Lines are already wrapping around the block at pubs across Sydney ahead of Anzac Day festivities.
Thousands of Australians are partaking in the time-honoured tradition of heading to the pub this Anzac Day public holiday, with many expected to revel in the once-a-year tradition of playing two-up.
Most pubs are not due to begin play of 2-UP until at least 10am on Thursday, but lines were already growing outside of Sydney’s pubs by 9am, with in-the-know players ensuring they get inside before venues reach capacity.
Bondi Lines – an Instagram page which shares live-updates on the length of lines outside the city’s most popular venues – shared video from outside the Clovelly Hotel in the eastern suburbs from just after 9am, when the pub opened.
They show massive queues already snaking around the building and down the street.
Thousands of people have been up for hours after bracing a chilly dawn start at the cenotaph in Martin Place for NSW’s official Dawn Service.
Two-up is game of chance that was played by soldiers during World War I and has since become a feature of Anzac Day events that pulls huge crowds into beer gardens and pub courtyards.
The game is only legal one day of the year and involves punters betting on the outcome of a heads or tails game.
A Bondi Lines spokesperson said popular venues in the city’s CBD typically hit capacity from about 11am, so its wise to check their site for updates on where there is still room.
This year the team behind Bondi Lines will charter their own helicopter to bring real time videos and information direct to their 110,000 strong Instagram followers.
The helicopter will be departing from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport at 11:30am and will circle Sydney’s skies in the east, city and inner-west suburbs throughout the morning and early afternoon.
They are also hosting a 2-Up boat party on the Harbour from 1pm – 5pm.
Bondi Lines co-founder Callum Weatherall said last year they had over 1 million people turn to them for up to date information on the day.
“We thought we’d take it a step further by chartering the chopper for our Sydney audience on our most in-demand day of the year,” he said.