The Beresford — Restaurant in Sydney

🌿 Ambience & Vibe

Stylish Art Deco pub with chilled courtyard: The spacious cobblestone beer garden is adorned with Japanese maples and hanging lanterns, described as "reminiscent of a Japanese garden"  .

Day-to-night versatility: Perfect for relaxed weekday lunches or weekend drinks. On Fridays and Saturdays, the upstairs area transforms into a lively bar with live music and DJs  .

LGBTQ+ friendly: The hotel retains its community-rooted vibe, especially on "Beresford Sundays" — popular dance/drinking sessions with a vibrant LGBTQ+ crowd  .

🍽️ Food & Drink

Modern Italian-meets-pub menu: Think house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, charcuterie, schnitzels, steak, fish, burgers, salads, and shareable plates like truffle arancini  .

Drinks: Regular happy hours (typically 6–8 pm), jug cocktails (Pimms Cooler, signature Ghettoblaster) and a rotating wine & craft beer list  .

Consistent positives: Many praise the kitchen for delivering solid, flavourful dishes in a relaxed setting  .

👍 Highlights

Excellent service & friendly staff: Multiple reviews from TripAdvisor mention "attentive staff" and positive host experiences  .

Ideal for groups: The courtyard is dog-friendly, and the venue suits after-work drinks, dinners, and casual gatherings  .

Lively weekends: Live music, DJs, and vibrant Sunday sessions make it a weekend favourite  .

👎 Drawbacks

Mixed food reviews: Some patrons report inconsistent cooking—dry burgers, overcooked schnitzel, or austerely topped pizzas  .

Crowd & service issues: A few reviews mention rudeness from DJs or staff, and an atmosphere that can feel cliquey  .

Pricing: Food and drinks skew toward mid-range; items like fries ($30–40) are fine but add up quickly  .

📝 Final Verdict

The Beresford Hotel is a well-rounded Surry Hills favourite — blending historic charm, a welcoming yet energetic atmosphere, and competent modern-Italian pub fare. It excels at service, ambiance, and weekend vibes, particularly on Sundays and during live events. Just be aware: food quality can sometimes vary, and it leans slightly on the pricier side.

💡 Insider Tips

Go early on weekends to nab courtyard tables before it gets busy.

Hit up happy hour (6–8pm daily) for better value.

Order crowd-pleasers like pizza, charcuterie, burgers, & the Pimms Cooler jug.

Expect a party vibe upstairs on weekends, especially during...

I’m a 67 year old man that was visiting from the blue mountains. I had family down from qld and the central coast . We had been dining at China doll Woolloomooloo . As there were more than a Car full the girls decide to go ahead and travel to the Beresford in Surry hills when I arrived the girls were Already inside and approaching the entrance I was immediately told I wasn’t allowed to go in . I ask why i was not allowed to enter and my question was met with silence ??

As i stood by the entrance I watched many people had just walked in without question and so I thought I might try the same only to be met with the guy on the door man handing me and then a second and third guy appeared and of course the over reach of these men in trying to intimidate me into accepting there judgement was bordering on pure thuggery !

I hadn’t committed any crime And to be honest I was initially peaceful and just wanted to see my family who had traveled along way to be here. I was super offended and missed out on enjoying my family’s presence . By the time I was Man handled away from the entrance with my shirt ripped I was very angry ! I didn’t go there to cause trouble however the bouncers attitude and sense of power certainly stirred up a sense of injustice and retribution . As I said I’m 67 and all I wanted was to enjoy a night out with my family ! Is this a common problem with security...

Great food - YES, excellent service - YES, friendly atmosphere - YES, though what actually makes The Beresford stand out is the sense of 'team' from the crew. My 90 year old friend and I were attending a Generation Women event (highly recommend) and I was anxious when I realised this was being held in the upstairs bar! Well, it is not easy to navigate stairs with a walker.... I approached one of the staff at the bar who said 'no worries, I'll let the manager know and you can access via the lift.' Jack came over and assured us that, when the doors open, he will assist us to the room. Not only did Jack return as promised but with a team member in tow who carried our meals and drinks upstairs to the table they had reserved for us. Throughout the event, the team delivered drinks and meals to the whole crowd seamlessly. Being seated near the door I could not help but notice how courteous and thoughtful the team were to each other, making sure the doors didn't close as another team member went to enter/exit, that team members knew the layout of the tables and where a particular table number may be. The manager of the floor (I am sorry I did not get our name) even took the time to check in on my friend and I. Often teamwork goes unnoticed as guests just come away knowing the have had a fantastic outing. To all of the crew at The Beresford, I see you and you are...