Overview
Sydney's got plenty of good sports bars, but how many are flanked with leather Chesterfield booths and bespoke poker tables? Darlinghurst's East Village Hotel has reopened, with one of the slickest sports bars we've seen in an age — sorry, Athletic Club. After much anticipation, the folks at Goodtime Hospitality Group have reopened two of three newly revamped sections of the much-adored, 100-year-old drinking spot, the East Village. Among the pub's four levels, you can now check out the Public Bar and Athletic Club, a slick, minimalist wine bar and a vintage-inspired sports bar, respectively.
Unfamiliar with the name Goodtime? Co-owned by young entrepreneurs James Bodel and Locky Paech, Goodtime rocked onto the Sydney hospitality scene in November 2015, with their purchase of Petersham's White Cockatoo Pub. Renaming it the West Village, they installed a fresh, organic menu and, within weeks, were attracting the local hungry hordes. But back to the East Village, which will keep its current name. The pub's been redesigned by the likes of Alexander and Co. (Busby, The Village Inn, Surly's, Daniel San, The Morrison, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel), who've attempted to keep those 100-year-old bones intact but with a modern finish.
Let's start with the real star of the show sports bar, or Athletic Club, up two flights of stairs. Inspired by old-school 'gentleman's sports clubs' (or y'know, exclusive sports clubs that ladies could have thoroughly enjoyed back in the day too but weren't privy to because women, right?), this bar sees worn leather Chesterfield seats, private bottle lockers, a bespoke poker table, vintage sporting memorabilia and probably smells of rich mahogany. You'll be able to watch the game (every game!) on TV screens wrapping the room. Toast your wins or drown your losses with dark spirit cocktails and boilermakers, because a Cold Buttered (whisky, Pepe Saya syrup, walnut bitters, sesame) is the only thing that'll soothe a Grand Final obliteration. Want to book a private room for game day? There's the Red Room, a private 10-seater space with table service and a wall-length TV. Plus, they'll be offering 'club memberships' in the future.
Downstairs, there's the Public Bar or 'Wine Pub' on the ground floor. While the Athletic Club is dark and broody, this bar is light, minimalist and airy with 20th century Serge Mouille wall lights, smoky walls and blackboard wine menus. The wine list and cocktail menu are in bloody good hands, with general manager Lee Potter Cavanagh (2015 Australian Bartender of the Year, Australian Bartender) and bar manager Reece Griffiths behind the wheel — they've even developed a string of wine-based cocktails.
Food-wise, you're in good stead too, with head chef Graham Johns (Quay) and executive chef Tom Kime (Ceru, Fish & Co.) reimagining classic counter meals for the East Village — think half roast chicken with sweetcorn, shallots, roasted heirloom tomato, basil and crispy bread ($24), or roast hake fillet with spicy green lentils and pickled cucumber salad ($26).
The East Village's Public Bar and Athletic Club are now open, but the third and final space, Terrace, will open in November. We've been waiting to see what the Goodtime crew do with this underrated rooftop space — it's got one heck of a CBD skyline view.
Find the East Village at 234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst. The Public Bar is open Monday to Saturday, 11am - midnight, Sunday, 11am – 10pm, while the Athletic Club is open Wednesday to Friday, 5pm – midnight, Saturday, 11am – midnight, Sunday, 11am – 10pm.
By Shannon Connellan and Jasmine Crittenden.
Images: Brett Stevens.