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Grasshopper is an inner city small bar – somewhere you can visit for an after work drink that isn't a massive beer hall. Make those drinks stronger and we'll sit in for a few more.
Here’s a true laneway bar, and the first of its kind in Sydney. There’s no signage and the only way you’d know where it was is to follow the tube tops and high heels down Temperance Lane, which smells a bit like old lettuce and a lot like old wee. It’s very authentic. Inside, the dark room is packed with happy drinkers sucking down beers and cocktails. The drinks, though unusual, aren’t brilliant in their conception or execution. They’re not super boozy, and some of them seem quite small. The bar, when it first opened, had numbered its cocktails #1 - #10, or thereabouts. Today, we order a #34 (a pony of light rum, a tablespoon of cherry brandy, six leaves of mint and a wine glass of cocoa soda (aka Schweppes Elixir) and a #37 (Jamaican dark rum, a pony of fresh orange juice and a tablespoon of Cynar, which the bartender mispronounces). It’s one of those bars that’s so full that you can’t hear the music till you’re in the toilets, but then you can make out a fairly pleasing 80s-90s mix. Grasshopper has paved the way for inner city small bars – check it out.
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Sydney 2000
Price per person including drinks $51 to $100
Open Mon-Fri 12 noon-12midnight
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Yawn. Weak drinks, poorly executed food - three stars is generous. Hey Grasshopper, why don't you spend less time on the internets big-upping yourselves and more time serving your customers?
Posted on Wed 08 Feb 2012 04:29:34
Dear Timeout Reviewer & Timeout Readers, I just finished one of the BEST meals I've had in years in this restaurant! It was a Tuesday night and the restaurant was full. The Bar was a little quiet than last time I visited but that was a Friday night or the Sydney Film Festival. We were greeted and served but a lovely English Lady who was working the floor with another english man. The service was great, attentive without over crowding, they both new the food and wines when questioned by my wife on the menu. Entree was amazing an Octopus dish that was amazing! My Main was a Veal T-Bone with Garlic and Snail Butter AMAZING! Desert we shared like the entree a Cheesecake AMAZING! I asked the floor staff if they'd ever been reviewed and they said no apart from Bar reviews. This is the best Restaurant in Sydney! Well maybe not the best as I personally think Sepia is but for the price it smokes ALL competition. A hidden gem in the Sydney Dining Scene! Timeout after reading your review and the comments below I think you should walk upstairs and try the real Grasshopper you will not be disappointed. Rhys
Posted on Tue 07 Feb 2012 13:37:55
Dear Timeout & Readers! What an amazing Restaurant could honestly be the best kept secret in Sydney. Food was simple but beautiful. This IS what Sydney needs more of. Not sure when you reviewed the venue but I had a 39 & 40 Cocktails and they were great and strong!
Posted on Thu 17 Nov 2011 22:21:13
Just got home from a lovely meal at this delightful little bistro. This is exactly what Sydney needs more of.
Posted on Tue 04 Oct 2011 23:21:52
food sux much rather the hotdogs at stitch what's with things like terrines, cured meats and expensive wanky cheese. give me sliders any day
Posted on Sat 10 Sep 2011 22:51:03
I think you've been merciful in not reviewing the restaurant - it's even more ordinary than the bar. Weak drinks, weaker concept. Get over yourselves, people.
Posted on Tue 06 Sep 2011 16:15:48
No mention of the food at all? Seriously who cares about the Bar! This is one of the BEST restaurants in Sydney! Not one taco, hot dog or burger on the menu. No cool kids a tattoos! We LOVE it! Review the restaurant and get away from dude food and surry hills. My company prefers this restaurant over felix or ash st cellars. Better food, price and service!
Posted on Wed 31 Aug 2011 23:45:50
I just landed on this review and I don't get why you are all kicking up a fuss. There is nothing wrong with this review at all! All that has been said is that the drinks need to be stronger. Otherwise they said it is somewhere they would love to drink. As awesome as the title Grasshopper is, Temperance Ln would be a rad name though!
Posted on Sat 06 Aug 2011 03:51:14
Grasshopper serves cocktails for customers, not drinks/food writers - that is all
Posted on Thu 04 Aug 2011 12:08:55
I agree with Hughes82. Grasshopper is a cool name and anything else would have been boring, not to mention predictable - I love this place!
Posted on Sun 31 Jul 2011 14:02:34
I cant believe you guys are suggesting the Grasshopper team should have named the place something else??? Who do you guys think you are??
Posted on Sun 24 Jul 2011 18:19:41
You haven't been into review the restaurant? It's one of the BEST in Sydney!!!!! We had dinner last week and it was amazing!
Posted on Tue 26 Apr 2011 01:52:34
Kenneth, Don't be confused - this 3-star review is exactly the same one as we published in our June 2010 'Banksy' issue. It has not been changed at all. Time Out
Posted on Thu 14 Apr 2011 11:43:26
You guys posted this bad review early last year... then after Grasshopper wins numerous accolades, you guys post another review praising Grasshopper?????? You guys are jokes!!
Posted on Thu 14 Apr 2011 00:34:54