Overview
Kingsland's Neighbourhood has been the go-to destination for pre-game drinks and extended Sunday sessions since 2011. After quietly closing its pearly gates at the start of July, the establishment has resurfaced with a fresh new look and sheltered al fresco area for year-round carousing.
Owner Justin Howse says that with trendy dive bars popping up left, right and centre, Neighbourhood yearned to "bring interesting back" to the bar landscape. Gone is the subterranean man cave chic with vintage beer-soaked rugs and 1000 lightbulbs hanging from the rafters. Instead, local creative studio wonder.group has stripped the space back to fresh naked lumber, in-house cardboard cutout-style artwork and an overarching cloud theme — complete with Richard Clarkson's infamous floating cloud-shaped lamps.
The popular outdoor area has been enhanced with new segmented areas, including a dedicated non-smoking area, a drinking marquee and ample seating to wolf down goods from the wood-fired pizza oven. While the outdoor area is covered, a decent portion of the suntrap remains.
The new menu has been labelled 'Italian-inspired modern pub food' and includes sharing platters, market fish, beef ragu pappardelle, and a trio of burgers. Wash it all down with the selection of Mac's brews and craft beers.