House Made Hospitality has welcomed a new bar to its growing Sydney portfolio.
You’ll find Baptist Street Rec. Club above the group’s South-East Asian eatery Island Radio, which opened late last year. An Australiana theme is woven throughout the bar – think posters of iconic TV and movie shows, trophies stuck to the ceiling, and a menu filled with retro cocktails.
The team has snagged former Clam Bar and Double Deuce Lounge bar talent Dan Cramsie to lead the drinks program alongside Beverage Director Jason Williams. “We don’t want to overcomplicate the bar experience,” says Cramsie. “It’s about balancing comfort and familiarity with a touch of creativity, so there’s something for everyone.”
Launch cocktails include a Japanese Slipper with finger lime and yuzucello; a White Russian with burnt butter vodka and maple cream; and a strawberry daiquiri with strawberry gum cordial.
For those who like choice, the team will run monthly specials, with the first batch including a beetroot Negroni and an earl grey fizz. “We’ve created a venue that’s for the people, not the bartenders,” says Williams. “These drinks are well-made and approachable.”
Reccy Lager, Guinness, and local beers are available on tap alongside a wine list that heroes chilled reds, pet-nats, and options from small-batch producers.
A food menu is part and parcel of the modern bar experience, and this one has been fitted out with its own kitchen dubbed Bangkok Dreaming. The food program focuses on smaller bites including Tom Yum rice crackers; barramundi fish cakes; and lamb skewers, but there’s also two share platter options of nine ($32) and 15 ($49) options.
Guests at Island Radio can access the bar via a secret doorway, but the venue has its own entry way on Baptist Street. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm.
