Casual spots to host your Christmas gathering

The Australian is one of Sydney’s oldest pubs and an icon of hospitality in Australia. Grab your mates and a seat on the street in the sun and get stuck into their menu of classic pub meals and Aussie-inspired pizzas (try the pepper kangaroo, it’s delicious). Oh and did we mention there are 130 Aussie craft beers in the fridge?

There are few places in the world that inspire good cheer and a little jollyness than a good, local Irish bar. And that’s exactly what the Mercantile Hotel is - Sydney’s oldest Irish bar in fact. Our advice? Invite your funnest friends, pull up a pew, order some hearty Irish bar snacks and a round of Guinness and see where the night takes you.

The Fortune of War has been around since 1828, making it Sydney’s oldest pub. Almost two centuries after opening, they’re still providing an excellent spot to bend the elbow and catch up with friends. Get in there and enjoy a little slice of Sydney history with your pint.

The Tea Cosy is the home of gourmet tea and delicious home baked scones in The Rocks. This charming historic hole-in-the-wall is serving a mouthwatering, one-off treat just for Christmas - rum and raisin scones slathered with boozy brandy cream. Anyone else hungry all of a sudden?

In Mexico, they celebrate Christmas for an entire month, from December 12 until January 6. El Camino are keeping the fiesta going all summer, with their famous Tex Mex food, signature margaritas, cold Mexican cervezas and huge selection of mezcals and tequilas. See you there amigo!

It would be criminal not to include Sydney’s best rooftop bar on this list. The Glenmore is a classic Sydney pub serving elevated crafted cocktails, a generous wine list and beer fresh from the tap. But the real highlight of this local icon is its incredible rooftop boasting panoramic views over the world’s most famous harbour. Simply epic.

The Push serves crafted cocktails, delicious eats and local beer and wine inside a charming heritage space right in the middle of George Street. They host a live pianist every Friday and Saturday, helping get you into a festive mood with Christmas classics.

During the silly season you’re allowed - no, encouraged! - to feast to your heart’s content. There are few better places to eat than Caminetto, where you’ll find authentic Italian food and one of the biggest, best courtyards in The Rocks.

Above one of the city’s oldest pubs, you’ll find modern cocktail terrace Mrs Jones, overlooking a shady sandstone courtyard. During sunny days and balmy evenings, this is the place to be - with a jug of mojito and a few friends by your side.

ASLAN Coffee Roasters source the best quality coffee beans directly from a supplier on the Indonesian archipelego and roast them in house. They serve their expertly brewed coffee alongside a delectable breakfast and lunch menu, and delicious pastries and cakes.