Grasshopper – Sydney CBD
Created by the same folk that ran Seven Metre Bar (7M), Grasshopper is possibly Sydney’s hardest to find laneway bar. Located on Temperance Lane, which runs off George Street, it’s not visible from the main street and the Amazonian Croatian and I aren’t even sure we have the right place until we walk up the lane and see a large open doorway with people drinking inside.
The top level of Grasshopper is a restaurant with an open kitchen and an aroma that makes us regret having fish and chips before coming here. The menu is limited to some classics such as steak poivre and pork and parsley terrine and the dining atmosphere is seductive and low-lit, with intimate little tables. In other words, this would be perfect for taking a date.
However, the Amazonian and I instead head downstairs to the bar, which has a hip, funky vibe. One side is wallpapered with kitsch black-and-white still shots of people performing kung fu, there are 70s-era armchairs and lamps, old records are used as coasters and there’s an overall vibe that would be very much at home in Melbourne.
As with 7m, some of Grasshopper’s cocktails are served in jars, such as my no. 3 (all the drinks here have numbers rather than names, much like an Asian takeaway). Made with gin, vermouth, orange, Campari and raspberry syrup, the no. 3 has a fresh and strong orange flavour. Both the Amazonian and I prefer her no. 7, however, which is made with calvados, Fernet-Branca (an Italian amaro), orange and almond syrup. This is served in a small cocktail glass and has a complex flavour with the almond syrup giving it a slight nutty edge that works beautifully with the bitterness of the amaro and the sweetness of the orange.
Unfortunately the Amazonian and I are on a tight schedule and have to move on, but if we weren’t then we’d definitely stick around for another round. Overall, Grasshopper is a cosy and welcome addition to Sydney’s bar scene – and if we get a few more laneway bars like this then we’ll really be giving Melbourne a run for its money.
Now it’s your turn – how do you rate Grasshopper Bar?
(45 votes, average: 4.18 out of 5)
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Grasshopper, Temperance Lane (between 389 and 391 George Street), Sydney CBD. Open Monday to Friday. See the Grasshoppper website or phone 9947 9025 for more details
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Ah!! Friday night I was trying to find this place along with two of my friends. We walked around for ages as we read up online that it was at 4/40 York St and we ended up at Bavarian Bier Cafe, then Name that Bar, then Spectrum. It was really frustrating and the Grasshopper website is blank as you know. and I read your review after getting home. :)
Oh well – at least you’ll be able to find it next time!
Will have to check this one out. I am looking for a cool venue to have my 30th, do you know there if there is an area that we could have?
Aiii: It’s a relatively small venue – there’s no function area, although maybe they could reserve a corner for you. You could try calling them on 9947 9025 to see.
I suppose with their name being the grasshopper, they would have the cocktail as well? I’ve been trying to find a bar that makes the classic cocktails (ones mixed with creams :D mmmhmm calories)as well as open to some of the new ones.
OMG… This Place is absolutly awersome, and the Steak is realy the best fillet of steak i have had in a very long time, I finished my night off with #9 its addictive. A great night… Thanks xx
Here the chef has no hair!!! Great work on the bar bro x
found your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later
awesome food and great servive to go with it,and love the fact dnt have to walk to far to go for a drink afterwards.lol.
Both times that I went here the bar downstairs was packed. No standing room even. I couldn’t hear my date over the noise of the crowd. It is a really cute little bar, it is just a shame that so many people know about it. I suggest getting there early or avoiding peak hour altogether.