Taking our inspiration from Calvin Klein‘s latest fragrance “Downtown” and the campaign fronted by compelling modern beauty Rooney
Mara, we put together a list of spots around Australia that capture the
vibe of Manhattan’s iconoclastic cultural center. Start spreading the news that there’s no reason to leave today when all these NY, NY destinations are right around the corner.
Frankie’s Pizza – Sydney
Address: 58 Hunter St, Sydney
Opening Hours: Daily, 4 pm til 4 am
Website: www.facebook.com/stcfrankiespizza
The front pizza restaurant is like something out of a Woody Allen movie, with red and white tablecloths, fake plastic vines and candles dripping wax down wine bottles. Hidden out the back, however is a greasy 70’s rock and roll bar where you half-expect to see The Ramones tapping away at one of the pinball machines lining the back wall. Look out for the big neon sign on Hunter St.
The Everleigh – Melbourne
Address: Upstairs at 150 – 156 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Opening Hours: Open 5:30 PM Until 1 am every day
Website: www.theeverleigh.com
Opened under the watchful eye of Sasha Petraske, head honcho at the members-only, old-fashioned Manhattan drinkery Milk and Honey, The Everleigh
is a luxurious, exclusive speakeasy where they take the making of cocktails
(and the subsequent enjoyment of them) very, very seriously. We’re
talking hand-cut ice serious, and the best value to be had is when you
simply ask the overwhelmingly qualified bartenders to make you something
of their choosing. Hang up your hat, coat, and desire for Jagerbombs at
the door.
Mary’s Restaurant – Sydney
Address: 6 Mary St, Newtown
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 4 pm – Midnight; Sat Noon – Midnight; Sun Noon – 10 pm
Website: N/A
Boasting a menu curated by Luke Powell (Ex-Tetsuya’s) and the coolest staff this side of the Brooklyn Bridge, Mary’s is relaxed, unassuming and hip as hell – so much so that they have neither a website, nor a Facebook, nor any signage outside the venue. Enjoy Yankee bar favourites like one of the best burgers in Sydney, and something called a Larry Bird: that’s two whole chickens, deep fried. The sort of thing you’d think that only an American could love, but turns out to be incredibly delicious and you’ll probably end up eating both of them yourself.
The Bowery – Brisbane
Address: 676 Ann St, Brisbane
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun, 5 pm – 3 am
Website: thebowery.com.au
Make like Hannah Horvath and check out The Bowery. Taking its name from “a street in New York City infamous for its speakeasies during prohibition”
(and currently sharing it with a famous New York venue where this
writer spent a hazy New Years Eve in 2009 hanging out with a lesbian
named Tara), this gin joint is like something straight out of the East
Village, with live jazz during the week and DJ’s on the weekend.
Huxtaburger – Melbourne
Address: Collingwood – 106 Smith St; CBD – Rear of 357 Collins St
Opening Hours: Collingwood: Sun – Thurs 11:30 am til 10 pm, Fri/Sat 11:30 am til 11 pm; CBD: Mon – Sat 11:30 am til 10 pm, Closed Sun
Website: www.huxtaburger.com.au
The queues can be long, but the craft beers are cold and the burgers are well worth it. Huxtaburger‘s
two locales in Collingwood and the CBD share a New York diner vibe
(which is so cosy you’ll be fighting for arm space at the bar-type
seating), and the almost-brioche buns and the imported American ketchup and
mustard make the tastes authentic, as well as delicious.
The Laneway Lounge – Perth
Address: 414A Murray St, Perth
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 4pm till Midnight
Website: www.thelanewaylounge.com.au
Get
a little bit fancy with a food and drinks menu full of Heston-esuqe
experimentation, with squid served in miniature aquariums, champagne
sorbets and absinthe fairy floss all having been available at one time
or another. The Laneway Lounge menu, coupled with it’s nightly jazz acts and sneaky location screams “NY hidden gem“.
Udaberri – Adelaide
Address: 11-13 Leigh St Adelaide
Opening Hours: Tue-Fri 4pm till late, Saturday 6pm till late
Website: www.udaberri.com.au
The newly crowned South Australian Bar of the Year combines meatpacking-district chic with one of the best espresso martinis going around. Samantha, Carrie and co. would love it.
