As the oldest continuously licensed public hotel in Sydney, the Fortune of War is embodied in the history of Sydney.

The Fortune of War has a long term, “colourful” reputation as a popular “first and last stop ashore” for sailors and the troops of the Australian Armed Forces who were to experience the ‘fortune of the war’ when they departed Sydney Cove to defend their country.

Sydney’s Oldest Pub

The Fortune of War was originally built in 1828 by former convict Samuel Terry who later became known as the “Botany Bay Rothschild” due to his astute business dealings.  Samuel Terry arrived in Australia in 1800 after being convicted of the theft of 400 stockings and sentenced to transportation for seven years.

After his sentence Terry moved to Sydney from Parramatta, became an innkeeper and received one of twenty liquor licences granted when they were being curtailed in 1810.

Tooth & Co, the brewery operating in Sydney since 1835, rebuilt the Fortune of War Hotel in 1921.

The Fortune of War has been used as a public house for over 188 years.

Anzac Day

The Fortune of War has a long term reputation as a popular “first and last stop ashore” for sailors and the troops of the Australian Armed Forces who were to experience the ‘fortune of the war’ when they departed Sydney Cove to defend their country.

Members of the 2nd Mountain Battery have met every Anzac Day in The Fortune of War since 1948.  The unit was formed in 1942 and served in Papua New Guinea from 1943.  Following cessation of hostilities in the area they were posted to Japan with the British Occupation Force and later served in Vietnam and Malaysia.

The Fortune of War was suggested as a meeting place after each Anzac Day march by a battery veteran who was employed by the Maritime Services Board across the road from the hotel.

Although most of the battery are no longer with us, The Fortune of War continues to be an Anzac Day meeting place for many veterans and other Australians on one of the country’s most important days.