Sailors used the home until 1980, but the building now houses a restaurant.

In 1859, a provisional committee of citizens was formed with the object of building a Sailors' Home in Sydney to provide them with comfortable accommodation while the seamen were on shore.

In 1860, land in George Street North in the Rocks area of Sydney was designated as a suitable site and construction began in 1863, using a design similar to sailors' homes in other seaports.

The original name for Sailors home is Seamen's Mission, but it changed to avoid the pun.

In 2002, Sailors Home was changed to The Australian Mariners' Welfare Society.