Bars In Newtown (and surrounds)
The most biased view of places to go drinking in Newtown you’ve probably ever seen. Read ’em and weep!
The Midnight Special
44 Enmore Road
The Midnight Special is one of the Inner Wests best small bars. It’s intimate with gloomy lighting and a large range of music being played, often times by local DJs on vinyl too, as I guess much of the area is. Awesome hotdogs alongside an intriguing mix of cocktails. Favourite memory? Drinking Martinis and listening to a ska version of the James Bond theme which inspired me to be classy and stumble out into the street looking to get tattooed. Good times.
Corridor
153a King St
www.corridorbar.com.au
An aptly named small bar which hides the fact that there’s rooftop space available, a nice mix of drinks and friendly staff, but exceptional cocktails. Get here in the early afternoon to grab a great space, because they get busy whether it’s warm or winter.
Blacksheep
256 King St
Large deer head on the wall, chandeliers from the ceiling, general classiness, it’s kind of a shock if you’re used to wasting time at the Townie. They have curly fries and sliders. Yes! What’s more they have an old Nintendo out back. Favourite memory? Smashing some burgers, having a cocktail and being a Nintendo champion.
The Hive Bar
93 Erskineville Road
Unsurprisingly this place is in Erskineville, being on Erskineville road, but well worth the short walk down. Bars upstairs and downstairs and perpetually busy but with a super laid back feel, the place to come during the day while you’ve got some time to waste. Favourite Memory? Pedro, the infamous northern soul dancer, trying to make me dance, no luck bud, I’m made for drinking and not much else.
Newtown Social Club
387 King St
I don’t go here. There’s nothing wrong with it. I just like playing in the dirt. Favourite memory? When it was the Sando. No offence.
Kelly’s on King
285 King St
This is the place where literally 50% of all adventures happen. I’ve partied here too many times to count and so has everyone! Kelly’s is open late, drinks are nicely priced and they have a large but simple range, and they’re willing to play. Not many places round these parts will sell you an Irish Car Bomb cocktail. Favourite Memories? Anything revolving around Irish car bombs, or being the one to hold yours down.
Miss Peaches
201 Missenden Road
www.misspeaches.com.au
Setup to be something like a deep American south experience, I’ve personally never been, I can’t really judge the place on authenticity. But the reason this place is worth a mention is because it is different, the food is different (spice coated shrimp and popcorn), and they make their own soda. There are dancing classes too. I don’t dance.
Mary’s
6 Mary Street
This place is a bit hit or miss depending upon what you’re looking for, like loud music and burgers, fried chicken etc. Cool. Like hearing what your friends are saying and reasonably priced food not of the Hungry Jacks variety? Then you might not be into it. I can go either way on any given night, mainly cos I enjoy the odd Jack Attack (trademark pending) and there isn’t one close enough to me. Favourite Memory? Closing my eyes and thinking of HJ’s. More of a general statement really.