FRI-YAY – THE SYDNEY ADVENTURES CONTINUE!
The Sydney adventures roll on, and thankfully, the weather has decided to play a little nicer! 
We had considered a trip to Cockatoo Island earlier in the week, but with the weather looking decidedly ordinary, I wasn’t keen on committing to an island adventure that could turn into a bit of a washout. So, as any sensible Thirsty Tourist would do, we made other plans involving food, pubs and a few beverages!
Here’s how our Friday unfolded.
1. Breakfast at Daneili’s
Another morning, another breakfast at Daneili’s. We’re getting quite comfortable here! Good food, good coffee and a great way to fuel up before another day of Sydney wandering.
2. The Rocks Markets
Next up, a wander around The Rocks Markets. We’ve had a look, we’ve had a stroll, but there wasn’t a great deal to report this time around. Sometimes the markets deliver the goods, and sometimes they’re just a pleasant way to stretch the legs!
We also seen the biggest cruise ship we’d ever seen docked anywhere.
3. The Mercantile Hotel – Guinness O’Clock!
Naturally, Friday wouldn’t be Friday without a traditional Thirsty Tourists Friday Guinness!
Our first beer stop was the Mercantile Hotel, a Sydney institution with a bit of Irish spirit.
Originally established to replace the old Mercantile Rowing Club Hotel, the current hotel opened in 1915 and has traded continuously at 25 George Street ever since.
For more than a century, it’s been known as a home of Irish music in Australia, with plenty of stories and memories made within its walls.
We were more than happy to contribute to the ongoing history, one Guinness at a time!
4. Lunch with a view – The Glenmore Hotel
From Irish hospitality to rooftop views, we headed to the Glenmore Hotel for lunch in its rooftop dining area.
Standing proudly since 1921, The Glenmore is one of those Sydney icons that combines a cracking location with views over Sydney Harbour.
The Fried Buttermilk Chicken Burger was absolutely fantastic!
Good food, a rooftop setting and Sydney Harbour putting on a show. It’s a tough life being a Thirsty Tourist, but someone’s got to do it!
5. The Hero of Waterloo – An Old Favourite
No trip to Sydney would be complete without calling into one of our long-time favourites, The Hero of Waterloo!
Tucked away in Millers Point, this heritage-listed beauty has been serving up pub history since 1843–44. With its old-world charm, rich history and classic pub atmosphere, it’s one of those places we just keep coming back to. Some pubs are worth a visit once, but others earn themselves a permanent spot on the itinerary. The Hero definitely falls into the second category!
And let’s be honest, a good pub deserves more than a passing glance.
6. Dinner at The Sicilian – The Rocks
Time to line the stomach again! Dinner was at The Sicilian Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in The Rocks. Previously known as Caminetto Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, the venue was a long-standing fixture in this historic precinct, known for its sandstone courtyard and traditional Italian dining.
Following the closure of Caminetto, the venue reopened as The Sicilian in late 2025.
A change of name, a new chapter and another feed for the hungry tourists. We certainly weren’t going to let the opportunity for Italian food go to waste!
7. The Doss House – One Last Cocktail!
And just when you thought we’d finally call it a day, we decided to finish our Sydney tour with one last visit to The Doss House. Of course, by one last cocktail, we mean the official closing ceremony for this particular day’s adventures.
The Doss House has been a great addition to our Sydney explorations, and it seemed only fitting to return for a final tipple before packing up our city adventures.
THAT’S A WRAP!
Another day of exploring Sydney, discovering places, revisiting old favourites and sampling the local hospitality.
We managed to squeeze in breakfast, markets, historic pubs, rooftop dining, Italian food and cocktails. Not a bad effort for a couple of tourists who couldn’t make up their minds about visiting an island!
Now it’s time to head home, put our feet up and recover from the holiday. We’ve certainly given the walking shoes a workout and done our bit to support Sydney’s hospitality industry!