Stitch Bar Review

Review By Rachel Corbett

Sydney’s CBD has long been crying out for the kind of bars that Melbourne has in abundance. Watering holes that are the perfect mix of style and substance with the added allure of being almost impossible to find, and thankfully ‘Stitch’ on York Street has all this in abundance.

Hidden away between shop fronts, if you’re not sure where you’re going this place is easy to miss. In fact, when you eventually spy the hanging clothes and spools of cotton that herald the entrance, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were about to wander into a secret sweat shop or alternatively that you should have brought along that pair of pants you’ve been meaning to have taken up.

Despite the name, and the sartorial paraphernalia that greets you at the door, the only thing that this place fashions is a darn good drink and as a result it doesn’t take long for the available seating to be all sewn up.If you are hoping to settle in for the night you best clock off early or you’ll be fighting the masses for one of the candlelit tables. However, early birds should be warned that with a cocktail list and menu as good as this one it is easy to find yourself wandering up the stairs many hours after you arrived unsure of where the time went.

Part vintage yard sale, part French bordello, the owners of this place (who also own Pocket Bar in Surry Hills) know how to take a mixture of bric-a-brac, chicken wire, sewing patterns and red velvet and fashion it into a place you’ll never want to leave.

Just like Pocket Bar, the cocktail list (around $17.50-$26) is impressive, but the food was one of the great surprises of the night.

Part American diner, part Mexican Cantina this place dishes up hot dogs, burgers and tacos (all between $15-20) as well as a few mains ($18-$26). The hot dogs have an impressive reputation but after finally deciding to go with the pork ribs I’m pretty sure I heard my belly thank me. They were melt in your mouth good and reason alone to go back.

If you were hoping to come down as a larger group there are a couple of rooms that can be reserved so you’re not fighting for space. The ‘Side Room’ holds 10-12 people and looks like the kind of place you could get up to some serious mischief in. ‘The Cell’ is for 6-8 people and is more ‘dinner party’ than ‘den of iniquity’ but still great if you want to make sure that you and your pals have somewhere to take a load off.

Whatever your reason for wandering down the stairs this is definitely a must check out Sydney bar.

After all, they say a stitch in time saves nine, but Stitch Bar in York Street may have saved the CBD.



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A Second Review of Stitch Bar

Review By Teresa Dodaro

Outside of a factory in old Surry Hills at happy hour, never has the sight of multiple black vintage Singer sewing machines been associated with the promise of cocktails and champagne.

Whilst decorative rows of wine bottles is ordinarily what one would expect on entering a bar of this calibre, in a truly innovative approach to style, Stitch has aptly opted for the remarkable and aesthetically appealing Singers which, lined up in rows on a wall, provide a delightful entry point before descending a rather wide flight of stairs to the actual bar: a dark haven – almost cellar or cave like, with great ambience and a bustling crowd. At the base of the stairs, you find yourself most conveniently located in the midst of the bar area – a happy thought for those keen to drink without delay. Stitch is divided into charming little nooks and crannies with small wooden tables, some in separate dark rooms. If you’re lucky, you’ll secure one of the coveted booths. Lamps, candles, drapes, and an abundance of wood, complete the picture of a very casual but enchanting space that even a Melbournite would grudgingly approve.

One would not imagine that a place serving hot dogs would have Krug on the champagne list or, indeed, have champagne at all. However, to my surprise (and joy), Stitch offers an excellent choice including the usual favourites such as Veuve and Moet and, mercifully, avoids the typical horror list of cheap, yet overpriced, brutal sparklies. However, for those seeking a more modest but decent bubbly, a good Prosecco is usually a smooth winner, or a Chandon, for around $12. Tempting as the champagne is, given few venues in Sydney may boast good cocktails, a perusal of the extensive cocktail list is recommended.

In my usual style, I opted straight for the Daisy Jane – being my usual standard of smooth, fluffy and pink although, on this occasion, most originally presented in a mini Chambord style bottle with the added aesthetic appeal of a generous dusting of icing sugar. Whilst this created havoc with my black velvet jacket, I was nevertheless pleased. The cocktail list is original and varied, with an inspiring range of flavours, at an average price of $18. Unfortunately having been distracted at the first sight of chunky chips, I failed to give any consideration to the wine list.

Albeit a dash Yankee in style - with all the burgers and hot dogs - the bar food is substantial and tasty. When the hand cut chunky potato chips are that good and hot, one can even forgive the inclusion of nachos on the menu. The table service was surprisingly smooth and efficient notwithstanding the loud music and general bustle, thereby avoiding the necessity for implementing the ghastly system of plastic table numbers which disturbingly vibrate when the food is ready.

Despite the York Street address, there was not a strong presence of suits and, instead, the crowd was so generic, casual and unassuming, that there was little scope for the ridicule and criticism of others, which always dampens a good night out.

Just as I had started to despair that a Sydney venue would ever magically combine a great atmosphere, with good bar food and an excellent choice of beverages, Stitch seems to have satisfied all the criteria – being no small feat.

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