Overview
Fresh off the heels of opening homely Redfern bar and Italian eatery Arms Length last June, Rebecca O'Shea (ex-Rockpool Dining Group) and chef Jeffrey Sue have claimed another corner of two bustling Sydney streets with their new Darlinghurst venue.
Situated on the corner of Crown and Stanley Street, Bar Nina follows in Arms Length's footsteps with a menu full of Italian-inspired dishes set alongside a classic cocktail list and craft brews. O'Shea and Sue have enlisted the help of Head Chef Luke Davenport in crafting the Bar Nina menu. Formerly of the two Michelin star English restaurant The Ledbury, Davenport is bringing his expertise to Sydney with a menu full of pasta and plentiful share plates.
Diners can select from a range of pasta Davenport hand creates every day — from fettuccine with slow-cooked duck ragu bianco, to a mussel and lardo spaghetti. Groups looking to sample the menu will find plenty to share, including Sydney rock oysters or pork and veal terrine and mostarda served on sourdough. If you venture away from the share plates and pasta, you'll find heartier meals like a vegan caponata paired with king oyster mushroom and pearl barley, or a whole baby snapper.
The drinks list centres around an extensive cocktail menu containing tried-and-true classics alongside a few of Bar Nina's own creations. Keeping with the southern European theme, you'll find a Mediterranean G&T made with Cinzano 1757 and Four Pillars olive leaf gin, or the summery electric blue La Nina, featuring two types of rum, orgeat, lime and blue curacao. Cocktails are $17–19, but those that head down between 4–6pm each day can score an affordable selection of happy hour drinks including $7 Pirate Life tap beer, $10 margaritas and $10 Aperol spritzes.
The fun doesn't stop at happy hour though, with bottomless brunch on offer every Saturday and Sunday. The boozy brunch can be booked between 11am–3pm on weekends and for $79 comes with two hours of drinks alongside a set selection of highlights from the Bar Nina menu.
Truly a jack-of-all-trades, Bar Nina is open from 8am each morning, serving The Little Marionette coffee to CBD workers and early risers looking for their caffeine fix. Pastries are also on offer each morning for commuters to snack on before the full menu becomes available from midday on weekdays and 11am on weekends.
Bar Nina is open at 85a Stanley Street, Darlinghurst, 8am-midnight, Monday–Sunday.