Positioned in the heart of North Sydney, Billy Barry’s Hotel is a good pub venue for lunchtime food and drinks as well as post work drink catch ups with friends and colleagues.
A bustling venue, Billy Barry’s is a popular spot for lunchtime dining, so it is advisable to get there early to secure a table, or simply phone in advance and reserve a table instead. Fridays in particular are very busy and fill up fast.
My colleagues and I arrived at midday Friday and Billy Barry’s was already a hive of activity. We found a table in the lounge area with comfy seating, having not booked in advance, but there are other high tables you can sit at if you prefer table seating.
The menu is extensive with a variety of $10 meals with any drinks purchase which includes classics such as Sirloin Steak, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Chicken Schnitzel as well as salads, nachos and pasta dishes. You can also grab one of the hearty burgers for $12 with any drinks purchase including classics such as Wagyu Beef Burger, American Cheese Burger, Grilled Chicken Burger and Mediterranean Vege Burger.
Of course, if you want a main meal then take your picks from favourites including fish and chips, Chicken Parmigiana and the scrumptious sounding Pork Belly which I shared with my colleague.
You order drinks and food at the bar and I recommend ordering as soon as possible as a line quickly forms and it can become a battle to get served, especially if you are a shorty like me!
Billy Barry’s has a great atmosphere with a number of screens that show the latest sporting matches or entertainment. The pub also has a great selection of local and imported beers as well as an extensive wine list.
If you’re on a budget then why not head down to Billy Barry's Hotel on Tuesdays and Thursdays after work between 5pm – 7pm to take advantage of Happy Hour where you can enjoy $5 pints of Carlton and VB as well as $5 House wine and Bubbles! To wind down the working week then Fridays also has free popcorn!
For those who love playing pool then you can do so for just $1 on Mondays and Tuesdays or play for free on Sundays! There are a couple of pool tables to play at and practice your shots and these were empty when we were here – probably as everyone was tucking into their lunch!
Food arrives pretty promptly at Billy Barry's and is brought out to you, although you do need to collect your cutlery yourself so it’s best to do this when ordering to avoid having to get up again! All of our food was a good portion size and our Pork Belly in particularly was monstrous in size – definitely a dish that can be shared, or eaten all to yourself if you are particularly ravenous and love pork!
Unfortunately, although looking extremely moreish and inviting, the pork belly was a bit overdone and dry. The gravy and apple sauce served with it did help take the dryness away, but it was a shame as the Pork Belly dish definitely looked better than it tasted. The potatoes however that were served with it were good though and super tasty.
I guess being casual pub food it can be hard to serve food at their optimum, but the food that was being served at our table and neighbouring ones looked appetising including the steak and Chicken Parmigiana.
Overall, if you are looking for good pub grub in a vibrant setting then Billy Barry’s Hotel does a fine job. Service is fast and efficient, and you don’t have to queue too long – as long as you get there early, whilst there is a fantastic selection of beers, wines, cider and soft drinks to choose from.
There is plenty of casual seating, but again it’s best to get here early as some seats in the main pub section can be quite close to the bar and gets a bit rowdy with people queuing right behind you.
However, for the price, Billy Barry’s Hotel is an affordable pub for food and drinks, whilst you can play some pool at the same time or head downstairs to the TAB to have a go on the pokies. I’d definitely recommend for a lunch spot and with its great positioning close to North Sydney train station, it’s also a good venue to stop at before catching your train home.