roguish ventures: Old Mates Place
roguish ventures is about doing something different. It’s about finding excellence in the smallest detail.
In particular, finding the right excellence for the right moment.
Those who know me know that roguish ventures has been in the works for a very long time.
It just never seemed to fit in with my life.
But now it does, and I am proud to bring this edition of roguish ventures to you.
This week, my journey takes me to Old Mates Place
Old Mates Place
Sydney has all sorts of bars.
It has rooftop bars.
It has speakeasies.
It has dive bars.
It has expensive bars.
But this bar is none of those, and yet all of those things.
I’m talking of course, about the conundrum that is Old Mates Place.
Located on Clarence street, you might have trouble finding it. Myself, I find it by looking for the crowd of people hovering on the street, wondering where it is.
This is not a bar for questioning yourself. Walk inside and take the lift to the top floor.
Once you open that non-descript door, your confidence will be rewarded.
Old Mate’s Place is a split personality, with 2 very separate bar areas, the lower speakeasy and the rooftop terrace. Stepping into the lower bar is like stepping into a murder mystery. A dark and brooding room is light by sparse tungsten bulbs, the occasional candle and a singular large window, its harsh light creating long and sharp shadows all across the interior space. It would be rather intimidating if it wasn’t for the lush greenery adorning the bookshelves. It feels like it has been ripped straight from Cluedo. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if we encountered Mr Black, murdered in this room by Colonel Mustard with the Candlestick.
The seating area itself almost feels like it was designed for it as well. There are several moderately sized booths right near the door, that can comfortably sit half a dozen. There is also low chair seating just opposite the bar, which also has enough space for about 6 people.
Taking the stairs at the back of the room takes you to the rooftop terrace. It may not have the views of the likes of Opera Bar, but it is much more intimate. I have spent many a summer afternoon wasting away the afternoon discussing the duality of man with friends over a VB Throwie. And if you haven’t done so, this is the perfect place to try.
It really is a scene from a murder mystery
Bars in 2020 follow 1 of 2 rules. It’s either all bookings, or no bookings at all. Old Mate’s Place follows the later. If you are coming here with friends for after work drinks, I would suggest getting here early, as it fills up quickly. Especially the rooftop, which is so good that lines waiting for the rooftop often go out the door.
However, I was drinking alone on this occasion. And one of the few joys in such an outing is that there is almost always a space. In this particular instance, there is almost always a single table spare at Old Mates Place. It is a high bar table, right next to the door for the bathrooms. There is no lighting, and quite tight. But for me, it is perfect.
On the drinks front, Old Mate’s provides a raft of options. Beer, Wine, even some food. In fact, they have VB Throwies, which are perfect for a summer afternoon mates sesh’. But the lower bar is not about those options. It’s about cocktails, and in that regard, it does not disappoint.
Get your hands on the cocktail menu and explore the selection of signature cocktails. Some are simple variations of classics. Others are a just a delight and come in amazing tiki glassware. And others are a true experience, like the cocktail that comes hidden in a book. But all of them are, quite frankly, delicious and well-crafted. They also range in prices, with some being quite affordable, and others (like the book-encased cocktail) get into the $30.
And that takes me back to the beginning, and my main problem writing this post.
What kind of bar is Old Mate’s Place?
It’s not quite a dive bar, and yet, it does have some delightfully affordable options.
The lower bar feels like a speakeasy, but upstairs contains one of the most intimate rooftops in Sydney. It is a conundrum filled with alcohol and good times.
In fact, the best analogy for it might actually be Cluedo. Like the board game, the base elements always remain the same. It will always have the rooftop bar, the delightful cocktails and some of the most cheerful bartenders in the entire city. But what makes a visit to Old Mates so special is not those base elements on their own. Rather, it is the combination of those elements that make each visit a delight. And with different combinations available every time, each visit becomes its own mystery. Will it be a beer on the rooftop with friends? An intimate cocktail with a beautiful blonde in a booth? Or a sombre whiskey at the bar on your own?
Whatever the mystery, you can be certain you will enjoy the mystery unfolding at Old Mate’s Place.
