DRINK > Busby’s Bar, Paddington (Sydney)

Busby’s feels a bit more like a bar you might find in Tokyo or Kyoto rather than Paddington and that is due to the resurgent popularity old vinyl and enjoying those good tunes in a funky dark space. But Busby’s is in Paddington, Sydney not Japan so it has a focus on wine (and some cocktails and beers) and a European menu.

Its the Darlinghurst end of Oxford street next door to the Palace Verona Cinema’s and the bookshop Berkelouw.

Busby’s is the bar for the new Oxford House Hotel (more on this soon) and here you will find good wine, great tunes and yummy food. Busby’s is a collaboration between the ‘Maybe Sammy Team’, ‘Clayton Wells, and ‘Ed Loveday’ and the winelist has been curated by esteemed wine writer Mike Bennie (of The Wine Front).

And while there is a focus on wine they also make some excellent cocktails and have a range of beers and cider’s as well.

WINE LIST

The list is broad and covers a great range by the glass (ranging from $16-25), with Gruner Veltliner from Austria (Andorfer ‘Strasser Weinberge’ 2021 at $25) to the Pinot from Tamar Valley in Tasmania (Stoney Rise 2021 – $16). There is a Chablis from Burgundy (Georges Deschamps 2022 – $24) and a Nebbiolo from Lombardy (ArPePe Rosso di Valtelina 2021 – $25).

The bottle range is more extensive with some smart wines you won’t find on everyone else’s list.

FOOD

Starters and snacks like Hervey Bay Scallop, squid ink, jalapeño sauce ($12 each), Angelachu anchovies on grilled sourdough and lemon ($25) and chicken liver parfait with spiced pineapple and liquorice ($22). There is also a twist on beef tartare with rasel hanout, granny smith apple and sheep’s cheese ($25).

Main courses include a couple of pasta dishes including tagliolini with Goolwa pipi’s, dashi and bottarga ($34) a fish course, Blue eye trevalla ($36) and Gooralie pork chop with capers, cornichons and chicken sauce ($40).

SWEETS

The desserts are straightforward but just what you want in a dark room listening some funky tunes; Custard tart with a chantilly cream ($16) as well as passionfruit pavlova ($16) and cheese ($18)

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Image Credit | all images are Busby’s