ANZAC Day is the national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, honouring all who have served in conflicts around the world.
Each year, we pay our respects to soldiers with a dawn service and wreath laying, remembering those who lost their lives in service to our country. In 2025, ANZAC day marks 110 years since Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at Gallipoli.
After rising at dawn for a traditional ceremony, pubs and clubs across the country will open for drinks, food, and games of Two-Up – a classic gambling game involving two coins, which is only legal on ANZAC Day.
If you’re wondering how to celebrate this year, check out this list of the top dawn services and Two-Up spots in Sydney.
Dawn Services
Martin Place
Every year, thousands of Australians travel to the Cenotaph in Martin Place for the dawn service, which starts at 4:20 am. The service includes an Ode of Remembrance, taken from Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem, Last Post bugle call, a minute’s silence, a bugle Reveille, and the laying of the wreaths.
Auslan interpreting will be available on digital screens around the venue, and the service will be broadcast on the ABC.
North Sydney
If you’re over the other side of the Harbour Bridge, the North Sydney War Memorial hosts a dawn service starting at 5:45 am. After the service, breakfast and drinks will be served at The Greens North Sydney, to refuel after an early start to the day.
North Bondi
Starting a bit later at around 5:25 am, this popular service is expected to draw a crowd of 10,000 people. Some surrounding streets will be closed to ensure space for all attendants, who can expect sunrise views over the famous beach as the service draws to a close.
The North Bondi RSL will be open from 9am, but the venue will not be hosting games of Two-Up this year in an attempt to make the day more family friendly.
Cronulla
Head to Cronulla beach park for a dawn service starting at 5:30am, featuring a historic address from the first female Sub-Branch member, Jennie Weir.
Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and rum & milk from nearby Bay Cafe after the service, or find breakfast at several other cafes.
The Cronulla RSL is celebrating its 100th year in 2025, with a Warbird Flypast at 10:40am and Two-Up all day long. There will also be live music, sausage sizzles, and a pop-up bar.
Coogee
At the Goldstein Reserve in Coogee, services will begin at 5:30 am. Attendants can expect a Welcome to Country, prayer, laying of wreaths, Last Post bugle call, minute of silence, and the New Zealand and Australian National anthems in both Gadigal and English.
The service will be livestreamed on the Randwick Council Facebook page for those who can’t attend in person.
Kogarah March
For those who are late to rise, a group will be assembling at Blake Street in Kogarah to begin a march at 7:20 am, followed by an ANZAC Day service. The march ends at the Kogarah Cenotaph, where the commemoration and laying of wreaths takes place.
Afterwards, the Clubhouse will open for drinks and footy.
Two-Ups
Harbord Diggers
Claiming to be the biggest Two-Up venue on the Northern Beaches, Harbord Diggers is always packed on ANZAC Day. It all starts with a march and wreath laying ceremony at 8am, before the games kick off at 12pm.
Attendants will need to purchase a ticket before arriving, with a portion of proceeds going to Veterans charities. Once inside, expect a good atmosphere and plenty of friendly faces.
Neutral Bay Club
Celebrations at the Neutral Bay Club begin with an ANZAC ceremony at 11am. Guests can then join a game of Two-Up on the green from 2pm, while kids spend the afternoon enjoying free tennis coaching from 12-4pm.
Of course, the club will also be serving delicious food specials. It’s known for homemade woodfired pizza, the perfect way to end a long day of remembrance.
The Dolphin
The Dolphin Hotel claims to host the biggest Two-Up ring in Surry Hills, starting at 12pm. Hosted in the Dining Room, it is one of the most popular venues in Sydney, thanks to the ever-flowing Aussie beers and delicious RSL (Rissole) sandwiches. A short menu of pub classics will also be available, and the pub will be collecting donations for Legacy Sydney.
This celebration is walk-in only, so you should plan to arrive early to secure your place.
Public House Petersham
For Two-Up with a different feel, head to the carpark of Public House Petersham, which will be transformed into a Two-Up arena from midday to sundown. The event also includes live music, tap bars, live NRL on the big screen, and food trucks serving delicious meals all day long.
Plus, $1 from every VB sold will be donated to Legacy Australia, the charity supporting families of Veterans.
Felons Manly
Raise a glass to service people at Felons Manly, which will open at 8am. Start with a round of Two-Up, a sausage sizzle on the jetty, and a premium selection of limited release beers on tap.
Live music will kick off from 8pm, to keep the celebration going into the night.
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
At Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, celebrations kick off at 11am. The biggest game of Two-Up in the East will start at 12pm, with the entire street shut down to accommodate for the giant ring.
Exclusive food and drink will also be served all day, including steak sandwiches, ANZAC cheesecake, and pop-up bars. If you’re there after 5pm, expect live DJs and unmissable sunset views over the water. Veterans will also be served pints for schmiddies all day long.
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