Overview
The southern stretch of Collingwood's Smith Street has scored an inviting new arrival in vibrant, globally-inspired bar and eatery, Sixty Smith. Opening its doors in late 2020, it's the latest venture from Indy Weerakoon and Sam Silva, co-owners of Fitzroy Beer Garden.
Sixty Smith is a warm, eclectic venue boasting four distinct areas. A cosy front bar greets you straight from the street, while further in, a light-filled dining room features cushion-filled banquette seating and an abundance of greenery. Out the back, a covered beer garden is filled with neon street art and upcycled pallet furniture. For quieter drinks and intimate, private celebrations, The Attic awaits upstairs — an old-world-inspired space with gold accents and inky blue hues. The Attic will also play host to a series of monthly dance parties.
Sixty Smith's menu draws on a range of global influences, shaped by Head Chef Three Phadungkarn's own experiences — from growing up in Bangkok, to seven years spent cooking Spanish tapas at MoVida and more recently creating classic European fare in the kitchen of Syracuse.
The lineup kicks off with lunch plates like the roasted spatchcock with potato salad, a mushroom, truffle and parmesan spaghetti, and a pulled pork burger starring pickled zucchini and spicy mayo. Meanwhile, the dinner offering features bites for appetites small and large, starting with 'graze' snacks like eggplant popcorn, school prawns matched with a tom yum mayo, and lamb spare ribs done with kipflers and capsicum salmorejo (a Spanish-style cold soup similar to gazpacho). The 'gorge' section of the menu might see ox cheek teamed with parsnip puree, braised onion and a hit of horseradish, while grilled broccoli is elevated with harissa and a sunflower seed mole. Otherwise, the decision-saving chef's tasting menu delivers a parade of seasonal hits for $65 per person.
You'll spy a couple of rotating tap brews, a lineup of tinnies and a largely local wine selection with plenty of options by the glass. And if cocktails are the mood, there's an impressive rotation of crafty concoctions on offer, from an espresso martini made with vegan dulce de leche, to the fruity yuzu-spiked Tatsu Fizz.
Complementing Sixty Smith's artfully plated food and beautifully executed sips is a rotating art exhibition called The Hook, curated by art collective Fort Heart. A dedicated wall within the venue will showcase diverse works from a lineup of local talent, available to buy, plus you can stay tuned for a calendar of supporting art events.
Find Sixty Smith at 60 Smith Street, Collingwood. It's open from Tuesday–Thursday 4pm–11pm, Friday–Saturday midday–1am and Sunday 4pm–11pm.