Pub Grub: Kelly's On King

285 King Street,
Newtown, NSW
(02) 9565 2288

Bar side

Always packed with revelers, in the courtyard or in the main bar, Kelly’s stays open until 3am Monday to Friday, and until 4am on Saturdays. You’ll find a chum or two drinking into the wee hours any night of the week, and the regular clientele are happy to sit and have a yarn with you too. With cosy interiors and that old-style pub charm, Kelly’s is the place to warm up on a cold winter’s night, whether that be at themed trivia, playing in the pool comp, or chilling out listening to live music/some out-of-tune karaoke. 

Kelly’s offers old-fashioned, hearty, home-cooked meals, just like (or maybe better than) what your mother makes. That’s all thanks to chef Tapu, who keeps the kitchen open until 10pm every day, believing that the community should stay sated and well fed. The shepherd’s pie served with green beans will fill you right up, as will the mighty mixed grill – bacon, steak, sausage, mushroom, tomato, lamb cutlet, chips and eggs all on one plate for only $18. Or you can grab a regular steak, burger, parma or pasta, and a roast on the weekends. The best deal? If you come in one morning with a bit of a hangover, never fear, there’s a recovery breakfast for you (bacon, sausage, mushrooms, has brown, tomato, scrambled eggs and toast) which comes with a Bloody Mary for $20. Talk about hair of the dog!

And on drinks? Kelly’s specialty beers are of course, Irish: Guinness and Kilkenny. They’re traditionalists.

Fun fact

Kelly’s On King was first opened in 1859, but went by the name Cottage Of Content Hotel. And then it was The Cricketer’s Arms Hotel, and then it was a McDonald’s. (You might be able to tell from the tiles!)

Our deal

$4 house beer and wine for happy hour, Monday to Friday, 5-7pm. Weekly bistro specials and $10 lunch specials. $15 Sunday roast.