THE SCENE: A short distance away Sydney’s Central Station on the Surry Hills side, Tipple Bar and Bistro’s bar interior is relaxed and inviting with a kind of kitsch, rock ’n’ roll vibe which is highlighted by the comic-book inspired wallpaper and the guitar amplifiers acting as tables littering the place. Tipple, then sets itself up well to cater to any kind of crowd, be it inner city professionals, or rowdy backpackers from Bounce Hostel next door.
THE GRUB: The menu can best be described as ‘inventive pub food’ and all the standard pub food staples are here – chicken schnitzels, soft shell tacos and burgers – but they all more or less stand out from the pack. The tacos are some the best I’ve eaten anywhere in Sydney and the 24-hour marinated chicken comes with a crunchy pico de gallo and a chipotle cream which gives a nice hint of heat. We also had a bucket of delicious fresh prawns and a solid, if somewhat uninspired, double bacon and cheese burger which was just a little too salty for my liking.
BEHIND THE BAR: Tipple has its own ‘Pistole’ Lager ($5) which go down an absolute treat with a few prawns. Try a $16 Tippletini too, if you’re a fan of peach liqueur.
BILL PLEASE: Couple of $5 tacos, a bucket of the beautifully fresh prawns, maybe a salad (beetroot is a steal at $12) and a jug of lager, you’d be absolutely sorted.
VERDICT: Relatively cheap, inexpensive and delicious. More than worth a visit!
28 Chalmers St, Surry Hills
