Customs House Bar

First published on 6 Jun 2008. Updated on 29 Oct 2010.

Come Friday night, it's not unusual to see suited city types spilling from Customs House Bar onto the pleasant, tree-lined Macquarie Place. Large groups crowd around tables or over-sized wine barrels with the simple aim of unwinding after a long, hard week. It's a bonus when the weather is warm and daylight saving is in full flight, giving the atmosphere a decidedly festive mood.

Inside, it's a different story. Safety and ease of navigation for the ensuing evening throng mean seating, furniture and décor are kept to the bare essentials. Music clips projected onto the black-painted walls and the lighting, which is delivered through long, stainless steel tubes, combine to give the bar a stark, minimalist look.

Efficient staff facilitate the quick delivery of drinks and food – pizzas, burgers, salads, pasta – but you do get the impression that the people behind Customs House Bar are all about getting you in and getting you served. No frills. Which, after a gruelling working week, might be a good thing.