Suey Sins Is Surry Hills' New Apparently 'Pre-War Shanghai-Inspired' Drinking Den

Surry Hills has a brand new small bar, dubbed Suey Sins, touted as inspired by the drinking dens of 1920s pre-war Shanghai. Taking its name and inspiration from one of the Chinese city's 'iconic call girls' of the time (according to the team), this new themed bar is the work of 25-year-old Eli West, who picked the theme based on her travels and family heritage.

"I have spent most of my life travelling in Indonesia, and have some Chinese heritage and I like to think I may be related to a character very similar to Suey Sin," said West. "I love the idea of this seductive, alluring woman who had old world charm and poise but also knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. I see a bit of that in myself and the young women who will drink here."

Taking somewhat problematically generalist cues from the surrounding areas of Chinatown, Haymarket and Thai Town, the bar's press release said that "the area around Campbell Street and the Asian influence in the suburb combined with the winding alleyways and old inner-city buildings create an old world, exotic aesthetic that is continued inside the bar."

While the space is promoting 1920s pre-war Shanghai as the inspiration for the theme, the drinks menu isn't really on-theme. Easy-going sips come in the form of Australian craft tinnies, long necks "for the gents" according to the team (come on, really? "For the gents?"), and a pair of signature boozy slushies that currently includes a frozen cider concoction. Did they have slushies in pre-war Shanghai? Just checking. Cocktails have been named for the seven deadly sins — the Greed is a Mojito-like mix of spiced rum, mint, lime, palm sugar, and French champagne, while the Lust features a blend of white rum, coconut water, dragonfruit, and lemon syrup.

Meanwhile, the Suey Sins kitchen has opted away from the dumpling-centric offering of fellow pre-war Shanghai-inspired Sydney haunt, Uncle Mings, in favour of a broader array of Asian small bites and the undying Sydney prerequisite: burgers. But granted, Tsuru Food Truck has leant their magic to the menu, with the likes of mi goreng spring rolls, lotus root nachos, and the signature bao available until midnight, all week long.

Suey Sins is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12pm – late on Level 1, corner of Campbell and Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. 

By Libby Curran and Shannon Connellan.