White Horse Surry Hills Review: $6M Renovation & History

Q: What is the best street in Surry Hills?

Crown Street is the main dining and drinking strip, while Bourke Street offers quieter cafe culture and boutique shops. Both are walkable from the White Horse.

The White Horse, a Surry Hills pub that first opened in the 1930s, re-emerged in April 2024 after a reported $6 million renovation that turned the old public bar into a ground-floor restaurant and moved the pub upstairs. This review draws on local journalism, official sources, and traveller feedback to help you understand what the reborn venue offers, who runs it, and whether it lives up to the hype. Source: Good Food, The Sydney Morning Herald

Last checked: 2026-10-21

Venue: The White Horse (formerly White Horse Hotel) · Location: 381 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW · Type: Pub, Australian, Gastropub · Current status: Open Wednesday–Sunday from 5pm (since April 2024)

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-10-21.

Sources reviewed: Official venue website, Good Food Sydney Morning Herald, Time Out Sydney, The Local Project, TripAdvisor, Destination NSW, Wikipedia.

What we did not do: no on-site visit, no staff interview, no real‑time price verification.

By Hotel Australia | Updated 22 February 2025

Snapshot

1 Venue identity

Located at 381 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010 (The White Horse)

2 Renovation

$6 million redevelopment completed April 2024 (Time Out Sydney)

3 Design

Interiors by Farago Han Studio (The Local Project)

4 Cuisine

Progressive Australian produce with chefs Jed Gerrard & Jun Hwang (Destination NSW)

Key facts

Venue	The White Horse (formerly White Horse Hotel)
Location	381 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW
Tpe	Pub, Australian, Gadstropub
Current status	Open Wednesday–Sunday from 5pm (since April 2024)

Who owns the White House Hotel in Surrry Hills?

The latest redevelopment is led by hospitality veteran Craig Hemmings, whose previous roles include senior positions at Quay, Bilson’s and Chin Chin (Time Out Sydney). Hemmings partnered with silent investors to acquire control of the venue before the 2024 makeover.

Background of the ownership

Precision Group reportedly bought the hotel for $7.5 million in 2005 (Wikipedia). By 2023, Hemmings and his partners had taken over, steering a major capital investment. The current ownership structure is not publicly detailed beyond Hemmings’ role as director.

Hospo talent at the helm

Chefs Jed Gerrard and Jun Hwang oversee the kitchen. Destination NSW describes the food concept as “progressive and creative”, built on ethically sourced Australian produce.

We’re thrilled to bring the old girl back to life.
— Craig Hemmings, director of the White Horse redevelopment

Why is the White Horse Tavern famous?

Historical fame

The venue has operated as a piano bar, brasserie, and live-music room over its nearly 90-year history. Its most recognisable feature—the large rearing horse sculpture on the roof—was installed around 2004 and created by Scottish artist Andy Scott. The hotel was built when Surry Hills was a working‑class suburb, and its evolution mirrors the neighbourhood’s gentrification.

2024 reopening buzz

The $6 million renovation shifted the public bar upstairs and turned the ground floor into a restaurant designed by Farago Han Studio. Time Out called it “the White Horse is back and better than ever,” wwhile Good Food’s critic judged it “the pub’s most delicious iteration yet”.

The new-look White Horse is the pub’s most delicious iteration yet.
— Besha Rodell, Good Food critic

Why this matters: The reopening has repositioned the venue as a dining destination rather than a traditional pub, drawing a mix of locals and food‑focused visitors.

White Horse Surry Hills history

Original construction in the 1930s

The White Horse Hotel was built in the 1930s on Crown Street in what was then a working‑class industrial area. It served as a blue‑collar pub for decades before its first major makeover.

2004 refurbishment

A 2004 renovation added a new bar and brasserie. During this period the rooftop horse sculpture was installed, reportedly fabricated in Scotland, shipped in pieces and assembled on‑site.

2024 renovation and reopening

In 2024, after a period serving craft beer, whisky and pizza, the hotel closed for a “complete overhaul” led by Craig Hemmings. The $6 million project, designed by Farago Han Studio, retained the heritage white facade while reconfiguring all levels: ground‑floor restaurant, upper‑floor public bar, outdoor garden terrace and inteimate function room. It reopened in April 2024.

Timeline of key milestones

1930s: Original pub constuction.
2004: Bar and brasserie added; rooftop horse installed.
2005: Precision Group reports purchase for $7.5 million.
2014: Refurbishment of lounge, restaurant, function room, roof terrace.
Early 2023: Craig Hemmings takes control.
April 2024: Venue reopens after $6 million renovation.

White Horse Surry Hills reviews

TripAdvisor rating and comments

At the time of research, TripAdvisor showed a 4.6 out of 5 rating based on nine reviews (TripAdvisor). Reviewers praised the food, service and renovated decor, though the sample sie is small and may not represent broader sentiment.

Instagram and social buzz

Official Instagram and Facebook accounts showcase design detail and dish photography. Time Out awarded a 5‑star rating in June 2024, and the venue has been featured in design‑focused media such as The Local Project.

The White Horse is back and better than ever.
— Time Out Sydney

The catch: With fewer than a dozen TripAdvisor entries, the user‑review picture is still emerging. Early coverage from established critics is overwhelmingly positive.

Practical information and verdict

Venue specifications

Cuisine	Progressive Australian, ethically sourced
Hours (as of July 2024)	Dinner Wednesday–Sunday from 5:30pm; lunchr Friday–Sunday from 12pm (Event pack)
Price range (TripAdvisor)	$$ – $$$
Wine by the glass	Every glass under $20 (Time Out review, June 2024)
Key designers	Farago Han Studio (interiors); 360 Degrees (landscape)
Chefs	Jed Gerrard & Jun Hwang

Pricing

The venue is positioned as a mid‑to‑upper‑price pub restaurant. The Sydney Morning Herald noted that dishes could appear on tasting menus costing “roughly twice as much”, yet Time Out praised the wine list for keeping every by‑the‑glass option under $20. Expect main courses in the $30‑$40+ range.

Location and how to get there

Address: 381 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010. The venue is a short walk from Central Station and served by bus routes along Crown Street and Elizabeth Street. Street parking is limited; ride‑share and public transport are recommended.

Pros and cons

Pro: Design‑driven interiors and a heritage facade retained.
Pro: “Tasting‑menu quality” food at pub‑adjacent pricng (per multiple critics).
Pro: Progressively priced wine llst; every glass under $20.
Con: Small TripAdvisor sample (9 reviews) makes it hard to gauge consistency.
Con: Limited opening hours (closed Monday–Tuesday, lunch only Fri–Sun).
Con: No street‑parking guarantee; indoor/outdoor terrace may be weather‑dependent.

Our pick

For whom: Foodies who want refined Australian cuisine in a setting that retains pub character without the sticky floor. History buffs will appreciate the 90‑year story behind the rooftop horse. Nightlife seekers should visit Thursday–Saturday for the upstairs bar and terrace.

Who might skip: Anyone seeking a classic dive bar or cheap meals; this is an elevated gastropub with matching prices.