11am - late 7 days a week
Sydney’s most iconic Irish pub, The Mercantile Hotel, has undergone an extensive renovation and is now reopen.
After more than a century in the heart of The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest Irish pub has reopened its doors. Following an extensive renovation, The Mercantile returns with renewed energy, unveiling a beautifully reworked multi-level venue crowned by a brand-new rooftop bar with views to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Established in 1915, The Mercantile has long been a gathering place for live music, perfectly poured pints and Irish hospitality. The new chapter honours that legacy while introducing a fresh, contemporary feel — from warm timber interiors to thoughtfully restored details that reflect its deep roots in the neighbourhood.
The rooftop marks a first for The Mercantile, offering cocktails, curated wines and rotating taps in a vibrant setting above the cobblestones. Inside, live music continues every week, alongside elevated takes on Irish classics.
Soon The Mercantile will also welcome 11 boutique accommodation rooms above the pub, inviting guests to stay in the heart of one of Sydney’s most storied precincts, just moments from the harbour.
A beloved local institution, renewed for today — The Mercantile is once again part of the daily rhythm of The Rocks.
Steeped in Heritage
Rising in 1914 and opening its doors the following year, The Mercantile stepped in to continue the legacy of the old Mercantile Rowing Club Hotel. When the rowing club’s lease on its waterfront site expired in 1911, the crew made their move across the harbour to Mosman—where they became the Mosman Rowing Club known today.
Since 1915, The Mercantile has traded from its home at 25 George Street. Through shifting tides and changing times, its doors have stayed open to locals, travellers, storytellers and musicians from every corner of the globe. With more than a century of good cheer behind it, the pub has earned a treasured reputation as the beating heart of Irish music in Australia—and as a place where good times are shared, and memories linger long after the last song fades.
