Beer, bistro nosh, pool and Wednesday night poker are the staples at this new local. The cocktail bar upstairs doubles as a private function space.
Savvy locals can often be found buzzing around this Surry Hills spot. Set on Devonshire Street - a hop, skip and a jump from Central Station - Hotel Clarendon walks the line between bar and pub. The main bar's French windows take in the passing urban parade and can be thrown open to the weather during the warmer months.
The modern space is decked out with three plasma screens, a red velvet pool table and a handful of discreetly placed pokies. Here, a mix of business suits, sassy urbanites and students throw back drinks from the bar. Six beers flow on tap, including Beez Neez, Stella Artois and Cascade Blonde. Roll in on Wednesdays for a fun-filled (and booze-fuelled) poker night, which kicks off at 6.30pm.
Upstairs, there's a cocktail bar which also serves as a popular function spot. Here, shimmering gold and turquoise wallpaper coats one wall and scattered chocolate brown leather lounges create a cosy spot for bar-goers to kick back and browse the cocktail menu. Sweet-toothed tipplers should try the Bee's Nees Martini. It melds Plymouth gin together with honey, lime and orange juice.
Also upstairs is an attractive restaurant space, serving pizzas, pastas, burgers and salads.
Victoria Brooks
