Looking for a decent pub that has good food, and not trying to be a fine diner? Searching for mains around the $20 mark so as not to break the budget? Whether it be a late night home from work and cooking’s in the “too hard” basket, or somewhere for a casual meal with mates and a beer or three - the search has started, and with few great results at this point in time. I’d love to hear what your thoughts and secrets are as well.

The Porterhouse
Great Guinness plus football from around the globe is always on offer. The food on offer here is a cut above your typical pub fare, moreover it’s seriously good food offered in a pub environment at bargain prices. The Blue Eye Cod Fillet with saffron mash in tomato and garlic ($21.5) was flavoursome and sized well. The Guiness pie ($17.5) is also a treat, wonderful meaty chunks and vegetables in a flavoursome gravy. Only notable downside was that desert took 25 minutes to arrive.

Score:
Where: Corner of Campbell and Riley Streets, Surry Hills NSW

Cargo Bar
Isn’t there something disturbing about your meal appearing five minutes after you ordered? Toast and my morning coffee take 5 minutes. Pizza doesn’t.

Score:
Where: King St Wharf - 52 The Promenade, Sydney NSW

The Chamberlain
Bar service is nothing special, however it’s the food leaves a lot to be desired. The big man running the show shows little respect for his customers unless you’re attractive and female. Rumour has it that there’s new face in the kitchen, but I’ve been scarred and as I don’t work near the hotel anymore, I’m unlikely to return.

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Where: Corner of Campbell and Pitt Streets, Sydney NSW

The Clock
Multiple bars, and a balcony that wants you to lap up the sun in the colder months. Great selection of local boutiques on tap including Crackenback Ale. A tasty tapas menu is on offer – the tasting plate reasonably priced, and perfect for two people on a Sunday afternoon.

Score: - not far from 2!
Where: 470 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW

Equilibrium
Only kept alive by the Ernst & Young building inhabitants and lovers of r’n'bullshit on weekends. Quite simply, this bar is what the heart of a robot would look and feel like. A venue that is absolutely devoid of soul. A ridiculous number of beers on tap, 60-something infact, which might be appetising the lover of beer, however it often leads to many of the boutiques being stale when you order. Watch out when the Kirin and Crackenback Ale ’special offers’ – it means it’s clearance time and it’s usually not going to taste great. Also, do not sign up to any mailing lists or participate in business card drops as they have no ability to unsubscribe you, even if the responses advise you otherwise. Hopeless. Food, well… we didn’t get there and neither should you.

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Where: World Square, 680 George Street, Sydney NSW - website

Martin Place Bar
There’s a bar and a bistro, but the bistro is in the bar, or is the bar in the bistro? Could I eat from the bistro menu in the bar or vice versa. Also, I didn’t realise I had to order from the bar for the bistro. Shouldn’t the bistro have table service? Confused? So was I. Penne with pork and fennel in a tomato & rosemary sauce ($14.0) was quite flavoursome, but it wasn’t because of the fennel which seemed completely absent. The high level of fat in the pork mince wasn’t something to write home about either. The baby cos salad ($12.0) was a Caesar variant in disguise and was more leaf than anything else.

Score: Neutral
Where: 51 Martin Place, Sydney NSW - website

3 Wise Monkeys
Speak no evil, hear no evil and see no evil? Nice idea, but pity about the execution. The food is evil, the drink is evil, the clientele are mostly evil and this equates to one terrible venue. Bottled wine is watered down (you’ll notice it’s never opened in front of you), as are the spirits. This venue epitomises any bar on George St south of Park Street. Avoid at all costs.

Score: (Thinking about a 3rd “thumb’s down” rating)
Where: 555 George Street, Sydney NSW - website