Inner West, Sydney
Visit website
Longrain is a contemporary restaurant and bar uniquely located within an expansive, 110 year-old converted warehouse. A hip, yet welcoming atmosphere is combined with warm service, original cocktails, an inspired wine list and award-winning, modern Thai/Asian food, created by executive chef, Martin Boetz. Positioned within the heart of the artistic design quarter of inner-city Surry Hills, Longrain is only minutes from Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs – making it both a popular lunch and dinner destination for locals and visitors alike. Industrial features of the original warehouse co-exist with modern design additions, such as a signature wall of woven-wood panelling and a contemporary selection of Australian art and photography by celebrated artists such as Christopher Hodges. The relaxed cocktail bar, with its long banquette, is home to resident DJs who create the perfect mood for lounging back and sipping cocktails. The caipiroska is Longrain’s signature cocktail and is often credited as the cocktail at the heart of the ‘stick drink’ revival. Other infamous in-house cocktails include the Ping Pong, Camp Bitch and Bloody Longrain.
Make a Function Enquiry
Longrain
85 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills, NSWVisit website
Longrain is a contemporary restaurant and bar uniquely located within an expansive, 110 year-old converted warehouse. A hip, yet welcoming atmosphere is combined with warm service, original cocktails, an inspired wine list and award-winning, modern Thai/Asian food, created by executive chef, Martin Boetz. Positioned within the heart of the artistic design quarter of inner-city Surry Hills, Longrain is only minutes from Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs – making it both a popular lunch and dinner destination for locals and visitors alike. Industrial features of the original warehouse co-exist with modern design additions, such as a signature wall of woven-wood panelling and a contemporary selection of Australian art and photography by celebrated artists such as Christopher Hodges. The relaxed cocktail bar, with its long banquette, is home to resident DJs who create the perfect mood for lounging back and sipping cocktails. The caipiroska is Longrain’s signature cocktail and is often credited as the cocktail at the heart of the ‘stick drink’ revival. Other infamous in-house cocktails include the Ping Pong, Camp Bitch and Bloody Longrain.
Make a Function Enquiry
Longrain Photos
Longrain Review
Review By Nastasia Campanella
For a little while, Sydney has been playing catch-up with Melbourne’s amazing bar scene. I think it is pretty safe to say that Sydney has definitely made its mark in the way of nightlife. We’ve got a selection of great small bars, some cool Japanese-inspired watering holes and we’ve even turned some of our gallery spaces into pubs too. Now, we can add top Thai cocktail bars to the long list.
Opened in 1999, Longrain is a place with a New York vibe. It’s been a popular bar ever since it opened. They’ve now got a revamped drinks list so Sydney has its very own piece of Bangkok without the bad smells and people flogging fake designer watches and bags. The bar and adjoining restaurant of the same name, is located inside a huge warehouse. The large space boasts a long banquette slithered up one side of the bar. Chunky wooden tables and stools are dotted across the other side.
Famous sommelier, Sam Christie runs the floor here. With stints at Sydney’s iconic, Bayswater Brasserie, Tetsuya’s and London’s, Terence Conran’s Quaglion’s to his resume, you know the drinks are going to be top class! The drinks aren’t cheap so we’re pretty limited in our choices. I end up sitting on a banana vodka martini all night.
Food wise, we’re spoilt for choice! When our snacks arrive, we pretty much declare everything created by head chef, Martin Boetz is a work of art. These aren’t the cheapest bar nibbles you’ll find in Sydney. I loved the betel leaf with a prawn smothered in coconut, mint and chilli [$5.50]. The salt and pepper cuttlefish with lime dressing [$27.00] was silky and sweet. Stand out though, was the sweets! We shared a sample plate [$36.00]. We got small tastings of the coconut sorbet which was fresh and light followed by a coconut caramel custard tart. Next was the black sticky rice, apple custard and coconut ice cream.
This is a place where men wear suits on weekends and the ladies make an extra effort. With different local and international DJ’s spinning African and Asian inspired beats every night of the week, the atmosphere is relaxed, yet funky. Eat your way through the platters, sip on the 30 something cocktails and expensive wines or take a look at the Longrain merch. Yes, you’re able to walk away from your tantalizing Thai experience with a cook book, CD’s and other cool bits and pieces. This is a great bar that will never get old.
Make a Function Enquiry