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Bars

The Publican, Bondi Junction

Meet The Publican, Bondi Junction’s new local pub. What was known as the Eastern Hotel has been re-branded and revitalised into a new breed of pubs designed to lure a new generation of patrons. The Publican is part of the redevelopment of The Eastern which will soon have four destinations within one venue (Anatoli Restaurant, Chimmi’s and El Topo Mexican).

The Publican, Bondi
The Publican, Bondi Junction

Step through the entrance on Oxford Street, and you’ll notice a warm and welcoming feel to this 1930s inspired pub with the odd modern pieces. You’ll find a coveted chaise longue at the front, a semi-circular banquette lining up the rear of the venue, a faux fireplace with a wall of vintage postcards, an old red telephone box, hanging tapestry and a stag’s head.

The Publican, Bondi
Banquettes

The marble top wrap-around bar keeps it very Bondi with a Sydney Brewery canoe and vintage suitcases that give a nod to the suburb’s influx of visitors.

The Publican, Bondi
The Bar

The Publican specialises in craft beer and jaffles, supporting the local craft beer and cider industry with some 60 strong list (soon to be 100) by the bottle and 12 on tap which will be on rotation. If you’re a newbie to craft beer or like to experiment, they offer “Tasters” in small glasses such as the excellent Feral Brewing Co IPA.

The Publican, Bondi
Tasters

Perched high near the telephone box, a Jaffle Bar offers a choice of savoury and sweet jaffles. Each comes served with CCs and a pickle.

The Publican, Bondi
Jaffle Bar

The baked beans and cheddar jaffle ($5) is warming and comforting just like you had when growing up and the slow-braised beef brisket and mushrooms ($9) is tasty and moreish.

The Publican, Bondi
Jaffles

Sweet jaffles ($6) include salted chocolate and walnut brownie and banana, butterscotch sauce and white chocolate served with vanilla cream.

The Publican, Bondi Junction
Bar Manager Mark Langdon

The Public offers a modest cocktail list but shines in the range of Boiler Makers with a choice of eight combinations.

The Publican, Bondi
Islay Boiler Maker

Tempting options include the Oaxacan Boiler Maker with Mezcal Vida and Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and the sensational Islay Boiler Maker with Ardbeg and Feral Smoked Porter is, a warming combination of a rich chocolate Porter with a smoky finish – the perfect companion to the peated Ardbeg whisky.

The Publican, Bondi

With the popularity of Sydney bars, many pubs such as The Balmain Hotel and The Oaks are reinventing themselves and attacting a new breed of patrons. Bondi’s new local is doing it rather well, and in true Bondi style.

The Publican opened on Friday 5 July, 2013.

The Publican
Ground Floor, 500 Oxford St
Bondi Junction, NSW 2026

Open daily from 10 am till late.

About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.

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