Gardel's Bar

Carlos Gardel, the handsome baritone and legendary king of the tango, is the figurehead of this incredibly busy and popular bar. At first, Gardel’s was seen as simply an extension of Porteno – the Argentinean grill house Sydney just can’t get enough of. But it’d become more than that. Under the watchful eye of bar manager Simon McGoram (you might recognise his swarthy mug from Bayswater Brasserie, back in the day) the bar has come into its own. The cocktail list is drawcard in and of itself. You might visit Gardel's for a Dirty Old Pal (a smoke-heavy version of the classic Old Pal, with Ardbeg whisky, sweet vermouth and Campari) but you’ll be staying for the Sex Panther. It’s the drink that’s illegal in nine countries and 60% of the time, it works all the time. It’s a nostril burning mix of Cognac, Branca Menta, stirred with coffee beans. Or, y’know, just have a beer and a chilli dog. The bar menu is a fistful of tasty treats like smoked and fried chicken wings with adobo sauce, sticky marinated lamb ribs and tiny little soft rolls filled with pulled pork. Don’t think of it as a runner up to the food downstairs at Porteno, think of it as the sort of food chefs Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz would serve at a party. And it's a party you can attend five nights a week. Weee!