Overview
Hospo legends Dre Walters and Swan Kanongataa of Old Mate's Place and Ginny's Canoe Club have arrived in Newtown with a new multi-space venue offering top-notch take-home provisions and an intimate setting for a couple of cocktails. Huelo can be found at 127 King Street, right next to Inner West favourites Bella Brutta, Cafe Paci and Mapo Gelato. From the outside, it looks like a charming general store with a selection of tables for drinks and snacks, stocked full with artisanal goods. But, head through the store to the back and you'll discover a tiny 12-seat speakeasy-style cocktail bar backing onto a courtyard.
Huelo means sun rays in Tongan. The name is meant to convey the venue's bright and welcoming atmosphere while also paying homage to Kanongataa's heritage. Out front, you'll find an unpretentious general store stocking pantry items like tinned fish, chilli honey, truffle oil and passata, as well as thinly sliced deli meats, ceramics and Huelo merch. It's a one-stop shop for that one item you're willing to splurge on to take your dinner to the next level.
There are also a handful of seats in the general store and out the front where you can order a wine or a snack. The deli meats are used in the sandwiches and there is a selection of small plates with highlights including the fried quick po-boy.
Bypass the groceries and head through a door out the back to find the secret cocktail bar that Kanongataa describes as, "a culminatio of everything we love about bars and cocktails."
"Genuine service and thoughtful drinks. Those are the bars that stand the test of time in our opinion. If the General store is old world, then our hidden cocktail bar is Miami tropical glam meets New York brasserie. The cocktails are fun, imaginative, and delicious."
The bar is kicking things off with a hefty happy hour. Each Wednesday–Saturday you can score oysters for $2 a pop and magnums of champagne from 4–6pm.
Walters and Kanongataa also have plans to open a third space. The soon-to-open upstairs dining room will boast a bigger selection of eats, space for larger groups and the ability to book out the room for functions.
You'll find Huelo Bar and Huelo General Store at 127 king Street, Newtown. They're open 4pm–late Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday, and midday–2am Friday–Saturday.