HOTEL GOSFORD

Hotel Gosford has been a cornerstone of the Central Coast for almost a century. The heritage-listed waterhole underwent a stunning revamp and extension in 2022; its brooding Art Deco design paying homage to its 1926 roots. Rich dark timbers, ambient lighting, brass accents and leather seating create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. At the heart of the hotel, Earl’s Kitchen is a relaxed dining space with a menu created around local produce. There are small and large signature plates – Korean fried chicken, pan fried wild-caught salmon – a chargrill menu, and pub classics such as chicken schnitzel and a classic beef burger. The extensive beverage list features 32 tap beers, a whisky vault with optional whisky flights, and creative cocktails including seven types of margaritas. This social hotspot is happening every Friday with Pub Troppo, a reincarnation of the former iconic nightclub. 

THE BEACHCOMBER, Toukley

Emerging from a dramatic revamp in 2021, The Beachie at Toukley was relaunched sporting a chic Hamptons look, a fresh lick of white paint, rattan furnishings and striped umbrellas lining the waterfront. Set on the shores of Budgewoi Lake, this drinking and dining destination comprises boutique accommodation and a beach-club-style pool. Come for a meal – perhaps a parmi or a hand-stretched pizza – at the bistro that spills out onto a large deck with water views, relax with your family on the lakefront lawn area while the kids enjoy the playground, or book a table at refined restaurant, Pelicans, upstairs. Settle in for live music every Friday night and DJs on Saturdays. 

THE ENTRANCE SOCIAL CLUB

After a multi-million-dollar investment, The Entrance Social Club was transformed into a chic social hang-out, a stone’s throw from The Entrance waterfront. Inside, Mrs May Bistro & Bar is all stylish curves, gold accents and soft neutral colours, with a pavilion warmed by a fireplace in winter. The menu here spans pub classics such as a steak sanga and fish and chips, as well as tacos, fresh salads and a grill selection. Sports fans are glued to their seats in Taffy’s sports bar, which has booths with personal TVs to watch all the big games from NRL to NBL. With a retractable roof, the outdoor beer garden is the perfect spot for year-round drinks, with live music on weekends. 

THE BOATHOUSE, Patonga

Hidden away in the beachside hamlet of Patonga, where fishing boats bob and well-worn dinghies are pulled up on the sand, The Boathouse makes the perfect destination for long, lazy lunches in the sunshine. It was given a huge refurb in 2018 and was reopened with a chic nautical theme adorned with paintings of marine life, and lobster pots for pendant lights. The menu features a generous helping of seafood, plus burgers, pasta and pizza. The main courtyard is the place to nab a seat, relaxing with a Patonga Margarita under Norfolk pines strung with festoon lighting. Breakfast is also on the menu and live music adds to the chilled ambience on weekends. 

THE BAYVIEW, Woy Woy

Overlooking tranquil Brisbane Water, The Bayview has been pouring beers since the turn of the 20th century. In 2017, the historic pub reopened after an extensive makeover, reemerging as a chic and stylish establishment – and consequently being awarded the Best Regional Pub in NSW at the AHA Awards the following year. The interiors have a warm yet industrial feel throughout its bars and bistro, and a menu featuring pizza, seafood and classics. Frankie’s Rooftop is an idyllic perch to soak up dappled sunlight and water views during the day and a happening spot come nighttime, with bar bites available. Thursdays are a blast with drag bingo, DJS play on Fridays and there are live bands on Saturdays. 

THE LAKES HOTEL, The Entrance

A stalwart of The Entrance since 1940, The Lakes Hotel is a heritage-listed establishment that recently underwent a refresh. Headed by Bergstrom Architects, who are also behind Hotel Gosford’s new look, the contemporary design includes a calming coastal palette, timber features, oversized pendant lights, a stunning emerald marble bar and greenery. Its executive chef Paul is an AHA award winner, whose menu features pub faves, seafood, burgers and salads. Come for Trivia Tuesdays, Karaoke Fridays or DJs on Saturdays. Bateau Bay Hotel

BATEAU BAY HOTEL

Earlier this year, Bateau Bay Hotel reopened after a huge and very exciting revamp. Its fresh new white façade transports visitors to Palm Springs and, inside, the bistro has the same tropical vibe with palm frond carpet, velvet blush-coloured booths and greenery. While outside there’s a huge undercover area with festoon lighting at night and canary-coloured umbrellas, a big screen and an incredible playground for the kiddos. The menu features a large pizza selection, burgers, salads and slow-cooked barbecue boards to share. There’s live music every Sunday and free kids’ face painting on weekends to keep the whole family entertained. 

RAILWAY HOTEL, Gosford

Located directly across from Gosford Railway Station, this hotel is a nod to the establishments that sprang up across the country during the railway boom of the 19th century. Owned by The John Singleton Group, the space was originally The Bon Pavilion but was reimagined in 2022. The elegant hotel design boasts timber features, patterned tiles and decorative historic photographs. With a steakhouse menu, you can choose from premium cuts of meat, as well as beloved dishes with bangers and mash, steak and Guinness pie and beer battered fish. On Sundays, the Signature Railway Roast is a homey option. 

The beverages include 20 beers on tap, an impressive wine list and signature railway-themed cocktails such as Coco-Motive and First Class. Watch all your favourite sporting matches on the big screen in the sports bar, where on Fridays during NRL season if Singo’s tip scores, he puts $1,000 on the bar for two hours after the try has been scored to shout the crowd (some terms and conditions do apply). 

BUDGEWOI HOTEL

Affectionately known as The Budgie, this iconic local watering hole has been given a major glow-up. Its ground floor bistro – which serves burgers, pizzas and classics such as surf and turf, and beer battered fish and chips – is warm and cosy in a subtle green and timber design. Its outdoor deck is perfect for year-round drinks, thanks to its retractable roof and blinds, and is the setting for live music every weekend. While upstairs, Lago Cucina is a chic Mediterranean restaurant that’s perfect for a long lunch or romantic dinner – think pizza, pasta, antipasti and share plates. 

TERRIGAL HOTEL

Almost two decades ago, the newly rebuilt Terrigal Hotel wowed pub-goers and became an award-winning hotspot for young and old alike. It has recently undergone another refresh by its new owners, Gallagher Hotels, most notably the addition of the huge outdoor screen in its beer garden. The bistro menu is filled with hearty options, from a steak sanga to a wood-fired oven chook, and lighter options such as a tuna sashimi bowl. Make a beeline for happy hour on Saturdays from 3–5pm (or 4–6pm Monday to Friday) and stay for the regular live music on weekends. 

EMPIRE BAY TAVERN

‘The Tav’ is a much-loved family friendly establishment that was given an uber-chic spruce up earlier this year. The hero of the space is its 13-metre-long bar, refreshed with terracotta tiles and terrazzo bench. The space is warm and welcoming, with the addition of velvet and leather seating and soft lighting features throughout, including two large parasol installations above the bistro. While the aesthetics have been amped up, the menu still features much-loved classics such as steak, parmi or beer-battered market fish. Enjoy inside or on the outdoor terrace, close to the kids’ playground. 

ELANORA HOTEL, East Gosford

Since 1957, the Elanora – or The Elly as it’s known by regulars – has been the social heart of East Gosford. The family owned pub was purchased by The John Singleton Group five years ago and was given a sleek makeover throughout its bars and brasserie, with timber, black and brass features, new carpet and custom furnishings. 

The award-winning menu, which won the AHA Best Steak award for 2023, has much-loved classics alongside an array of flavours from Korea, China, Nepal and Thailand – such as Kathmandu Curry and Bibimbap-style Bowls. The transformation will continue with a renovation of the sports bar coming soon, as well as the addition of four-star accommodation, a new bottle shop and bigger beer garden. Watch this space.