We’re back at it with a well-overdue instalment of our Friday Five series, where today we’re on the hunt for five of Hobart’s best corner pubs.
You know the type of pub we’re talking about, the cosy local neighbourhood pub within walking distance of town, that lives on the corner.
There’s something so iconic about corner pubs. Wrapping around the curb where two streets meet like a hug. Back in the day, local corner pubs acted as a one-stop shop for locals to eat, drink, gather, sleep, post mail, and do business – all in one place.
During the 1850’s and the Gold Rush era, corner pubs were popping up everywhere, providing easy access for pedestrians and horse-drawn traffic. A lot of the pubs featured below were built in the 1800’s. But nowadays, they’re few and far between.
A local corner pub is the heart of community life, cultural institutions, if you will. We’ve lost many a corner pub in Hobart, so we went on a pub crawl to find the icons that have stood the test of time.
The Winston
Known as ‘The Winnie’ to locals who frequent this renowned corner pub that bookends the NoHo restaurant strip. This dimly-lit Americana ale house is famous for their wings, American-style burgers, and vast selection of vegan menu items. Featuring decadent weekly specials and in-house brews on tap,
grab a pint and play some pinball in their gaming room or a game of pool at the billiards. Their extensive sauce stand is also not to be missed!
📍381 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart
Hope and Anchor
Established in 1807, making it the oldest pub in Australia! The Hope and Anchor are a corner pub not to be missed, known for their buttered rum and now with Hobart Brewing Co. at the helm (and on tap), you can enjoy a Harbour Master or Guinness in the sun with their new parklet. What’s more iconic than that?
The Crescent Hotel
Literally named after a curved shape that has two narrow pointed ends – how could we not include this corner icon? Hugging the corner of Burnett and Murray Street, with a stunning rooftop beer garden to watch the world go by with a Guinness, local ale, or cider in hand. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building established in 1858, serving up hearty pub grub and weekly trivia.
📍100 Burnett Street, North Hobart
The Tasmanian Inn
On the outskirts of the inner city, sitting on the corner of Campbell and Warwick Street is the historic two-storey watering hole, The Tas Inn. Your local corner pub since 1851, with a beer garden to lap up the sun with a locally produced beer and/or wine in hand. Cosy, classy, and serving up all your fave classic pub meals: think schnitty’s, parmis, beef and Guinness pies, and cauliflower and cheese for the veggos. What’s not to love?
Hobart Town Hotel
Last but certainly not least, THE corner pub to end all corner pubs. The historic building where Macquarie and Argyle Street kiss has been home to many local institutions. The Hobart Town Hotel isn’t just a pub – it’s been part of Hobart’s DNA since 1814! Located in the heart of Hobart, it is frequented by office workers, tradies, and backpackers alike. From post office to pub, it remains a cornerstone of Hobart’s social scene, embodying what Corner Pubs are known for.