Bulletin Place: Small Bar, Circular Quay, Sydney (1 Feb 2013)

Level 1, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.bulletinplace.com

Cocktails for the season

It's always refreshing to find a small bar that's unpretentious, quirky and filled with fun-loving staff serving interesting seasonal cocktails. If this is what you're after then Bulletin Bar might be the place for you. I ordered the Black Betty ($19) with gin, muscat grapes, rosso and lemon which was quite enjoyable and very lethal on the alcohol which I never mind because at least I know they haven't skimped on it. My friend ordered the more reasonably priced It's Juice, But Not As You Know It! ($10) with tequila, apple and mint. She wasn't a fan of it but I didn't mind it although I preferred mine better maybe because I've never been a bit tequila fan. When closing time approaches you get a pre warning with the ugly lights flickering. Midnight seems early these days when you're out and about having a good time but it probably did save me from a nasty hangover so I should be more grateful. Apparently on the menu the food is available from Tapavino downstairs so nice to see independent bars working together to cater for the Sydney party animals.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly staff, Seasonal cocktails, Quirky and casual decor, Tina Arena poster in the toilet shows a sense of humour

CONS: Hard to find if you don't know where it is first, Closes at midnight, $19 is a premium price for a cocktail

MUST TRY: Revisiting to try more of the cocktails

VERDICT: For a bar that's pretty laid back, casual and intimate this one seems to tick all the boxes for a lazy after work drink or late night top up

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Friendly and down-to-earth bar staff

Black Betty with gin, muscat grapes, rosso and lemon ($19), It's Juice, But Not As You Know It! with tequila, apple, mint ($10)

Seasonal and daily cocktail menu

Wine from around $9 a glass

Anyone looking for a $500 bottle of Krug?

Intimate corner position until I came along

Love a cute dog in a bar

Clean and functional toilet with nice hand soap and fragrance sticks

It's not everyday you spot Tina Arena in the mens toilet

Randoms up for a photo — thanks guys!

More randoms enjoying their late night drinkies

Window view of potential muggings perhaps

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Frankie's Pizza: Italian-themed bar, CBD Sydney (11 Jan 2013)

50 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Frankie goes to underground

I was very sad when I found out Frankie's Pizza had taken over one of my favourite cheap and cheerful lunch time eating holes of Bò 7 Món THANH TÂM Vietnamese restaurant as part of the Hunter Bar. Where will I get my crispy chicken now? It's quite amazing how the place has now been transformed into a warm and cosy underground bar just like The Baxter Inn. The guys behind this really have a knack for creating unique spaces that are welcoming, interesting and exciting to be in. The service behind the bar was friendly and fun and you could tell they enjoyed working there and wanting to make sure you were having a good time as much as they were. With a fly by visit for a friend's birthday drinks I tried their signature Frozen Margarita ($10, pictured above). My hopes weren't high for something mass produced in a machine but it wasn't too bad considering I'm not a huge fan of margaritas or tequila for that matter. A bit on the small side but had noticeable alcohol. Maybe alcoholic slurpees are the way forward for faster service in bars. I wish I could have stayed longer but I hope to visit again to check out more of the drinks, pizzas and all the quirky photos and raunchy gig posters plastered around the walls.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Friendly bar service, Cosy and interesting decor, Pinball machines, Lots of seating, Easy to find compared to all those other hidden small bars in town

CONS: They only seem to have one cocktail on the menu, Not open during the day, No website or online menu at the time of visiting

MUST TRY: Revisiting to try the pizza

VERDICT: After only 5 minutes this bar had me hooked in checking out all the wall photos. Friendly bar staff oozing sincere smiles is so far the biggest drawcard to return for an after work cheeky drinky.

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Front bar

Fun loving bar staff

One for the boys. They also seem to have bottles of chilli oil?

Should really be cocktail not cocktails?

Retro dining

Main bar and seating

Cosy booths to settle in for the night

I wonder if the 18 year olds will know what these are?

I seem to have discovered the XXX rated wall

I don't know who they are but they bid you farewell as you leave

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The Baxter Inn: Whisky & Wine Bar, CBD Sydney (26 July 2012)

Basement, 152-156 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000

http://www.thebaxterinn.com/home

A whisky lovers paradise

“Absolutely no bookings, no doorlist, no functions — everyone is welcome.”

The Baxter Inn has been on my wish list since it opened after hearing many good things about the place. The first challenge when visiting was working out where it actually was. Make sure you take good note of the address or you'll question where it is and start asking the hairdresser next door for directions as I did. Walk down through the arched laneway, turn right at the end, then head to the far right corner where you'll find a doorway that leads down a flight of stairs and head through the unmarked door past the empty kegs. I think this might be Sydney's answer to Melbourne's The Croft Institute in terms of being very well-hidden from unsuspecting pedestrian traffic although when busy I've heard long queues form which would expose the hidden entrance. My Pencillian cocktail ($17) of Scotch Whisky, lemon, honey and ginger served in a sours glass is quite strong with a decent taste of whisky. The flavours worked quite well together although I was more of a fan of my friend's Old Cuban cocktail ($17) made with rum, mint, sparkling wine and lime served in a coupette glass. It had a nice balance of flavours and was very enjoyable to drink with a refreshing twist on the palate. There's a fair amount of seating in the bar but best to arrive early to grab a table and enjoy the quirky memorabilia and soft mood lighting.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Interesting decor and cosy atmosphere, Service seemed friendly and accommodating, Whisky lovers paradise

CONS: The website looks like it's more for a funeral parlour than a welcoming bar, Apparently gets very popular with long lines outside so arrive early, I didn't really notice a bar menu

MUST TRY: Old Cuban cocktail, Revisiting to try other cocktails

VERDICT: A very cosy and interesting bar that you could easily settle in for the night and enjoy their range of whisky and wines

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Find the laneway

Look out for the red roped area — although when busy you'll probably see a very long line queued outside

Laneway sky views

Head down the stairs and open the unmarked door

Impressive whisky display — apparently the white bucket is for the tips

Drinks menu

Cocktail menu

Complimentary pretzels

Pencillian cocktail: Scotch Whisky, lemon, honey, ginger ($17)

Old Cuban cocktail: Rum, mint, sparkling wine, lime ($17)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Scotch with fresh green apple juice ($7.50)

Fair amount of table seating

Sitting at the bar is a great spot to admire all the bottles of whisky on show

Private reserve display cabinet

Nice candle and feature lighting

Toilet sink located behind the toilet so a little awkward to access

Heading back out through the laneway to the real world

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