What to pair it withIf you’re hungry, the team always has a selection of sturdy French dip sandwiches on the pass: Brickfields Bakery baguette packed with folded layers of Haverick Meats roast beef, cheese and onion and served with a bowl of savoury juices on the side for dunking. A bit peckish? You’ll be wanting a tin of Spanish octopus or razor clams, the clams served with a slim glass of the brine from the tin, spiked with sherry and a dash of Lillet Blanc. And if you’re only after a little side piece to your sipping, something that’s more of an exclamation mark than a full stop, their Gilda – a skewer of olive, anchovy and pickled guindilla pepper – is a single, sophisticated bite.
Regular’s tipTypically of the neighbourhood, space is on the squeezy side, so if you can, try to grab a window seat away from the bar’s main thoroughfare. Newtown’s colourful atmosphere is a feature not a bug, and the best place to take in whatever’s happening on the streets are the two front window banquette tables which comfortably seat about three people each. With its proximity to the local cop shop, courthouse and fire station there’s bound to be something outside worth watching. You’re a little out of the bar staff’s line of vision there, though, so if it’s busy you may need to do the odd bob and wave to get their attention.
