Grasshopper

Tucked away down a small alleyway, ironcially named Temperance Lane, is Grasshopper,  a bar with grazing food in the cellar and dining room on the upper floor. This underrated place is ideal for a CBD drink without the tourists or general grog heads that you tend to find in the more traditional George Street pubs. 

Small bar bingo shows a full house; all the elements are there, retro furniture – check, eclectic decorative objects – check, vintage style cult cool images decoupaged on the wall – check, 1970s telly – check, cocktails served in jars - BINGO.  For worshippers of the tobacco plant, there is an outdoor area in the alley of Temperance Lane, featuring upturned plastic milk crates, heaters and romantic tea lights. 

The cocktails are good, but the underrated star of the show has to be the food. Even just eating in the bar area, as opposed to the dining room, the food was fantastic. The sharing charcuterie platter with bread was a great grazer with the perfect amount for two to share and top quality cured meats. The wedges are great but the biltong aioli (which admittedly I was sceptical of) was a delight. Smooth, tangy, vinegary – perfect with the creamy rosemary wedges and very moreish.  Even for those not looking for dinner should indulge in the nibbles plate, a selection of pastry twists / canapés, ideal to savour with a glass of fizz.

The Grasshopper, 1 Temperance Lane, Sydney 2000