A favourite among Sydney bartenders – if that’s not a good sign, what is? – This neighbourhood bar with a strong come-hither vibe is worth venturing across town for.
Some might argue that opening a bar in the days of Sydney’s lockout laws in a hard-hit nightlife area defied all logic. Looking back, however, it’s safe to say it was probably the best decision Jangling Jack’s co-owners Erin Reeves and Jon Ruttan ever made. They’ve created a neighbourhood bar that punches well above its weight – one that captures both the vibe of the bygone bohemian era of Kings Cross and the class you’d expect from a venue in Potts Point.
It proved to be exactly what the area so desperately needed at the time – a spot for locals, by locals, that opened early, closed late and felt like it had been there forever. And it’s exactly that sort of timeless appeal that has kept it going ever since. Ask any Sydney bartender worth their salt where they like to hang on nights off, and Jangling Jack’s will likely be one of the answers. If that’s not a good sign, what is?
From the moment you step in off Victoria Street, this long, narrow sliver of a space begins to cast a spell on you. Maybe it’s the jungle-green walls, the warm glow of the bottles behind the bar, or the tasseled Victorian lampshades hovering over the spotted-gum bar top, but the come-hither vibe is strong, shored up by Polaroids of locals and staff members plastered above the till and framed vintage posters hanging at the back. It feels lived-in in all the right ways, and the welcome you get will make you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time.
It’s no longer the new kid on the block, but somehow Jangling Jack’s still flies under the radar, making an evening here all the more enjoyable – everyone knows they’re onto something good. The drinks are stiff and served in proper glassware, the banter from the seasoned bar team (led by Scottish powerhouse Rachael Merritt) is first-rate, and if the Beatles-era soundtrack doesn’t make you want to sing along, then you may want to check your pulse. Or, better yet, return on another night for live jazz or DJs spinning seven-inch vinyl, which always brings the house down.
Drinks might be the main event here, but the food shouldn’t be overlooked. If you’re peckish, clever little snacks such as salt-and-pepper calamari fritters with kimchi mayo or bite-sized cubes of fried potato topped with whipped corn and salted mullet roe will more than tide you over. But why not go all-in on an epic cheeseburger, whitebait katsu roll or a proper Sunday lamb roast?
While Potts Point isn’t lacking in terrific restaurants, it’s surprisingly short on great bars. Be sure to keep JJ’s top of mind for an apéritif or an after-dinner drink when you’re in the area. There’s an incentive, too, to visit early – at the daily happy hour from 4pm to 6pm $10 scores you a Negroni or an Old Fashioned and tap beers cost a mere fiver. And if you can nab the cavernous and ultra-private little booth on the right that’s built into the wall, then all the better.
