Bar Fly
ZIGI’S WINE & CHEESE BAR
Teggs Lane (behind 86 Abercrombie Street), Chippendale (02) 9699 4222 www.winecheesebar.com.au
When Zigi was renovating the floor upstairs he discovered the ‘70s comic books, Tracks Magazines and Daily Mirror newspapers that are now framed on the bar wall. Cosy up in the ground floor space on the lounge or a stool (Zigi’s seats just sixteen). The man himself is behind his bar until midnight three nights a week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) and is always up for a yarn. There’s a mostly Australian wine selection for purchase by the bottle and a sharing philosophy for wine by the glass ($12) – the next to order when the share bottle is done will get to choose the subsequent bottle for opening. Cheeses are international and there’s a range of snacks too. Don’t forget to doodle on the blackboard before you leave.
EAST VILLAGE BALMAIN
82 Darling Street, Balmain (02) 9810 3333 www.eastvillagebalmain.com.au
If you head right to the end of Darling Street and past the No Through Road sign, you’ll infiltrate the favourite hangout of the East Balmain locals. The newly refurbished and renamed East Village hotel offers a tasty, fun and friendly night out. Put yourself in the hands of bar manager Red to help you choose which of the 13 beers on tap you’ll try. The list includes a strong range of microbrewers, with even more choices by the bottle. Or try one of the special event beer and matched food dinners – next up 5 courses 10 beers hosted by the ‘Beer Diva’, Kirrily Waldhorn and the ‘Beer Snob’, Dan Hampton. Wednesday night is delicious half priced muscles – oops mussels (1kg Spencer Gulf.) There’s entertainment too – like pub quiz or poet Muz – if you pick the right night. Crikey!
PARLOUR LANE ROASTERS
49 Market Street, Sydney (02) 8262 0000 www.qtsydney.com.au
From 4pm each afternoon, what is a (less than) humble coffee shop by day transforms into the best little Negroni bar in the city. There are currently eight styles on offer – our top pick is the (eight week) barrel-aged Negroni. Bar Manager, Jared Thibault has a soft spot for the Trident (Aalborg Aquavit, Cynar, Tio Pepe Sherry and Peach Bitters.) Aperitivo hours are 5pm to 7pm when you can work your way through the list for $9 each. Other times they’ll set you back $14. For the ultimate Negroni experience try the (taste of 3) flight for $22. Sitting to one side of the foyer of the new QT Sydney offers other advantages – you can check out the attitude of the hotel bus girl, admire the glamour of the State Theatre foyer or just perve at the passers-by.
