By Andrew Starke
Owner Tess Robens and her staff at Corridor are the toast of King Street in Newtown after beating out the likes of Grandma's Bar, Eau-de-Vie and Pocket to claim the title of Sydney's best small bar.
The 2011 City of Sydney Business Awards were announced last week by Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
"Sydney's reputation as a small bar city is growing around the world with reviews from New York to London and since its launch in 2010, Corridor has been lauded for its ever-changing cocktail list, eclectic live music, talented local bartenders and creative food menu,” she said.
"Corridor is one of more than 40 small bars that have set up across the city over the past few years, thanks to relaxed licensing laws and our push for more creative and diverse night time options."
This year's City of Sydney awards saw 640 businesses nominated and almost 67,000 votes across 22 categories.
The small bar title was fiercely contested with the Newtown wine bar trumping some well-established rivals.
"Corridor is a little piece of King Street tucked away between a handful of well-known venues – it's a bit hard to find but well worth the hassle once you walk through the doors," said owner Robens.
"Our team has been working in hospitality since we could drink, and we decided it was time to give Newtown the kind of bar we'd love to go to – with a beautiful rear deck, cheeky little cocktail lounge and excellent selection of food, wine and beer.
"While it's been a challenge to get attention on a strip that's already so well-established, we're really happy with what we've created – a little hole in the wall where the staff will make you feel like a part of the family before you finish ordering.”
Last year the small bar award went to Grasshopper.