The Local Taphouse
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d struck craft beer nirvana at this sensitively renovated Darlo pub (the old Palace Hotel). There’s a whopping twenty-one lagers, ales and ciders on tap, with one hand-pump, plus tasting notes with prices! If that’s all too much, the (handsome) barman will triangulate a beer according to your taste descriptors – mine was a fruity Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale ($7.00/310ml) – or you can go the whole hog with a Tasting Paddle ($15/5 x 90ml). Speaking of hog, the Pulled Pork Burger ($18) is all kinds of juicy (eat it over the plate) but flavoursome, with two types of excellent hand-cut chips. Its skin is fashioned into a bar snack of House-Made Pork Crackling ($5) served with baked apple sauce – best against Weston’s Twist Winter Spice Cider ($5.60/310ml). The menu rejuvenated my love for pub classics like Chicken Schnitzel Parma ($20), a moist crumbed breast judiciously coated with Napoli sauce, grilled eggplant and melted cheese, and served with beer-battered fries. If you’re not here to eat (you really should) after 5pm Mon-Thurs three bar snacks and a brew will only set you back fifteen bucks – the Buffalo Wings ($8) are excellent. Best beer I tried was a nod to Silvio Berlusconi: Birra Del Borgo Myrtle’s Bunga Bunga Party ($11/330ml).
The Local Taphouse
122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst
Ph: (02) 9360 0088 thelocal.com.au
Pub Bistro $$
