Where everybody knows your name - Sydney Restaurants and Bars - Eat Drink
From morning to midnight and back again, EAT/DRINK is TwoThousand's guide to cafes, bars and restaurants in Sydney. We know the best coffee because we drink 20 a day (each), we know the good restaurants because we can't cook, and we'll tell you where to find hidden bars and other places that still let you smoke so that we can ask you for a cigarette when you get there. EAT/DRINK is as voracious as our appetites and a much better filter than our livers, which stopped working a long time ago. Email your EAT/DRINK suggestions to: talk@twothousand.com.au
Shady Pines Saloon
An oft-had discussion in my house goes like this:
"Seriously, there are no bars here like American bars."
"I know, where it's all dark, and you sit at the bar and just shoot the shit."
"Exactly - let's just open one."
"Well why not?" Etc.
That conversation has now been shot.
The Lord Wolseley Hotel
I was down in Pyrmont to check out a new joint which opened with zero fanfare and no net presence, which is a rarity. And it was good, but being only a week old, they wanted to stay under the radar. Because we're not entirely ruthless scoop-whores I had to respect that.* Somewhat deflated, I kicked rocks back towards Fernside.
Sticky
As a sprouting youth obsessed by secret corridors, tunnels and labyrinths, the illusive nature of entry to this here bar really turned me on. One arrives to a back alley door instructing you to notify Michael or Benito of your presence. Post a patient wait, you are warmly greeted by said gentlemen and ushered into the elevator.
The Rum Diaries
It's something pretty special when you walk into a bar, take a seat, and a couple of minutes later the bar owner sits down and talks you through the menu.
Welcome to The Rum Diaries, your new local (yup, even if you live in Surry Hills).
For the past two months owners James, Mark and the gang have been painting, plastering, scouring the Mitchell Road Auction House and importing rum from Paraguay to give Bondi what it so desperately needs - a bar that doesn't smell like palm oil and vom.
Fish Market
Once, when we were but young striplings, full of big ideas and insatiable lusts for seafood indulgences, we happened upon a tiny provincial backwater called the Sydney Fish Market.
When there, amongst the stalls hosting armadas of freshly slain crustacheai, we were privy to a battle of epic proportions.
Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab
There's another, unassuming, "Harry's" in town that's (ahem) clawing for your attention. From the moment you're greeted by the neon-lit ‘live seafood' sign, you know there's no turning back. It's everything the name promises... and more.
Owner, Harry Lau, has fisherman friends in high places delivering his famous Queensland mud crabs direct.
Shop & Wine Bar
Remember when you were first allowed to hold a cup of red cordial? (Two hands please). You felt lucky. Then you were allowed to hold a cup with one hand, and finally you became privileged enough to hold a real glass. Well done you.
However, you probably haven't had any drinking achievements to be proud of for a while, and it's here that the magically large glasses at the Shop & Wine Bar can help to reinstate the privilege.
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