Tandem Is Newtown's New Neighbourhood Bar You'll Want to Call Your Local

Newly hatched Newtown bar Tandem lives up to its moniker in a multitude of ways, but, mainly, it speaks to the coming together of community that really makes a neighbourhood bar your local.

"I was inspired by the level of togetherness I felt during my time working in bars in Copenhagen," explains owner Peter Lynn. "Something about riding your bike to a friendly café and having someone remember your order is both wholesome and satisfying."

To that effect, the intimate Scandi-influenced cocktail bar boasts four distinct spaces, designed to feel cosy no matter how many people they're holding. There's the main bar, a comfy lounge dubbed the 'living room', an outdoor courtyard complete with fairy lights and an roomy upstairs 'loft'. Its vibe is comparable with that of Corridor, which sits just a few doors down on King Street.

The thoughtful approach and community vibe extends its reach to the drinks offering, which shines a spotlight on passionate local businesses and producers. An environmentally conscious cocktail lineup features sips like the Lightly Buzzed, blending Adelaide Hills sparkling wine, Sydney's own Poor Toms Gin and eco-friendly sorbet from Gelato Blue down the street. Most of the bar's perishable ingredients get a second life, thanks to some clever upcycling in cocktails like the Thrift Shop Fizz, crafted with Scandinavian spirit Aquavit, lemon, tonic and a foam made of recycled rosemary and orange garnishes.

Overall, it's a drinks list designed to inspire a sense of adventure and break you out of the ol' comfort zone. You'll find beers from female-led Two Birds Brewing on tap, an all Aussie selection of wines, and drink specials favouring the obscure over the tried-and-true. And things are sure to get extra interesting with the rotating Tandem Bike Crash cocktail, featuring some of the staff's favourite liquid experiments — head in now to try a questionable concoction of Monkey Shoulder Scotch and Mountain Dew reduction.

Tandem is now open Wednesday to Sunday at 127 King Street, Newtown.

Images: Newtown Photography.