Burrow Bar

Overview

If ever there was a quintessential basement speakeasy, it's surely Burrow Bar. Its thick limestone walls, low-slung ceilings and compact dimensions paired with crimson, tufted leather banquettes, candle-lit bistro tables and charismatic bartenders are a Prohibition-era dream; a secret party bunker just beyond the vice squad's reach.

Not that it's a crime to enjoy one of Burrow Bar's innovative signature cocktails, although the dad puns they use to name their cleverly crafted drinks — such as the Make Amaro Great Again or the Can't Believe It's Not Bitter — ought to be illegal. Then again, a tongue-in-cheek spirit is very much part of this small bar's big personality — owners Chau Tran and Bruce McDonough are passionate exponents of mixology as entertainment, so expect to see some theatrics (and even occasional pyrotechnics) from the team as they assemble your beverage.

Alongside the cocktail offering, you'll find a considered yet streamlined selection of wines and a showcase of Australian beers, including brews from Marrickville's Wildflower, the Mornington Peninsula Brewery in Melbourne and Queensland's Bacchus Brewing Co.

Located one floor above the bar, modern Vietnamese joint Cash Only Diner provides the surprisingly substantial menu of bar eats. These range from quick and tasty snacks, such as Vietnamese pâté and house-made pickles, to more substantial plates like a green apple and mango salad with tiger prawns, or seared duck breast served with traditional fermented bean curd sauce and pops of fragrant finger lime. We'd also venture to claim that it's the only cocktail bar in Sydney where you can order a bowl of bún bò huế to your table.

Appears in:

Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023