Bank Hotel – Newtown
Ten years ago people often complained about Newtown’s gentrification and yet now you never hear of it – perhaps because the process is complete. The old dusty King Street shops filled with second-hand guitars and amplifiers have been replaced by boutiques, the ferals now bus in rather than live in local squats, and The Bank, once the hub of Newtown’s nightlife in all its grunge and bohemian squalor, has been remodeled. Or, to be exact, it was remodeled over two years ago now – but we’re still trying to come to terms with it.
The reason is that it’s changed so dramatically. The rowdy front bar has been replaced by a clean, almost sterile pub atmosphere (the most distinctive part being the odd Egyptian-style tapestry on the wall) and the pool tables have been removed. The dark and cosy cocktail bar in the back has been replaced by a new bar that … actually, we like the new back bar, to the point where we wish there was more seating there.
The biggest change, however, is the addition of a third bar upstairs which has a back-lit marble bar counter and blue tiling, which is an interesting combination – a bit like an upmarket bathroom (although it does, somehow, work well).
The pub’s music has also changed: whereas in the past you’d hear indie rock, now there’s often DJ-driven dance music both in the front bar and upstairs, which also has a small dance floor. If you want conversation on a Friday or Saturday night your best bet is the back bar.
It’s in the back that I try an Asian tiger caipiroska, which is a steal at $9 (although that’s possibly a temporary special, as it’s listed at $10 on the printed menu). Made with Wyborowa vodka, passionfruit, lychees and lime, this is so fruity in taste that it brings back memories of drinking tropical fruit juice poppers in primary school – but in a good way.
I’m more enamored by the exceptionally friendly barmaid, however, and while I’m tempted to ask for her number I chicken out and order a roasted golden margarita ($12) instead. This is made from tequila, orange liquor, lemon and lime juice, roasted orange and vanilla-infused sugar, and you can have it either blended or straight up. I order it straight and find that while it’s good (and my wingman enjoys it) I find the orange flavours are too strong – I prefer my margaritas to taste more like lemon and lime.
The crowd here is a little more clean cut than it used to be but is still mixed, with tattooed guys and girls drinking beside uni students, preppies and yuppies. When we pop into the front bar for a post cocktail beer we sit (not on purpose) behind two lesbians who then start grinding against each other in a way that makes dirty dancing look positively clean. It’s good to see that, gentrification aside, not everything changes in Newtown.
Finally, we come to food, where you can choose between the bar menu or go downstairs to Sumalee Thai. The bar menu is fairly broad: you can get salt and pepper squid for $15, a toasted ham and cheese sandwich for $4.50 and half a dozen oysters for $15. Sumalee Thai, on the other hand, is a full blown restaurant that has a great, almost tropical atmosphere to it. The prices are higher than your average Thai restaurant, however: for example a king prawn stir fry with vegetables costs $32 and a vegetarian green curry with tofu and mixed vegetables costs $24. The last time we ate here (and to be honest we can’t remember what we ordered – we’ll have to go again) we did enjoy both the food and the atmosphere, however.
Now it’s your turn – how do you rate The Bank?
(4 votes, average: 2.25 out of 5)
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Bank Hotel, 324 King Street, Newtown. Phone 8568 1900 or see the The Bank website
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