New ranking reveals the best bars in Sydney to watch F1
Publicity Content 05 march,2026
Culture Kings link: https://www.culturekings.com.
A new study by Australian streetwear brand Culture Kings has analysed almost 250 venues across the country, ranking them on screen quality and availability, reputation and reviews, atmosphere, and amenities to uncover the ultimate places to watch F1 in each region.
This weekend, Melbourne, one of the world’s renowned sporting hubs, hosts the opening race of the F1 season, an event that injects $268 million into the Victorian economy each year as fans pack out restaurants and bars.
For fans in Sydney not trackside, picking the right bar is key, because not all venues go the distance. Justin Hillberg, ANZ President at Culture Kings, said:
“Formula 1 has grown far beyond race day. It’s a global cultural moment that brings people together, whether that’s trackside, watching with friends or expressing their passion through what they wear.
“We’re seeing interest in F1 year-round across our ranges and dedicated in-store experiences, and when the season kicks off in Australia, that energy is going to be felt across hospitality and retail. This ranking celebrates the venues that are truly matching the scale, atmosphere and excitement of the sport.
“And if bars aren’t your thing, and you’d rather immerse yourself in the surrounding atmosphere, Culture Kings’ Russell Street or Chadstone stores are bringing race week energy to life with in-store experiences and activations.”
The top 5 ultimate bars in Sydney to watch the F1 in 2026
Churchills Sports Bar has claimed the top spot in Sydney for fans looking to catch the F1 this weekend, and has also been named the best venue in Australia overall to watch the race.
It is followed by The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf in the CBD, Mounties in Mount Pritchard and the Madison Hotel in Surry Hills, giving Harbour City residents plenty of strong options.
| Rank | Name | Suburb | Total Score |
| 1 | Churchills Sports Bar | Kingsford | 89.3 |
| 2 | The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf | Sydney | 75 |
| 3 | Mounties | Mount Pritchard | 73.3 |
| 4 | Madison Hotel | Surry Hills | 63 |
| 5 | Cheers Bar | Sydney | 55.5 |
1) Churchills Sports Bar
With 140 screens, almost three times the amount of the next highest scoring bar, many of them 4K LED, unmatched atmosphere, live commentary and race-worthy refreshments, it’s no surprise that Churchill’s takes top spot. Just 15 minutes from CBD, the bar will be showing the F1 ‘live & loud’ all weekend.
2) The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf
Located right on the harbour, The Sporting Globe King Street Wharf has a huge outdoor area and 50 screens, meaning no one is left straining to catch the race. Consistently commended for its ‘amazing atmosphere’, the bar is a great option for any Sydney fan looking to soak up the action in a lively, waterfront setting.
3) Mounties
With a giant 110-inch screen and more than 40 LCD TVs, Mounties’ Sports Bar delivers a large-scale viewing experience for fans wanting to follow every turn of the race. A staple for live sport in Sydney’s south west, it combines atmosphere, scale and strong hospitality credentials with a 100/100 amenities score and a reputation score of 79/100.
4) Madison Hotel
With 30 screens across two levels and state-of-the-art audio, the Madison Hotel offers an immersive setting for race-day viewing. From its 24-hour Public Bar to its American-style Sports Bar and outdoor terrace upstairs, the Surry Hills venue combines scale, atmosphere and flexibility for fans settling in to watch every lap.
5) Cheers Bar
Described by customers as “a truly classic sports bar”, Cheers Sports Bar & Grill is located in the heart of the Sydney CBD. The multi-level venue is built for live sport, open 24 hours with more than 20 large screens showing major events from around the world. Earning a reputation score of 80 in the study, the venue is recognised for its welcoming service and loyal customer base, with visitors frequently praising its friendly staff and lively atmosphere.
“The growth of Formula 1 shows how sport today sits at the intersection of entertainment and fashion,” added Justin Hillberg, ANZ President at Culture Kings.
“Fans aren’t just tuning in for the race, they’re showing up for the culture around it. Whether that’s what you’re wearing, where you’re watching or who you’re watching with, it’s about being part of something bigger. That’s what makes moments like this so powerful across Australia.”
Methodology
This ranking was compiled on 24 February 2026 using publicly available data from Fanzo and Google Maps. Culture Kings analysed 247 Australian venues listed on Fanzo as showing the 2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. After removing venues that could not be matched with verified Google review data, 234 venues were included in the final analysis.
Venues were assessed using a weighted scoring system out of 100, based on:
- Screen availability (60%) – Total number of screens at each venue, with additional weighting applied to venues featuring projector screens.
- Google reputation (25%) – Combination of Google star rating and total review volume, favouring highly rated venues with a strong number of reviews.
- F1-relevant amenities (15%) – Including large-format screens, outdoor viewing options, live commentary audio, beer gardens and food service.
Venues were categorised by location across six capital city markets, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Gold Coast, as well as a national ranking.
Rankings were determined by total weighted score. In the event of a tie, venues were ranked by highest Google rating, followed by review count, then screen number.
- F1 popularity stats – https://www.formula1.com/en/
latest/article/formula-1s- record-breaking-2025-season- in-numbers. irq7aR8PcyAw7ysO72vJn - F1 impact on economy in Victoria – https://www.premier.vic.gov.
au/delivering-best-formula-1- australian-grand-prix
About Culture Kings
Culture Kings stands at the forefront of a worldwide streetwear phenomenon, showcasing a unique blend of music, sport and fashion. These core foundations represent the three pillars from which Culture Kings is built, bringing an unforgettable atmosphere and exclusive buying experience that makes us world famous for streetwear.
Culture Kings link: https://www.culturekings.com.
