Jester Seeds

It's all about the sangria at Jester Seeds, the latest recruit to the small bar army slowly conquering King Street. You'll find it nestled between to the cheapo restaurants at the north end of Newtown, doling out some classy drinks in faux grungy surrounds - it's the sort of place that looks a bit rock, but you won't stick to the floor. From the street it looks like there is only space for about 10 people at a squash, but if you head past the bar and out the back there is a second room with comfy couches and little tables. Keep on trucking and eventually you’ll reach the newly opened back courtyard – smoker friendly and a prime spot on a balmy evening. There’s even talk of the second level being opened before too long, so stay tuned. There are only a couple of beers and one cider on the menu, but in the ultimate homage to the hipster doofus they stock Dos Blockos, which comes in individually stamped brown paper bags. 

As we said, the real standout here is the sangria: great hulking jugs of chilled sweetened wine and enormous fruit pieces that you can fish out as an alcohol soaked snack at the end – definitely a group exercise. The Cascadeur – Campari, lemon, orange, almond syrup and sparkling wine – gets our nod from the cocktail list and we may just come back for the lavender Martini. The snacks list is an eclectic mix of Korean, Mexican and Southern American – kalbi tacos, ceviche, corn on the cob and seafood pancakes all make an appearance – or you can play it safe with broken potatoes and aioli. Newtown has never lacked for licensed establishments but an ever-growing contingent of small bars means that you can now get a quiet drink, undisturbed by televised sport or Saturday-night cover bands.