Dean's Lounge

Overview

An old favourite is returning to Sydney in the form of a new Potts Point bar. Dean's Lounge, which opened November 2020, is a reinvention of the old Dean's Cafe, which made its home in Kings Cross between 1976 and 2011. Dean's Lounge promises a night of cocktails, late-night snacks, retro video games and songs from a vintage jukebox.

The new owners, Justin and Louka Marmot of Barangaroo's Shirt Bar have channelled their love of the original Dean's into the new venue, bringing back it's charm and character. The pair actually met at Dean's Cafe back in 2002, while Justin was working there.

The Potts Point location has expanded into multiple rooms, providing space for private dinners and larger group bookings. The front deck is home to an open courtyard ideal for sipping cocktails on a balmy summer night. As you head inside, you're offered one of four homely rooms inside the bar, with each one fitted with restored vintage furniture, exuding a relaxed throwback feeling.

An array of cocktails are on offer, too, including a banoffee old fashioned and Tropicana spritz. Bar Manager Jaxon Jager's recommends the Brooklyn Sunset, a mix of rye whiskey, dry vermouth, strawberry shrub and absinthe. If you get peckish, you'll find truffle mac 'n' cheese, roast beef and spicy lamb jaffles ($12–15), as well bean nachos ($15–25).

Homemade cakes — such as flourless chocolate cake ($14) and sticky date pudding ($15) — and coffee ($3.50-4.50) are also served until close if you're looking for a somewhere to dip into for dessert or your late-night caffeine fix.