Establishment Main Bar

A pleasant pub with a few nice dishes. — It is a pub where you can also get some food. It was quite centrally located and near our hotel. After an exhausting day of sightseeing, we stopped here just to get something to eat. Our meal was exactly what we had been looking for. Nothing extraordinary, but down-to-earth and good. We had dishes that each came with a drink. In terms of price, it was more than reasonable for this location. We found the premises really nice; the atmosphere was pleasant. I can easily imagine spending a long and pleasant evening in this establishment with a few glasses of beer or wine and good conversation. We were exhausted, and so it was only two glasses before we went to the hotel...

Hostile Club Security — Nightclub: Security & manager are hostile and intimidating. Disrespectful and unwelcoming

Horrible entrance staff — I wanted to share feedback from my visit on the 26th of March. Unfortunately, the experience was significantly affected by the behaviour of the door staff, who were some of the most unfriendly and unapproachable I’ve encountered. In particular, a member of senior staff in a blue shirt repeatedly spoke over me and didn’t take the time to properly listen to myself or my friends. This made the situation frustrating and ultimately left us feeling unwelcome—to the point where we no longer wanted to go inside. On a more positive note, the bar staff were lovely and provided great service. However, the initial interaction with security set the tone for the evening in a negative way. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as the security team’s approach could benefit from serious review. Based on this experience, I wouldn’t consider returning.

As nasty as I remember — It’s so hard to be honest without sounding like I’m deliberately ripping this place to shreds. But everything about this place makes me realise why I haven’t stepped foot in it for the last 15 years. I made this mistake twice recently and it’s as horrible as I remember. Nasty. Horrible HORRIBLE DJ playing ABBA, I’m pretty sure the cups were plastic and there was a door missing in the girls toilet. No thank you

Great casual “higher end” lunch. — Excellent experience at the Establishment . I was alone. Sat at the bar, and was served by the amazing Lili ! Fun, professional, entertaining. Makes the best cocktails and basically made my afternoon. Great place. I’d be happy to come here every day.

Excellent restaurant — Excellent choice on the menu, prices very reasonable, very good cocktails at fair prices. Decor is old and quaint, sports screens, and great atmosphere. Staff friendly and very helpful.

Smart Spot for a Relaxed City Drink — We stumbled across Establishment by chance while heading somewhere else and decided to stop in for a drink—and we’re glad we did. The atmosphere was stylish and relaxed, with a crowd that seemed to be mostly city professionals winding down after work. It wasn’t too crowded when we visited, which made it easy to head straight to the bar and grab our drinks without a wait. The drinks menu offered all the usual options. Our bar server was a bit distracted and she apoeared to be spaced out. While we didn’t try the food, we understand there’s a bar bites-style menu available as well. Overall, a great spot for a casual drink in the city. We’d happily return and would recommend it if you’re looking for a well-appointed venue for a relaxed evening out in Sydney.

Racist Establishment — This is the most racist place in town!!! We are a group of 6 people, 3 couples. And one of our members is Japanese and he got stopped at the door by the female manager(on 31 January 2025). She said he’s intoxicated which is far from the truth. He’s sober and wearing the most appropriate cothing ( working shirt, trouser and leather shoes). And she somehow determined that he’s intoxicated!!! Mind you as Asian we even asked her to ask a Math question to prove that he’s sober and functioning :). He’s the most normal person and sober on earth! She just doesn’t let him in and said that he’s drunk?!!! We couldn’t believe it! Our Australian friends came and spoke to her that we just went for a dinner and came here, we didn’t go clubbing or drank a lot. We were civilized at last!!! But she doesn’t let him in! We were dumbfounded. We don’t know what’s the reason?! We went to other places that night before and it’s all fine (including a bar in Hilton hotel). I can’t think about any reason accept this place being racist toward Asian! Please watch out from this place. It’s not worth it! And I’m so curious to know who was she the manager at the door tonight on the 31st Jan 2025?! Because we can’t believe in 21st century, we still face racism in Australia!? Like… what’s going on in this country? In the most diversity city? How come they are still racist toward Asian? I can’t understand it?! Like, what are they thinking when they go to Bali or Tokyo, the most popular places for Australian to visit?! We never treat them this way! I’m speechless. I’m devastated and heart broken. If you’re the boss at this company called Establisment, please consider your operation. Because no human on earth should face racism like this. It’s heart broken!!!

Good for pre-dinner drinks — An impressive venue, we stopped here for pre-dinner drinks. The service was fantastic - especially Mollie behind the bar. She really knows her stuff! I knocked a star off for prices - I think it’s a bit over priced. But overall I would recommend it for a few drinks before going on somewhere. I got a sense it would get pretty busy and noisy later on - which wouldn’t be for me as I’m more of a “chat in the pub” guy.

Discrimination — The staff refused to let me in because of neck tattoos. I told them I’m not from Australia and that it was a discrimination. I spoke to the manager “Aaron”

Horrible staff — The food was amazing but the wait staff were horrible and miserable. We were a big corproate group so had to order with a waiter as we had a corproate card and weren’t ordering on the QR code but we were sat for at least 10-15 before anyone came over to ask if we wanted drinks or to take our orders. Someone had to get up to ask them to come take our orders and we were told to order on the QR code. Only after explaining we had a corporate card did they come over. They brought us shared dishes but no shared plates so we had to get up and ask for that too. I tried getting 3 different staff members attention to ask for more water to be brought over and only did the third person acknowledge me and held their hand to me (indicating to wait) and walked away but never came over! So had to get up to get more water (only given 2 jugs for a table of 17!) Pretty much had to do everything ourselves. They brought some soft drink over but the waitress accidentally spilt a jug of lemonaid down my colleagues back while leaning over with the coke and while mistakes do happen, she didn’t even apologise or grab napkins to help she quite literally snickered and walked off! I couldn’t believe it. Such a shame because the food was great and the venue was nice too but the wait staff need some serious training, quite a let down and quite embarrassing taking colleagues here.

Meh — A little basic, aggressive security, nothing special food or ambience wise. Way better venues nearby, or in the Rocks.

Never again - impacted negatively on our night out — Popped in for a light meal before heading off to a show - such a letdown that we tried not to impact the show we were attending. Taco meals were terrible - tacos looked like they were deep fried and all greasy and somewhat soggy. The mix on top was somewhat hot, lacked flavour and you could see the oil from the cheeze.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. — Please spend your money elsewhere at establishments that deserve your custom. Awful customer service and extremely aggressive rude staff. As a woman I felt extremely threatened by the bouncers on the door who had no agenda but to exert their dominance. There’s some lovely places in the city, this is not one of them.

Casual Lunch — A casual business lunch, food and service were very good and as one would expect. Service from the bar for both food and drinks

Lively and Friendly — COVID restrictions in place and efficient safe control entry. Socially distanced tables accomodate many patrons. Drinks are reasonably priced and there is a real buzz. Prepare to wait . It will be worth it.

Howard’s Visit — Called for lunch, had Octopus, shredded cabbage, fennel, radish and chilli really good. Came 10 years ago when the EST restaurant was upstairs and considered one of the best restaurant’s in Sydney, due to reopen. Friendly staff, quick service, local ale, good food large portion but music a bit to load. Used to be a department store years ago.

Great Bar — Always find this place busy and vibrant. It’s all about the atmosphere and service. This Bar is consistent with good service and always seems to have a good crowd

Another in the empire — Another restaurant/bar/lounge in Justin's expanding empire. The food and drinks here are just ok. Nothing special so thats where this review ends.

Interesting place and the food was nice — Interesting place as it came in 3 parts: a comfortable lounge area off the street, the bulk of the place was a bar and bar table area, and then there was a patio area outside at the back. Service was satisfactory but bar service. The food came quickly and was very pleasant. Overall, good value and worth a visit.