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Bulletin Place is the work of three of the best bar tenders in Australia – so it's really no surprise that this place is smoking hot. Hidden away on the first floor of what was once a bookbinding and printing office in the 1950s, Bulletin Place is sandwiched between Tapavino (who will actually deliver a cheese and charcuterie platter to the venue, upon request) and Cabrito Coffee Traders.
The small rectangular room is moodily lit with open-bulb wire pendant lights dangling above the bar while banquette seating lines the side wall, paired with wooden tables and mismatched wooden chairs. A narrow timber table steals the centre of the space, prettily sitting on a Persian rug. The rest of the fitout boasts the standard industrial look –
weathered walls, exposed ceiling beams and rough-hewn floors but, don't worry, it's still a far cry from clichéd.
If you can, steal a seat at the bar because that's where the magic happens. A list of five cocktails on the expensive side of ‘Sydney average', come written on butcher's paper and change daily depending on the seasonal bounty. A Black Cherry Bramble of black cherries, Tanqueray, lemon and Pastis strikes a beautiful balance between tangy and sweet whilst a carefully considered Mango Rickey with freshly pureed mango, vodka, lime and soda is a refreshing option for a sticky summer night. There is also a concise wine list (two reds and two whites by the glass) with accessible sparkling and some liquid gold for the high rollers. A handful of crafty beers and some serious herbal bitters (ask to sample the Hungarian Unicum) are also on offer.
When you get the bill after just a few drinks, your pocket may feel slightly singed, but the purposely intimate space allows for individual attention. With no street signage, Bulletin Place may be hard to find but it's a discovery well worth making and we are happy to vouch, the personal service is worth your dime.
Sami-Jo Adelman