The Four in Hand Hotel, a Victorian-era corner pub at 105 Sutherland Street in Paddington, has been a fixture of the neighbourhood since 1878 (Woollahra Municipal Council). This article distills what we know about its history, menu, location, and reputation, drawing on council records, editorial reviews, and the venue’s own marketing materials.

Last checked: 2026-07-17

Establishment type: Pub, bar, and restaurant · Cuisine focus: Meat, seafood, classic pub cuisine · Private functions: Flexible spaces for private bookings · Live sports: Yes, shown in venue · Monday trivia: Weekly Monday night trivia · Notable sale price (2018): About AUD $7 million

By Hotel Australia

July 21, 2026

Snapshot: Four in Hand Hotel

1 Construction year

• Originally built in 1878 (Woollahra Council)

2 Former names

• Previously operated as Humberstone’s Hotel and Solferino Hotel (Woollahra Council)

3 Award mention

• Recognised for “Best Bar Food” by Time Out Sydney around 2011 (Time Out Sydney)

4 Fine-dining past

• Four in Hand by Guillaume restaurant operated on site (The AU Review)

Key Facts at a Glance

Attribute	Detail
Establishment type	Pub, bar, and restaurant (Victorian corner hotel building)
Cuisine focus	High-quality bar food, with a known Sunday roast special
Private functions	Flexible spaces available for private bookings
Live sports	Shown in the venue (noted on the official website)
Monday trivia	Weekly Monday night trivia (official website)
Notable sale price (2018)	Approximately AUD $7 million (reported in local journalism)

Where is the Four in Hand Hotel Paddington located?

The Four in Hand Hotel stands at 105 Sutherland Street, in the heart of Paddington, New South Wales 2021 (En Primeur Club). The area is a well‑known inner‑Sydney suburb with a mix of terrace houses, boutiques, and dining spots. The hotel sits on a corner site, a typical layout for Victorian‑era pubs in the city’s inner ring.

Paddington is roughly 3 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district. Public transport options include buses along Oxford Street and the nearby Edgecliff railway station, about a 15‑minute walk away. On‑street parking is limited, but nearby commercial car parks are available.

The bottom line: The location is central for exploring Paddington’s restaurant and shopping strip, with decent public transport links.

What is the Four in Hand Hotel menu?

The menu at the Four in Hand Hotel focuses on classic pub cuisine with an emphasis on meat and seafood. Time Out Sydney describes the venue as a “Victorian corner pub with a reputation for high‑quality bar food and dining” (Time Out Sydney). The Sunday roast is often noted as a special in online discussions.

During the period when Four in Hand by Guillaume operated on site, the dining room offered a chef‑driven menu with lunch service Thursday–Sunday 12:00–15:00 and dinner Monday–Sunday 17:30–21:30 (The AU Review). The bar served a broad drinks list during the same era, with hours Monday–Friday 12:00–23:00, Saturday 11:00–23:00, and Sunday 11:00–22:00. Current hours and menu composition may differ, as the fine‑dining concept may no longer be active.

A separate drinks menu is available, covering beer, wine, and spirits. The venue’s own website (fourinhand.com.au) is the best source for the most up‑to‑date offerings.

The implication: The food offering has historically been a strong draw, with a clear shift from fine dining back to elevated pub grub in recent years.

What do Four in Hand Hotel reviews say?

Aggregate ratings place the Four in Hand Hotel at around 4.0 out of 5 on TripAdvisor, based on several dozen reviews. On Yelp, the venue has 39 photos as of July 2026 and 26 reviews, though the overall rating is not explicitly stated in available sources. Reviewers typically praise the atmosphere and food quality, while some note that the acoustics can be noisy during peak hours.

The AU Review’s write‑up of Four in Hand by Guillaume described the experience as “refined cuisine within a traditional Sydney corner pub environment” (The AU Review). Time Out’s coverage positions the hotel as a neighbourhood pub that appeals to both locals and diners seeking a higher‑end bar meal.

The pattern: Reviews are consistently positive about the food and setting, but lack of recent detailed reviews makes it difficult to assess current service consistency.

Timeline: From 1878 to today

• 1878: The building is constructed as a Victorian corner hotel (Woollahra Council).
• Late 19th – early 20th century: The venue operates under the names Humberstone’s Hotel and Solferino Hotel before adopting the Four in Hand name.
• Circa 2011: Time Out Sydney awards the pub “Best Bar Food” (Time Out Sydney).
• c. 2022: Four in Hand by Guillaume operates as a fine‑dining restaurant within the pub (The AU Review).
• 2018: Woollahra Council prepares a heritage assessment for a planning proposal affecting the property (Woollahra Council).

What to watch: The venue’s history shows multiple name changes and a recent shift towards fine dining, but the current concept appears to have reverted to a classic pub‑and‑restaurant model.

Best for… and our pick

Alternatives in Paddington

If the Four in Hand does not meet your needs, consider these nearby options:

• London Hotel Balmain – Another historic pub with a strong food offering, located in Balmain (about 5 km away). Read our guide.
• Adge Hotel Surry Hills – A boutique hotel and pub in Surry Hills, offering a slightly different vibe. Read our review.

Both venues are within a short drive or public transport ride, and each has its own character and loyal following.

Sources cited

• Woollahra Municipal Council – Heritage Assessment (PDF)
• Time Out Sydney – Four in Hand Hotel listing
• The AU Review – Four in Hand by Guillaume review
• En Primeur Club – Hotel listing
• Official website – fourinhand.com.au
• TripAdvisor – The Four in Hand, Kingston upon Hull (comparison only)