Despite taking its name from a raucous, rundown pub in the 80s flick Road House, Double Deuce Lounge isn't a dive bar. Instead, the CBD drinking hole from the Ramblin' Rascal team is a refined cocktail lounge with a touch of '70s porn chic'.
No, you won't find Ron Jeremy lounging in one of the burgundy leather booths. Instead, you can expect loud geometric 70s wallpaper laid with vintage film posters, the likes of Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Curtis Mayfield on heavy rotation and a cocktail list that arrives in a Deep Throat-esque VHS cover. The bar's owners, Charlie Lehmann, Sebastian Soto and Dardan Shervashidze, will also be suitably on theme, decked out in safari suits and furry vests.
Behind the bar, the team is shaking and stirring signature cocktails, as well as seasonal specials, which travel from the tangy and refreshing Sea Breeze and minty Stinger (with lots of Fernet and Cognac) to the cold brew-spiked Discretionary and a super-fancy take on a gin and soda dubbed Trouble Man. While the cocktails are proverbially stuck in the 70s, the wines and beers are very much 2019. Co-owner of Newtown's P&V Wine and Liquor Mike Bennie has pulled together an extended list of fun and funky drops. Ask the crew to see what they're pouring.
Not content with a funky drinks menu, Doule Deuce Lounge also offers a short list of 70s-themed bar snacks including bowls of cabanossi, cheese cubes and French onion dip served with Jatz.
Take a funky step back in time at Double Deuce Lounge.
Images: Kimberley Low.
Updated April 28, 2023.