Bar Fly

OLD GROWLER
218 William Street, Woolloomooloo facebook.com/oldgrowler
Despite the well-used nether regions of a woman being one of the euphemisms of growler, this ultra-cool basement bar has quickly become popular with a diverse city group (hipsters included). “They say you can tell a lot about people by the company they keep…” posted on The Old Growler Facebook page though is cheering for the beer – pints and half pints of Young Henry’s natural lager, real ale, hop ale, cloudy cider, limited release and guest beer of the month – and it displays a banner photo not of said genitals but of a bear. And despite the Old Growler nomination as an alehouse suggesting said affinity with beer, we’re also impressed with the hop infusions in the cocktails: Hopscotch Henry ($15) is a winner. As we are also with the Sunday roast beef with duck fat Yorkshire pudding, and the newly hung dartboard…

SANTA BARBARA
1 Bayswater Road, Potts Point (02) 9357 7882 facebook.com/santabarbarasydney
Voyeurism is a newly uncovered fetish of mine, learnt here at Santa Barbara. Perhaps there is no better place to look out at Kings Cross than sitting under the famous Coke sign. And if like me you like to watch, I’m suggesting the window booths of the Santa Barbara smoking verandah are the best place to do, so until 3am, on any night of the week. Cocktails ($15) – such as my Hendricks and St Germain Room Service choice – are cheap and tasty, though you won’t find any fancy schmancy glasses. Santa Colada, Downtown Iced Tea, Singapore Slang, and Pleasant Ending are better value in ($30) jugs. Tinnies ($6) include Moritz and Pistonhead. And if you really want to make the most of hanging out under the iconic sign, chow down on some drinking food like Coke Can Chicken.