What To Expect @ Shady Pines Saloon

Review by Rachel Corbett

Once you step inside Shady Pines Saloon, you'll wish your trusty stead was tied up outside waiting to take you off into the sunset. A little slice of the Wild West in East Sydney, the only thing that's missing from this bar is a set of swinging saloon doors and a moustached pianist to stop playing 'Raw Hide' as you enter the room.

The nondescript white door belies the den of Americana within but you have to have a seriously keen eye to find this place. You could be wandering around the laneways of Darlinghurst for hours but once you're inside, it's well worth the search as you sip a mint julep with your fellow outlaws.

The bar staff know their poison and stand in front of a collection of bottles that could be confused for an apothecary. Despite the intimidating entrance, this is one of those places where you could definitely turn up alone and share your troubles with the friendly bar staff over a stiff whiskey, or just sit at the bar and read your book with a glass of Cab Sav. The complimentary and never ending bowl of peanuts that comes with each drink can be addictive and easily regretted after the third bowl, but there's something about shelling your peanuts as you converse with your pals that makes you forget about all the things that are going on outside.

It's pretty easy to lose an entire evening sitting around the dark wooden tables in this candle lit tribute to the American Old West. Their wine and cocktail list isn't extensive but there's nothing they can't conjure up and a request of 'surprise me' turns up some pretty exciting results. The juices are freshly squeezed at the bar and if you drink on a Tuesday you'll get the produce straight after it's come from the market.

Lovers of a unique atmosphere will be hard pressed to find a better venue, but if you have a fear of taxidermy you should probably find another watering hole. The walls are adorned with hunting trophies, sepia photographs, old liquor bottles, and a big American flag but despite all this paraphernalia it doesn't feel like TGI Fridays or the Hard Rock Cafe. It's the perfect amount of kitsch.

This place gets pretty packed on the weekends so if you can make it for an early drink during the week there is something nice about this place when it's almost empty. Even when there aren't many patrons you'll still have Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers to keep you company.




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A 2nd Look @ Shady Pines Saloon

Review by Sarah Han

Lately my girlfriends and I have slowly been working our way through the small bars in Darlinghurst. On a Saturday night at 9.30pm, we decide to try out Shady Pines Saloon, which can be found in a little dodgy-looking alleyway behind Oxford Street. It's almost impossible to find this bar, especially seeing as there's no sign outside. But we know that we're at the right place because there's a reasonable line. The friendly bouncer tells us that the bar is at capacity, so unfortunately we have to wait a while.

But when we enter, we're pleasantly surprised. This place is worth the wait. The brick walls are decorated with animal heads, Marlboro signs, and Native American statues. Wooden tables and chairs fill the room and barstools are lining the bar. It's a scene straight out of a western movie. The only downside is that it's ridiculously hot - maybe from all the home-made candles on every table. They're recycled jars filled with white wax.

We immediately make our way to the bar and order some cocktails. There are only five cocktails on the list, which I find disappointing. Many other bars offer much more extensive cocktail lists. However, the Bloody Mary wins me over. It not only has a wonderful zing to it, but the best part is that it's served in a plastic tomato sippy cup with a straw. I was also very impressed with the vodka and fresh green apple juice. The freshness makes it absolutely delicious. The bartenders use a juicer for these mixed drinks and cocktails.

With drinks in hand, we luckily find a table in the corner of the room. A staff member promptly drops a bowl of shelled peanuts on our table, which we gleefully gobble up. Since it's an American saloon it's only fair that there's drawly country and western music playing. By 11.30pm we're told to order our last drinks because the bar closes at midnight. We leave in high spirits.

Darlinghurst bars are typically sophisticated and stylish, but Shady Pines is quite the opposite. It has a different kind of intrigue - homey, cosy, and almost kitschy. Even though we were probably the youngest ones there - generally speaking the crowd was over 30 - I'd recommend this bar to people of any age.

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