Try the dirty daiquiri at Razz Room in Sydney’s CBD
Live jazz, a friendly crowd and a lively, salty and delicious spin on the daiquiri are the order of the day at Odd Culture’s brand new York Street bar.
Cocktail enthusiasts, take note. Dirty daiquiri have hit town and no one is being taken prisoner. Think of it as the dirty martini’s kissing cousin; white rum, lemon juice and olive brine, garnished with three fleshy olives.
You’ll find this crunchy, salty and delicious number at 20 York Street. Follow the big red letter “R” into the basement and you’ll be greeted by a beautifully lit open-plan space with exposed beams, blood-red velvet curtains, crooked mirrored balls and lots of cozy little tables. This is the first bar Odd Culture has opened since midnight lounge The Pleasure Club in Newtown. This is also the hospitality group’s first foray into the CBD and it’s coming out big time.
For starters, there is live music. Tonight local Sydney act Mister Ott is blasting Ethio-jazz. The sunken room is full. The energy is palpable. Cocktails fill the tables and sweet conversations spread from table to table. It’s a great weather.
There are also snacks that follow the general rule of OTT with an extra serving of T. Crisp. For example, a small spoonful of caviar is added to golden-fried parmesan-stuffed potato skins.
“Dirty Royale cheeseburger” means a pink, plump wagyu patty, Red Leicester cheese, tomato sauce, mustard and pickles on a thick, soft roll. It is then cut in half and placed face down in a pool of cheese béchamel. Personally, I think the burger is great without being a sticky mess, but it gives the internet something to talk about.
A shrimp cocktail served in a retro wavy-stemmed cocktail glass, the star is sweet-juicy shrimps topped with tails and served on a bed of chopped iceberg, smothered in Marie Rose sauce. The pork meatballs are surprisingly red-hot spicy and coated in a sticky chili sauce. If you really want to amp up the flavor blur, try dipping garlic curds (crispy fried dough coated in garlic and chili oil) into meatball sauce.
They call it a discotheque and daiquiri bar “inspired by the glittering days of disco and excess of the New York underground.” Considering it was a bit before my time, I guess it’s hard to argue with how this looks, sounds, or feels. Although I guess there aren’t many underground discos that put pandan in their daiquiris or wax in their Rusty Nails. A sour amaretto and a night with Giorgio Moroder? This feels right.
However, if you forget about what they’re referencing and focus on what they offer, you can have a lot of fun ordering. Try a world of brightly colored, sweet and fruity cocktails (hello, strawberry daiquiri flavored with the slightest touch of Sichuan pepper). And since you can order via QR code, you don’t have to see the bartender’s face when you order another round of Pavlova Fruit Tingles (a fruity, bright blue hurricane glass of vodka, curacao, kiwi and passion fruit).
A hot tip on QR codes. There’s a menu of classic cocktails that aren’t included in the hard copy of the list you’ll find on your table. If you’re after the classics – Torontos, Old Pals, South Sides – you’ll find them here.
The slogan that most accurately resonates with the attitude of the bars of that time is “everyone is welcome”. The crowd here is a real melting pot of ages and persuasions. If you’re looking for new, fun, and exciting date night options—places that break the ice and don’t put too much pressure on the date—then Razz Room has just what you’re looking for.
Three other live music bars to check out
Mary’s Underground
It was The Basement, once one of Sydney’s best-loved venues for live jazz. Now, thanks to the gang behind Newtown dive and burger bar Mary’s, A great mix of presentation, from italo-disco to post-punk.
29 Reiby Place, Sydney, marysunderground.com
Trocadero Room
I love magpie, Earl’s Juke Joint And Jacoby’s Tiki Bar? Here’s another one from the band, this time with live hip hop. Grab a frozen negroni and settle in.
156 Enmore Road, Enmore, trocaderoroom.com
Lazy Hall
Looking to hear a night of live yacht rock, J-pop, soul, jazz or Tom Waits covers? This upstairs gem in the heart of Marrickville offers it all and then some.
294 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, lazyboneslounge.com.au
Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and independently paid. A restaurant cannot pay for a review or inclusion on a list. Good Food Guide.
Myffy Rigby is the former editor of Good Food Guide.
