Pocket Rocket

By Nastasia Campanella
They say good things come in small packages. Pocket Bar - the latest addition to Oxford St is a small venue with a quirky face, relaxed attitude and a very fun, artistic vibe. For months, the hottest campaign has been Sydney's laneway bars – a concept seeing the small watering holes of Melbourne being replicated in Australia's unofficial capital. Since November 2009, small bars seem to be popping up all across Sydney, but in my opinion, Pocket takes the cake as the best so far.

My friends and I ventured to Pocket at about ten on a Saturday night. A line confronted us at the door and the kind security man let us know the wait would be 20 minutes. A sign on the wall outside kept us amused: "Shh, people are sleeping". The friendly security guard chatted to us while we waited - something unusual in Sydney.

We entered through a very narrow door and were lead to a cute table in the corner of the room. Soft 70's / 80's tunes played softly in the background. It was great to go to a place where one, we could have a conversation without screaming and two, where we could sing along to classic hits. Pocket Bar seats 65, but on the night we went, there may have been a few more. Despite this, we weren't at all squashed.

The bar has a house party feel about it. With the fabulous second hand mismatched furniture, shelves filled with books and decks of cards used as table numbers. Co owner, Carl Schlothauer [who you'll often catch working behind the bar], tells me the furniture was purchased off eBay – from families right across Sydney. The limited space gives a very intimate vibe and is fun for meeting new people as groups tend to share tables and sofas. That night my friends and I played a crazy singing game of Finish The Lyrics with a group of strangers.

Another couple of cool aspects is the fact that staff take and deliver orders and the walls are dressed with very in-your-face art work. A pare of huge boobs stared at us as we flicked through the menu. Yes, that's right, breasts! Artist, Steve Gollow is responsible for this mural and Schlothauer thinks it's hysterical!

I'm not overly impressed with the cocktail selection - there isn't a lot. However, I did enjoy them when they were served. The Bramble was great – blackberries topped with lime, Gin and blackberry Liqueur. The traditional Negroni was also nice – Gin shaken with Vermouth and Campari - it's a drink where bitter and sweet collide nicely. The wine list isn't huge, but I'm told the 15 whites and 20 reds on offer are good ones. This bar doesn't serve shots or pre-mixed drinks either. Food wise, there are just crepes. For a sweet treat, get the banana, strawberry and mascarpone. On the savoury side, the smoked salmon and spinach is nice while the Herb Marinated chicken with crème fraiche is meaty goodness.

By day though, grab yourself a few European delights for breakky – try the Danishes or the classic eggs benedict. Breakfast and beautiful coffee is served daily until three pm which makes for the perfect spot to study. Oh, yes! Who ever thought eggs, a glass of wine and exam notes would mix!

Pocket is one of those places too cute to describe. Keeping food and beverages simple is what I believe makes this bar a success. Grab a mate, slip on a funky t-shirt and get down there to see it for yourself. It's a small place with a very big personality.