The Rocks was infamous for its pubs. By the mid-19th century, dozens of taverns dotted the narrow streets, from the Lord Nelson Hotel to the Fortune of War; pubs which have been continuously licensed for almost 200 years.

These establishments were the life blood of the community, serving as gathering places for sailors, labourers, and locals alike.

But with the revelry came danger. The alleys of The Rocks, such as the infamous Suez Canal laneway, were dark and treacherous. Press gangs prowled these narrow passages, snatching unsuspecting men and forcing them into service aboard ships.

The term ‘shanghaied’ became synonymous with these practices, as many woke up at sea, far from the safety of The Rocks.