The Unicorn Hotel, Paddington

The Unicorn Hotel was a beloved pub that fell on hard times before it was taken over and rejuvenated, re-opening at the end of 2015.

The team behind the The Unicorn are also behind the resurrection of another of Sydney’s most loved pubs, The Lansdowne. They’re a bunch of people with fingers in a lot of pies across the Sydney hospitality industry, including Porteño, Mary’s Burgers and Young Henrys (who, naturally, feature on the tap list).

Welcoming & Inclusive

These days The Unicorn prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive pub, open to anyone regardless of how they identify.

While it’s sad that we’re still in a position where venues feel the need to explicitly state a commitment to inclusivity, since the pub should always be a welcoming place for all, it’s good that the team are leading the way in providing a community space that’s open to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Inclusivity isn’t the only defining feature though. Firstly, the fresh look was immediately striking when it re-opened. The aesthetic captures an old, traditional pub vibe but with some prettier, more modern features. It’s not over done or too fancy, which was part of the original intent. It’s defiantly Aussie in its appearance.

One Of Sydney’s Best Schnitties

Then there’s the food and the beer. The beer in particular has become a prominent feature at The Unicorn, with the tap list rotating and getting ever more eclectic.

The Unicorn Hotel is home to one of Sydney’s best chicken schnitzels and it’s the go-to dish if you’re visiting. But there are plenty of traditional snacks that bring to mind suburban Australian life, as well as the classic Mary’s burger on the menu.

The Beer List

The beer line-up is equally sensational with a range of styles from local breweries such as Young Henrys, Batch, The Grifter and more.

While these do sit alongside more mainstream lagers, the pub balances things out with regular beer events. Sometimes there’ll be tap takeovers showcasing excellent breweries from around Australia, while at other times they’ll run a “battle of the bands” style brewery showdown, pitting one brewery against another for the affection and votes of punters.

All up, and as you’d expect from the crew behind the pub, it’s everything that a pub should be. Quality food, excellent beer (and wine and spirits!), positive vibes and a welcoming atmosphere.

Are you a regular at The Unicorn Hotel in Paddington? Leave a comment below and share what you like about the pub.