Low 302
Here's a bar that knows what it's doing. It gets the drinks the right, it gets the music right and even if the food is kind of ordinary, it doesn't matter - the vibe is right. Surry Hills' most recent addition to an already thriving scene is this dark, low-lit bar and we're all the happier for it.
Remember that Greek restaurant on Crown Street where you'd always see skeezy-looking guys standing around outside sucking down ciggies while drunk hens would be inside smashing plates? In its place you'll find a moody room a very well stocked bar. Lush red velvet drapes line one end of the dark, wooden panelled space scattered with high tables and a big outdoor front section that spills onto the street. The big blackboard up the front of the bar is filled with interesting cocktail specials including a Sloe Car (just like your average Sidecar, only made with sloe gin rather than cognac). The regular menu is chockers with fantastic, interesting cocktails put together by bartender David Ramos Hernandez and a great range of beers, too. Nothing on tap, which is a shame, but plenty of the good stuff by the bottle such as Sapporo, Coopers, and Estrella Galicia - a particularly tasty Spanish cerveza (that's beer to youse).
Some of the bartenders are from the much lauded Victoria Room and have a keen eye for classic cocktails. This little black duck has been getting into trouble lately for writing about Negronis too much (they're so great!) but the one at 302 deserves a mention. It's perfectly balanced with chunky ice cubes and a twist of orange. It may not seem like a challenge with a drink consisting of equal parts Campari, gin and sweet vermouth, but to get something so simple perfect isn't easy.
It's rare to find really outstanding food in bars that place more of their efforts into the drinks (no bad thing) and Low 302 does not buck the trend. That said, as a raft for the booze, it'll do just fine. There are fetta stuffed meatballs, hand-cut chips, and a range of crostini. All picking food, mind, but great if you're hanging out to drink, rather than the other way around.
The music also pumps. Stones ('Sympathy for the Devil'), Patti Smith ('Ask the Angels'), Elvis Costello ('Oliver's Army'), Vampire Weekend ('A Punk') and The Who ('Substitute') all pipe through the speakers until a little later when the DJ gets on the decks and plays actual records. You'll hear soul, jazz and rock'n'roll even if they need to fiddle with the sound a little (loud, loud, loud); awesome tunes abound.
Low 302 is a welcome addition to Sydney's drinking scene and we're most happy to ring it in.
Myffy Rigby
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