport plays on the televisions above a dark wooden bar lined with memorabilia.

Dogs are welcome in the beer garden out the back — a plant-heavy courtyard with a huge domed roof over half the paving, so wet weather isn't a deal-breaker. It's one of a handful of Balmain pubs that haven't traded in their old-school feel to stay dog-friendly.