Beer Crawls For All is our series of craft beer crawls where everyone gets a beer, including gluten free drinkers. Every stop pours or sells TWØBAYS gluten free beer, so nobody is stuck on chardonnay while their mates work through the tap list.
Next stop: Newtown, the beating heart of Sydney's Inner West. This gluten free beer crawl takes in five venues along King Street in just 850 m of flat walking, the shortest crawl in the series so far. It starts with beers-meets-tapas at Uncanny and finishes in one of the best beer gardens in Sydney at the Courthouse Hotel.
The Newtown gluten free beer crawl at a glance
- Stops: 5 venues
- Total walking: about 850 m, mostly flat (roughly 13 minutes on foot, spread across the day)
- Start: Uncanny, 349 King St (about 2 minutes from Newtown station)
- Finish: Courthouse Hotel, 202 Australia St (about 5 minutes' walk back to Newtown station)
- Best days: Saturday and Sunday. Odd Culture is closed Monday and Tuesday and Uncanny is closed Monday. On weekdays, both open around 4pm.
- Suggested timing: Start around 1pm on a Saturday and settle into the Courthouse beer garden for dinner by about 5pm.
Walking route map
Here's the full walking route, from Uncanny to the Courthouse Hotel.
Open the walking route in Google Maps →
| Leg | From → To | Distance | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrive | Newtown station → Uncanny | ~150 m | ~2 min |
| 1 | Uncanny → The Bank Hotel | ~200 m | ~3 min |
| 2 | The Bank Hotel → Odd Culture | ~300 m | ~4 min |
| 3 | Odd Culture → Kelly's on King | ~150 m | ~2 min |
| 4 | Kelly's on King → Courthouse Hotel | ~200 m | ~3 min |
| Home | Courthouse Hotel → Newtown station | ~400 m | ~5 min |
Getting there and home by public transport
Getting to the start
- Train: Newtown station sits right on King Street, next door to The Bank Hotel, and is on the T2 line. Uncanny is about 2 minutes' walk away on the other side of King Street.
- Bus: Several buses run along King Street from the city, including route 423 from Martin Place.
Getting home from the finish
- From the Courthouse, it's about a 5-minute walk back to Newtown station, or to the King Street bus stops for buses back into the city.
Services change often, so check transportnsw.info or the Opal Travel app on the day.
Where to eat gluten free on the crawl
This crawl has a food stop at each end, and both are on the route:
- At the start: Uncanny. The Mediterranean tapas menu is built to cater to a range of dietary needs, and Uncanny is listed as a gluten free friendly bar. Share a few plates to line the stomach before the crawl, and ask staff which dishes are gluten free on the day.
- At the finish: the Courthouse Hotel. This classic pub has several gluten free options on the menu, and you can eat them out in the beer garden. The kitchen runs until 9pm Friday and Saturday and 8:30pm on Sunday.
Neither has a dedicated gluten free kitchen, so tell staff you're coeliac at both.
The stops
Stop 1: Uncanny
349 King St, Newtown · Closed Mondays, opens 4pm Tue–Fri, from 12pm Sat–Sun
We start at Uncanny, a small bar with a big personality, a colourful mural and a seasonal Mediterranean tapas menu. It's known for its cocktails, but grab a TWØBAYS and a few plates to share and you're set for the afternoon.
Stop 2: The Bank Hotel
324 King St, Newtown · Walk: ~200 m / ~3 min, across King St · Open daily
The Bank is a Newtown institution right next to the station. It has plenty of room inside and a leafy outdoor garden out the back that stays cool on hot days. Grab a TWØBAYS and find a spot outside.
Stop 3: Odd Culture
266 King St, Newtown · Walk: ~300 m / ~4 min, north along King St · Closed Mon–Tue, from 4pm Wed–Thu, from 12pm Fri–Sun
Odd Culture is a stylish King Street bar with a big drinks list and a relaxed, grown-up feel. It's a good spot to slow the pace down with a TWØBAYS.
Stop 4: Kelly's on King
283–285 King St, Newtown · Walk: ~150 m / ~2 min, just back across King St · Open daily
Kelly's is a proper Newtown pub, with live local music, trivia nights and a loyal crowd of regulars. Order a TWØBAYS at the bar and see who's playing.
Stop 5: Courthouse Hotel
202 Australia St, Newtown · Walk: ~200 m / ~3 min, around the corner onto Australia St · Open daily
The finish line is the "Courty", and it's worth saving for last. The Courthouse is home to one of Sydney's best-loved beer gardens: a big, laid-back backyard courtyard where locals, dogs and footy fans spend whole afternoons. Grab a TWØBAYS, claim a table outside and stay for dinner.
After the crawl: dinner in the Courthouse beer garden
Order from the Courthouse's classic pub menu, which has several gluten free options, and eat out in the beer garden. Tell staff you're coeliac when you order and ask how dishes are prepared. Diners report that it's gluten free friendly but not a dedicated gluten free kitchen.
- Kitchen hours: Mon–Thu 12pm–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 12pm–8:30pm
- Bookings: Recommended for groups, especially on weekends and footy days
Tips for a gluten free beer crawl
- Always ask for TWØBAYS by name. Most craft beers are brewed with barley or wheat. "Gluten reduced" isn't the same as gluten free. TWØBAYS is brewed without any gluten-containing grains.
- Tell every kitchen you're coeliac. None of these venues has a dedicated gluten free kitchen.
- Pace yourself. The walks are short, so it's easy to go too fast. Drink water between venues and eat at Uncanny and again at the Courthouse.
- Check opening hours on the day, especially Monday to Thursday.
- Leave the car at home. The crawl starts and finishes a few minutes from Newtown station.
FAQs
Where can I drink gluten free beer in Newtown?
Uncanny, The Bank Hotel, Odd Culture, Kelly's on King and the Courthouse Hotel all pour or sell TWØBAYS gluten free beer, and together they make up this walking crawl along King Street.
How long is the Newtown beer crawl?
It's about 850 m of flat walking between five venues, or roughly 13 minutes on foot. With a drink at each stop, tapas at the start and dinner at the end, allow 5–6 hours.
Does the Courthouse Hotel Newtown have a beer garden?
Yes. The Courthouse Hotel on Australia Street has one of Sydney's best-loved beer gardens, a large, relaxed backyard courtyard where you can eat and drink.
How do I get to Newtown by public transport?
Catch a T2 train to Newtown station on King Street, or a bus along King Street from the city, such as the 423 from Martin Place. The crawl starts about 2 minutes from the station.
Is TWØBAYS beer gluten free?
Yes. TWØBAYS is an Australian craft brewery that only makes gluten free beer, brewed without barley, wheat or rye.
More Beer Crawls For All: check out our Marrickville, Surry Hills and Bondi gluten free beer crawls. Know a venue that pours TWØBAYS and should be on the next crawl? Tell us on Instagram. Can't make it to Newtown? Shop TWØBAYS online.
