By Suzan Ryan, editor bars&clubs
Ken Done, Alan Bond, pink flamingos, frosted hair and flair bartending are all the rage at new Sydney city venue, Bondy’s, set to open this Friday October 31.
Located on the site formerly occupied by The Hide restaurant, Bondy’s is a homage to the excess and ostentation of the ‘80s, with the motto: “The future is bleak, let’s look to the past”.
Brush past the birds of paradise plants and into the gold elevator and you’re on level one, which is decked out with Ken Done original artworks (Done provided the venue five pieces from his personal archive to hang on the walls) and velvet booths. Angular-stem martini glasses and Cristal Champagne are the order of the day. There is even a $20,000 cocktail, garnished with a luxurious pearl necklace.
The new venture is the creation of Pelicano restaurant co-owners Daimon Downey and Tim Holmes a Court along with Kate McMahon (Catalina).
Drinks-wise Bondy’s has a house brew, crafted by Carlton and United Breweries: Bondy’s Lager. It is also the only place in Australia to serve Foster’s beer on tap.
The bar menu mixes tasty with tongue-in-cheek: bite-sized Devils On Horseback (dates stuffed with almonds, wrapped in bacon); chilled king prawn cocktail with Thousand Island dressing; cocktail franks with French mustard; and – for the sweet tooth – cold and creamy slices of Vienetta.
Bondy’s: Level 1, 16 Philip Lane, Sydney. Hours: Wednesday to Saturday – 5pm til late.
the beach hotel in byron bay has been serving foster’s for a while now. pretty good drop too!!