The Criterion Hotel Sydney

The Criterion Hotel Sydney The Irish population was left badly ravaged. Fever and dysentery were relieved only by a Cholera particularly bad throughout the Limerick area. J.J.

Located in the heart of Sydney City right next to Town Hall Station, our street-level public bar offers relaxed and comfortable surroundings which merge the traditional pub atmosphere with modern-day style. ► The Criterion Hotel - 260 Pitt St Cnr Park Street, Sydney
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The Story Of PJ Gallagher's...

T'was the 1840s, potato famine & disease were savage. Sailing on board the John McIver

, fleeing famine and disease was the family of Gallagher - Lawrence, wife Honarah, and his brother John set off for a new land in 1851, taking naught but the very clothes they wore. John and Lawrence embarked for a distant shore heading for New South Wales, the Sydney Town colony. 6-month-old Mary did not last the journey. Once on shore in a vast new land the Gallaghers became a prosperous clan. Established in Maitland, until in 1854, the Gallaghers moved to south of Dungog in
search of more. In 1853, Lawrence fathered a son, John James, or 'J.J.' as he was to become. A great entrepreneur, J.J. travelled as a young man selling utensils and clothing with his horse and a van. travelled through Dungog, Stroud and the Manning River returning back through Wallamba and Bulladealah. In the 1870's near Larry's Flat, J.J. bought land abound with the hope of establishing a new and prosperous town, now known as Krambach. The Gallaghers poured in, Lawrence and John bought all their kith and kin. He built the first post office in 1881, a general store, slaughterhouse and butchery were to come In 1879. became a married man marrying a girl of Moy, named Mary Anne J.J. then built the town's first hotel and established a large and loyal clientele. For over a decade, Krambach thrived til the railway was built and the population declined. The hotel was then run by Austin, J.J's son, thence Brian, J.J.'s grandson, took over the hotel's run and so tis a tale began in woe and poverty. But a fair land and hard work ended misery. A dynasty began with brothers Lawrence and John and 1000s of pints shared continues four generations on.

Jazz on Thursdays. Acoustic sessions on Fridays. Live music in the basement every week from 7pm. Pull up a seat, order a...
16/07/2026

Jazz on Thursdays. Acoustic sessions on Fridays. Live music in the basement every week from 7pm. Pull up a seat, order a drink and stay a while.

260 Pitt St, Sydney CBD.

Step away from the rush of the CBD and settle into the Basement.Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday from 5–7pm, with live m...
13/07/2026

Step away from the rush of the CBD and settle into the Basement.

Happy Hour runs Monday to Friday from 5–7pm, with live music from 7pm every Thursday and Friday.

Every reason to stay a while.

260 Pitt St, Sydney

09/07/2026

The Blues took it home and The Criterion was the place to be in the CBD to watch it all live and loud!

04/07/2026

The Criterion has had a revamp.

Upstairs, the main bar is your spot in the heart of the CBD for all things sport, bistro favourites and pub drinks.

Downstairs in the basement, settle in and stay a while with live music every Thursday and Friday from 7pm, perfect spot to catch up and come in for after work drinks.

New spaces, same Criterion.

Come see it for yourself.

Downstairs in The Basement, from 7pm. Live jazz Thursdays, acoustic sessions Fridays.The kind of place you’ll want to st...
01/07/2026

Downstairs in The Basement, from 7pm. Live jazz Thursdays, acoustic sessions Fridays.

The kind of place you’ll want to stay a while.

Criterion Hotel, Sydney CBD.

Book your spot today and let us handle the details. Whether it’s a casual meal, a celebration, or a night out, we’ll make your experience seamless from start to finish.

The Thursday schnitzel. Chicken, mash, slow-cooked peas, gravy, lemon and parmesan. $20.Bistro open 12pm–9pm daily.Crite...
30/06/2026

The Thursday schnitzel. Chicken, mash, slow-cooked peas, gravy, lemon and parmesan. $20.

Bistro open 12pm–9pm daily.

Criterion Hotel, Sydney CBD.

We've got a new drinks menu and a Happy Hour worth finishing work on time for.Mon–Fri 5–7pm. $7 beers & house wine, $10 ...
28/06/2026

We've got a new drinks menu and a Happy Hour worth finishing work on time for.

Mon–Fri 5–7pm. $7 beers & house wine, $10 pints, $15 classic cocktails.

Criterion Hotel, Sydney CBD.

Introducing our Weekly What's On.Happy Hour, Mon–Fri 5–7pm. $7 beers & house wine, $10 pints, $15 classic cocktails.Wed ...
26/06/2026

Introducing our Weekly What's On.

Happy Hour, Mon–Fri 5–7pm. $7 beers & house wine, $10 pints, $15 classic cocktails.

Wed — Wagyu rump, $24.
Thur — $22 Parmi or $20 Schnitty. Jazz from 7pm downstairs.
Fri — Live music from 7pm.

Criterion Hotel, Sydney CBD.

24/06/2026

WFH? We call it Work From Here.

Free WiFi, bistro from 11am and Australia vs Paraguay kicking off from 12pm, all in the heart of the CBD at The Criterion.

See you on Friday.

23/06/2026

What’s new at The Criterion?

We’ve had a refresh across the main bar, bistro and basement.
Happy hour Monday to Friday, live sport on the big screens, kitchen specials Wednesday and Thursday and live music Thursday and Friday from 7pm.

Come see it for yourself. Corner of Pitt and Park St, Sydney CBD.

21/06/2026

Before & after.

Things have changed at the Criterion. Come see what we’ve been up to.
Whether you’re after the biggest sport live and loud in the main bar, or looking to escape downstairs to the basement for after-work drinks. 

5-7pm Happy Hour, Monday to Friday.
Live music, Thursday & Friday from 7pm.
Food specials all day, Wednesday & Thursday.

Criterion Hotel, 260 Pitt St Sydney CBD.

LiveMusic ArtDeco

19/06/2026

Things are moving at The Criterion.

From the 23rd, we’re bringing in a fresh new food and beverage menu, opening up our new spaces, and adding live music every Thursday and Friday night from 7pm.

New plates, new pours, new places to settle in, and plenty more to come.

Stay tuned…

15/06/2026

Good things take time. While the crew trains up behind the scenes, the Criterion is getting a fresh new look and everything you’d want from a proper pub; great food, cold beers and good times.

From 23rd June, pull up a stool and see what’s new. You’ll find us on the corner of Pitt & Park St.

Address

260 Pitt St Cnr Park Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4am
Tuesday 9am - 4am
Wednesday 9am - 4am
Thursday 9am - 4am
Friday 9am - 4am
Saturday 9am - 4am
Sunday 9am - 4am

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