Small Bar, Sydney

The revolution has begun, drawing parallels with the mutants in X-Men. Halle-farkin-lujah and about farkin time. So Sydney has recently amended the restrictive liquor licensing laws that should allow the scene to evolve and create places where people can actually sit down and have a drink.

Despite the free rein, this quaint little wine bar hasn’t gone too far out on a limb like those funky places in Melbourne. Its frontage doesn’t differentiate itself to others on the strip, inside a skinny converted terrace space. A long black bench bar dominants leaving a narrow space between the tables and church benches up against the walls. Balcony and downstairs spills into the laneway outside for the smokers perfect for those summer nights.

Being a small bar, don’t expect a massive list on the food and wine front. But both are admirable and the grub certainly throws up a few surprises. Essentially modern Oz bistro taking influences from everywhere, the parmesan cheesy mixed herb mess of veal escalope the upmarket parma befitting for the place. Penne is Italian simplicity, a tomato sauce with a few capers, olives and parmesan. Mediterranean chook salad fine for those who want to watch their weight, a grilled breast features between Turkish that has a nachos feel with tomato salsa, avocado and sour cream but the rooster of them all is the very good flesh stuffed with mild brie and spinach and mashed polenta. Very grown up. And chips for grown ups served in a red chequered paper cone with mayonnaise and satay sauce, both work equally well.

There are definitely some nice highs to this refreshing addition to the Sydney drinking scene. With the Small Bar the first of the bar mutations, you would hope it’s the first of many more to come.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 48 Erskine St, Sydney, NSW
What? Entrees $10, Mains $20