A Review of 5 Boroughs

Review by Dionne Alaveras

Situated amidst the glamour, scandal and excited chaos of Sydney’s celebrated Kings Cross, one will stumble across the newly established bar, the 5 Boroughs. This charismatic bar sets itself apart from Kings Cross, a bar combining elegance, style and oozing with a cool and relaxed tone. This bar brings the acknowledged elements of Surry Hills and Bondi night life into the Cross. Walking into this bar one would clearly see the unique and exceptional combination of three celebrated elements of Sydney night life, Kings Cross, Surry Hills and Bondi.

This picturesque bar with white picket fenced front seating eludes an essence of both classic glamour and culture. With classic torn vintage wallpaper, frescoed gold trimmings, black walls and a pop of colour with a green vined wall with glints of twinkling fairy lights, picked from the set of the blockbuster film Wolverine, this bar looks like a vintage Victorian parlour with a taste of modern prestige.

Along with the vibrant and enthusiastic décor, the drink menu is just as colourful. Bar maid Holly who is just as enthusiastic as the bar itself will happily fix you up with classic and creative cocktails priced at $10 from 6-9pm Thursday till Sunday. Thirst quenching beers at $6 from 6-9pm, house spirits from $7, Boroughs 5 at $7.50 and if you’re feeling adventurous Holly will fix you a Dr Pepper and Bourbon, which is the bars specialty. If ‘one drink’ isn’t enough for $25, one could have one of Holly’s exotic jugs, ‘Summer in Peru’ being a favourite.

Upon arrival, the owner Abe greets you with an ‘allo allo’ accentuating the bars feel of warmth and contentment. This bar not only allows the opportunity for friends to gather and have a great time, but also the opportunity to meet a spectrum of different people from all different ages. Many crowds walk through the doors of the 5 Boroughs, young adults, locals and even mature adults. With people laughing, talking merrily, the atmosphere is abuzz with bliss. The most unique aspect of this bar is its duality; it is also a café, allowing a coffee date to turn into a night of drinks without the hassle of going home changing and travelling again.

All in all, this bar has a great atmosphere, great drinks to suit all tastes at great prices, along with a prime location. Its unique combination of different renown Sydney nightlife and stylish décor make it appealing to the eye, first capturing a customers interest. However, it is the quality of drinks, coffee and food and the enthusiastic and friendly staff running the bar that turn customers into friends and turn a business into a spot of comfort, laughter and all round good time. 5 Boroughs is not just a bar to be stumbled upon in Sydney’s famous Kings Cross, but a place you can’t help but keep returning to.

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