NOW EXPERIENCING:Shady Pines Saloon

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 28 Apr 2022

By
David Matthews


A hidden honky-tonk specialising in beer, whiskey, peanuts and country-and-Western-flavoured good times. It’s a dive bar with a heart of gold.

Liquor bottles
Why you goShady Pines is Sydney’s original Nashville-style honky-tonk bar. In its early days it made waves as one of the city’s first and best small bars, building a name for its hidden entrance, the great many stuffed animals mounted on the walls, and the peanut shells scattered all over the floor. But this is no gimmick. For a bunch of people in cowboy hats, the bartenders sure know their way around a drink. The big-name American beers – Coors and Pabst Blue Ribbon for starters – are present and accounted for, but there are plenty of Aussie craft tins around, too. If it’s cocktails you’re after, they’ll mix you an ice-cool Mint Julep or fill your cup with a spiced Bourbon Punch as readily as they’ll blitz together a slushy Fiña Colada, which brings gin, Japanese citrus and fino sherry to a pineapple-coconut base. Then, of course, there’s the chance to do your Clint Eastwood impression and sidle up to the bar, tip your hat to the moose head in the corner, and order a straight bourbon in your best old-timey drawl.
Why you stayWhy wouldn’t you? This place heaves with people here for a good time and a long time, and as busy as it gets, this bar runs on a strict first-come-first-served rule, meaning there’s no VIPs, no door lists and no queue jumpers. Just good, honest people looking to fill their boots. The soundtrack is something else, too, celebrating honky-tonk and country stars – think Johnny Cash or Merle Haggard – while live bands grace the stage on Sundays. The decor reveals new details with every visit, with framed black-and-white photos from the Old Southwest, barrels stood in corners and vultures, bass and rattlesnakes taking pride of place among the odd cactus and a saloon-style piano. Talk about committing to a theme.
Cocktail
Alcohol Bottle
What drink to orderShady Pines has a super impressive beer selection, with brews in every colour of the rainbow. Whether it’s browns, ambers, reds and stouts or lagers, wheats and pales, they’ve got it covered. Australian and US beers make up the bulk of the selection, with enough tins and bottles under $10 to suit the theme, plus more interesting things for anyone looking to branch out. Try an Extra IPA by Sierra Nevada, or a US-style pale ale out of Victoria. And if beer isn’t your thing, they’ll mix a mean Sazerac as readily as they’ll throw together a standout Hanky Panky or Southside.
Who to takeFirst and foremost, this is a place to impress your friends with your knowledge of Sydney’s back streets. For anyone who hasn’t been, finding the unmarked door and stepping downstairs into another world is always a memorable experience. Shady Pines also works well as a low-key date destination, but really it’s best when you gather a posse prone to line-dancing and shooting from the hip.
What to pair it withWhile you can easily while away an entire evening here, if you’re peckish you might reach a limit with the free peanuts, even if shelling them is furiously addictive. Luckily, Shady Pines lets you order in from locals – pizza with sopressa salami and a drizzle of honey from nearby Dimitri’s never looked better – but if you’re here for a drink or two before dinner, why not head to Alberto’s? Run by the same owners, this Italian restaurant shows the same commitment to the cause, with seriously good snacks, spot-on pasta and a killer wine list.
Regular's tipShady Pines has one of the city’s most generous happy hours. It runs every single day of the week from four till six, with house beers and wines coming in at a most generous $4.50, and Margaritas and Negronis just $10. If there was ever a place to start the night early, this is it.
Wine Glass