Coolest new bars and pubs in St George and the Shire
A revamped RSL, a pub with a new lease on life, a beloved small bar with fresh eyes and an old lingerie store being transformed into a wine bar are among the coolest new bars in Sydney’s south. Where are you heading out this week?
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Who’s up for drinks? Movers and shakers in southern Sydney’s bar scene are opening new venues, revamping old ones and keeping the party going with longer opening hours at some of the area’s most beloved venues. Here’s what your nights out could look like in St George and the Sutherland Shire.
Black Swan Bar, Caringbah
An old lingerie store will be transformed into a small wine bar serving local and imported wines, local craft beer and tapas.
Black Swan Bar will take the place of Bettina’s at 361 Port Hacking Rd, Caringbah, next door to Malaysian restaurant Langkawi.
Sutherland Shire Council approved plans for the small bar, which can accommodate 60 patrons, a manager and two bar staff.
It will operate from 4pm to 11pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2pm to 10pm on Sundays.
“There is no planned entertainment apart from occasional acoustic music played at a background level,” the applicant wrote.
Respite Bar, Lugarno
New owners are giving new life to Lugarno’s beloved small bar with a rebrand and a fresh new menu.
The former Black Rose bar at 8 Lime Kiln Rd, Lugarno is now called Respite Bar.
“We are an intimate bar serving a variety of beers, cocktails and sprits, along with a selection of boutique Australian wines, inspired by local sommeliers,” the new owners wrote on Facebook.
“We are local, we are close friends, we decided to roll the dice.”
The bar is open every day of the week except Mondays.
“It was Mr. H. Bogart who said the problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind – we tend to agree,” they wrote on Facebook.
“Feel free to drop one of us a message on social media or phone if you are thinking about coming down.
“We don’t take bookings but we would like to do our best to ensure no one gets disappointed.”
The Peakhurst, Peakhurst
The old Peakhurst Inn – Peaky, for the locals – has had a stunning facelift replete with an outdoor pavilion, delicious cocktails, sports on TV and entertainment all week long.
Newly rebranded pub The Peakhurst is celebrating Margarita Day this Saturday with specials for members – all day, every day.
Original, mango jalapeño, strawberry and blueberry basil margaritas are just $12 for members.
Patrons are also welcome to join the Peakhurst’s Margarita Masterclass from 3pm this Saturday, where they will create three cocktails to enjoy with Mexican-inspired snacks.
Bookings online are required.
Kogarah Clubhouse, Kogarah
The old Kogarah RSL has been revamped as the Kogarah Clubhouse – a new social hub for the local community.
Their Blake Street Kitchen is a cross between a cafe, a restaurant and a bar – it all depends on the time of day and the occasion.
The kitchen serves up your early morning coffee, all-day breakfast from 7am and gourmet club classics and snacks from 11.30am until late.
The 2000 square metre social precinct also offers The Pearl Asian Eatery, a yum cha experience, and The Clubhouse Bar – a perfect spot for catch-ups with friends over a beer or cocktail.
February’s cocktail of the month is an Old Fashioned with Wild Turkey bourbon and the wine of the month is Paxton Wines McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon.
Blind Bear, Cronulla
The best whisky bar in Cronulla is hoping to keep the nights going with an application to extend their trading hours before the council.
Blind Bear at 28 Cronulla St offers Australian craft beer, cocktails, whisky, premium spirits and bar food on two levels of their speak-easy-style establishment in Cronulla’s main street.
The small bar’s owner has applied to Sutherland Shire Council to extend their trading hours from midnight or 1am to 2am every night of the week from Monday to Sunday.
Under the proposal last drinks would continue to be served at midnight from Monday to Thursday, and at 1am Saturday to Monday.
The application remains under consideration by the council.
Highfield, Caringbah
Caringbah’s premier multi-level bar and restaurant establishment hopes to keep the music live and loud for later after applying to extend their trade until 3am.
The owners of Highfield Caringbah have applied to Sutherland Shire Council to keep the Public Bar section on the ground level open until 3am from Monday to Saturday and until midnight on Sundays.
The bar currently shuts up shop at midnight from Monday to Saturday and at 10pm on Sundays.
The bid is part of a plan to attract high-profile musicians and events to the venue, which also includes the Botanical bar and restaurant upstairs, pizza shop Ugly Pizza and secret underground sports bar Huxley’s.
The Prince, Kirrawee
The Prince Kirrawee is keeping the fun happening all summer long with a particularly cheerful happy hour for the month of February.
Patrons can score 49 per cent off their drinks between 4pm and 6pm every day of the week for the rest of the month.
The popular pub also hosts Drag Bingo every Wednesday night with food and drink vouchers and a cash jackpot from 7.30pm each week.