Old Mate's Place Is Sydney's New Hard-to-Find Rooftop Bar
Creative cocktails, Philly cheesesteaks and old-school library vibes tucked away in a Clarence Street office building
When Andres Walters (The Lobo Plantation, Kittyhawk), partner Gabrielle Walters (Black by Ezard) and mate Daniel Noble (Ramblin' Rascal Tavern, Mojo Record Bar) decided to open a new bar, finding the perfect location turned out to be much easier said than done. But when eye-watering rents fortuitously forced the trio to start looking up, they stumbled upon an unassuming space within a run-down office building, and Old Mate's Place was born, opening its doors two weeks ago.
A little tough to find, but well worth the effort, the two-level set-up makes for a charming hideaway, pulling inspiration from the diminutive drinking dens you'll find hidden throughout office blocks in Japan.
Inside, the trio has paid homage to the Clarence Street building's "beautiful guts" and its heritage-listed facade. The bar's lower floor calls to mind an old library, complete with stately bookshelves, dapper furnishings and family heirlooms throughout. Foliage creeps in and around like it's been there forever, stretching up to encompass the secluded rooftop space above.
While their previous bars might have built reputations on showcasing specific spirits, Old Mate's sees Walters and Noble widen the focus, embracing the creative space that comes with celebrating all booze in equal measure. Expect a cocktail list that's broad and oft-changing, spreading plenty of love across a 300-strong back bar selection.
To match, they've currently got a trio of Philly cheesesteaks and a rotation of cured meats, though there's whispers of a waffle croque monsieur — complete with roast cauliflower bechamel — making an appearance in the not-too-distant future.
Find Old Mate's Place at Level 4, 199 Clarence Street, Sydney from Tuesday–Saturday, 5pm–2am, and Sunday, 2pm–2am.
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