Words from the Bottle
Words are art in themselves.
Posts tagged ‘barfly’
Jan 14
A Hunky Dory Time…
The latest ‘it’ bar for trendy types on Oxford Street: Hunky Dory Social Club.
It’s one of those places where you need to get turned away the first time you attempt to get in – then you more so appreciate how uber vogue it is once you actually get inside. I strayed down the Hunky Dory way last Friday at around 8.30pm, and was pleasantly surprised to be granted access. Up the steps (the ones you gaze longingly at at 11pm on a Saturday night), and finally into the mythical bar I’d been hanging out to see.
The bar and the balcony above are both small spaces, but beautifully decorated. Combined with the music, a couple of cocktails, and the cheeky wink from the handsome guy behind the bar, Hunky Dory’s fashions the perfect atmosphere for you to sit and chill out with good company.
What I loved: their cocktail & wine menu came bound in Childrens Golden Books cover, like the ones Mum used to read to me as a little tacker. Instant love through nostalgic association. Tick. Their marketing manager must have a degree in psychology.
What I drank: Campari. Sorry, I know I should have had at least a tipple of wine for the purposes of this blog, but I was intoxicated by Hunky D’s air of old-school glamour. While I knocked back a few Camparis (on the rocks) my friend had a few glasses of white, which was fairly well priced.
If pay day has just come around and you’re keen to splash out on cocktails, the Little Golden Book at Hunky’s is definitely worth working your way through (cocktails are around $18 each). In particular, I would recommend the Dory Blackberry Julep (a mix of Matusalem Platino white rum, mint, blackberry). Superb.
What impressed me: Their bar staff were phenomenal. Once we sat down, we didn’t move – a dashing young man took great care to offer refills and bring them straight to our table. More than service, everyone working there seemed to genuinely love what they were doing. Smiles everywhere. A birthday cake was passed over our heads at one point and the DJ starts to spin a mash-up of ‘Happy Birthday’. So cheers to whoever is running the show- you’re doing a fabulous job.
The Nitty Gritty Details ….
Location: 215 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 9331 0442
They’ve got a cute little website you can browse here. The only thing that it missing (sadly) is the drinks menu.
Hunky Dory also has Facebook page that publishes cool bits of content to wall every so often. You can check out all their photos here as well. (Sorry HD I had to steal some of these for this post!).
When to go: If you’re keen to stay at HD for the long haul (recommended), I’d suggest trying to get there as early as 5.30 – 6pm on a Friday or Saturday so you can nab a spot on the balcony. They’ve also got cheap woodfired pizzas for lunch on weekdays if you want to grab a bite.
Tipsy Scribblings
First thing’s first!
I am no expert in wine.
I am old enough to understand that you cannot call yourself an ‘expert’ in the fine art of making, tasting, storing, growing, discussing and selling good wine without 40 years under your belt- although a ridiculous inheritance or perhaps a managerial position at Dan Murphy’s might help.
I do, however, consider myself to be adept at buying and drinking. As a young, overly-energetic barfly enthusiast, on average I drink anywhere between 2 – 5 bottles of wine every week. This may sound like alcoholism to the casual observer, but I assure you that 3 years as a student successfully knocked the concept of binge – drinking on a regular basis right out of the water for me.
What may seem like over consumption is actually what I prefer to call passion- I really love a good drop. A cheeky glass at home with dinner, a bottle down the road at one of my local wine bars, a tipple over lunch, or, on occasion (usually when a beneficiary is present) a nice red over a 3 course dinner.
I don’t spend a fortune on wine, mainly because I can’t afford to spend $100 on every bottle. And so, I am constantly in search of good, affordable labels, which ‘punch above their weight’ (thanks to my father who has ceremoniously claimed to have coined this phrase).
This blog has been born out of countless memories- the tastes, smells, experiences and places this little barfly has stumbled across on her journey down the grapevine.
It is my great hope that other young people with a small income & an appreciation for red can find value in my tastebud’s simple opinions.
May wisdom be born out of ignorance! I hope you enjoy this blog & everything I share on it.
