08 April 2011

Hunky Dory Social Club: Rooftop Bar, Darlinghurst (11 Mar 2011)

215 Oxford Street,
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
http://www.hdsc.com.au


Too-cool-for-school bar

It’s best not to expect any warm and fuzzy smiles from the too-cool-for-school service (unless your friends) in this rustic and carefree style bar but thankfully a decent cocktail prevails. The pricey yet lethal Killer White Lady: A lady on the street and a freak in the bed ($18) is made with quality ingredients of Hendriks, Cointreau, Mozart Dry, Lemon and Orange Blossom — I’d certainly have another one. A glass of NV San Margherita Prosecco ($8) is reasonably priced and hits the spot while checking out Oxford Street below from the balcony on level 1. There’s a rooftop bar (pictured above) on level 2 with battered lounges and wooden chairs where you can catch up on your Vitamin D if you're lucky enough to grab a spot.

The almost anything goes décor reminds me of Pocket Bar but in a more refined and selective way. Shattered pieces of mirror surround the unisex toilets like an oversized Mardi Gras mirror ball although you’ll feel on show when you exit the cubicles to those waiting to use them. Apparently the large sliding metal door to the unisex toilets is from the Carlton Brewery in Melbourne — it seems you can buy anything on eBay these days. Clientele seem to be mostly inner city die hards looking for the next best thing and have money to spend when they find it. For an Italian bite there’s Bruno’s on the ground floor but I’m yet to try to know if it’s any good. The owners have certainly transformed this space into their own little world and I hope they're willing to share it with open arms and a friendly smile to all that venture in.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: A Little Golden Book drinks menu, Interesting cocktails with creative names, Décor with character
CONS: Unisex toilets, Overly loud background music (I must be getting old), Potential ‘don’t know you don’t care about you’ service, Limited seating, Expensive drink list
MUST TRY: Revisiting to try other cocktails on the menu

Killer White Lady: A lady on the street and a freak in the bed. Hendriks, Cointreau, Mozart Dry, Lemon, Orange Blossom ($18); NV San Margherita Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Italy ($8)


A Little Golden Book drinks menu

Anyone for a bottle of MV Krug Grande Cuvee for $400?


Level 1 bar and balcony

Level 1 balcony view

Stairs up to level 2 rooftop bar


Level 2 rooftop bar

Unisex toilets


Stairwell light feature

The Hunky Dory Social Club delivery truck has seen better days

Entrance past Bruno's on ground floor


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Hunky Dory Social Club on Urbanspoon

6 comments:

john@heneedsfood said...

Sure looks like a place the Darlo locals would frequent. I've got to agree with you on the loud background music & being too old to tolerate it. Can't stand places where you have to yell at your company. The loo's look VERY Oxford St!

Jim said...

It really looks great. Makes me want to check it out.

thang @ noodlies said...

gosh, it's all too cool for me :)

susan said...

I don't know about the unisex toilets..

Hungry Female said...

Looks way more avant garde than Pocket Bar! Cool place! HF

Simon Leong said...

hi john, i think i must be growing too old for these places. i like to be able to hear what my friends are saying when they're only right next to you hehe

hi j bar, if you're with a few good friends i'm sure you'll have a blast

hi thang, hehe but you're a cool dude so you'll be OK

hi susan, i'm never a fan of unisex toilets. i think woman hate it more than guys though. although you can then always check if the guys are washing their hands which is usually not the case.

hi hungry female, hope you get to check it out to compare.

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