NOW EXPERIENCING:The Tocky Terrace at The Toxteth
Friday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Phone
(02) 9660 2370
Website
toxtethhotel.com.au
Instagram
@thetoxteth

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 02 May 2024

By
Alexandra Carlton


View from The Tocky in Sydney's Glebe

This Glebe stalwart has been given an up-top glow-up with a fancy new rooftop terrace bar serving excellent Aussie beers and a drink-friendly menu of pub fare along with knockout views.

Seating at The Tocky Terrace at The Toxteth
Why you goEveryone loves a trusty neighbourhood pub, and The Toxteth – or The Tocky, as it’s affectionately known – has been filling this role for the students, singles, workers and families of Glebe since 1925. The old girl’s had several shine-ups since then, but the latest is perhaps the most exhilarating, with the opening of a new rooftop terrace, which they’re calling – with pleasing frankness – The Tocky Terrace. What was once a sticky-floored sports bar is now a light-drenched pink and green glamourpuss with what could be the best rooftop views in Sydney’s inner west: you can see the noble curves of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Anzac Bridge and the shiny pen-cap spire of Crown Sydney. The drinks and food menus are unashamedly pub-ish – there’s excellent Aussie beers on tap, a drink-friendly menu of the burgers, parmis and pastas variety – and the young and eager staff hold it all together.
What drink to order

The cocktails are taking their role in The Tocky Terrace’s Miami-ish stylings seriously, so expect a lot of pineapple, passionfruit and mint sprigs. That said, the bar team can obviously bust out a classic on request if all that colour and sugar feels a bit frou-frou. Beyond the sweet stuff, The Tocky does beers well (as any pub should) and you can choose from Balter, Young Henrys, Four Pines and Pirate Life on tap. 

The wine list is largely cheap and cheerful – you won’t find much over $100, and many bottles are closer to the $50 mark. Some wise picks include an Astrolabe Pinot Noir from New Zealand, and a Leasingham Riesling from South Australia’s Clare Valley. 

Alcohol-free options also make a strong showing; pick from four fruity mocktails or non-alc beers from Carlton, Heineken and Heaps Normal.

And if you’re in a group, make like your uni student days and grab a jug (or a cocktail carafe if we’re in polite company). The Tocky’s Sangria, vodka-based Sunrise, Pimm’s Cup and Spritz are all solid value for under $40 a pop.

Cocktails served at The Tocky Terrace at The Toxteth
A dish served at The Tocky Terrace at The Toxteth
What to pair it withA smart publican knows that carbs and classics are the best way to fuel a rowdy pub, and as such the food here isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. The parmis are generous, the burgers are bulging and there are chips for days. The celery sticks that come with the Buffalo chicken wings are a nice touch, but a creamy ranch or blue-cheese dressing would finish things off properly. For kids, all the best bits – Bolognese, fish and chips, and burgers, among other favourites – are available at a scaled-down size.
Regular’s tipIt sounds like a small thing, but how many times have you been out for a drink and found your phone has exhausted its battery because you’ve taken too many pics of artfully styled cocktails? At The Tocky they’ve thought this through. Each of the booth seats has a power outlet that accepts both USB-A and USB-C chargers so you can plug in where you’re sitting and keep your Instagram or TikTok account ticking along.
Don’t leave withoutSecure a booking for the generous bottomless brunch that fills the rooftop on both Saturdays and Sundays. For $85, you get a range of shared snacks, steak frites, crab gnocchi and salad, plus all the Mimosas, Bloody Marys, sparkling wine or 4 Pines Pacific Ales you need to ease you into the weekend. Insider tip: don’t even think about trying your luck for the brunch on the spur of the moment without a reservation. The devil works hard, but these truly glorious views work harder, and the better-prepared will have beaten you to the best vantage spots.
Who to takeYour dog. Well, that’s if you’re happy to stay downstairs or at a table outside. Rover and Fido aren’t allowed up to the terrace, but they’ll be well looked-after in the main pub. Otherwise, big groups will love the long central tables, and the comfy booths easily accommodate a gang of four, or six if you squish.
The bar at The Tocky Terrace at The Toxteth