Taking some time out
There weren’t any small bars in Sydney when I launched Bar Zine over four years ago. Back then people were still campaigning for the licensing laws to be changed and my friends didn’t understand why I would launch this site in Sydney rather than Melbourne.
To me, however, the answer was simple: I liked the challenge of finding great cocktails in a city that wasn’t renowned for them. I liked the idea of finding a hotel bar that made a great martini, or a restaurant bar where the bartenders would punch far above their weight (and I’m thinking especially of the now-defunct Rambutan here).
These days, however, the challenge of writing bar reviews has gone for me – and that’s a good thing. There are so many small bars that I think Sydney now rivals Melbourne, and the quality of cocktails has risen so much across the board that when I go to a bar and ask for a sazerac (a cocktail I used to struggle to find in bars) the bartender will usually know how to make one.
Charles Bukowski once wrote a poem called So you want to be a writer that I’ve always loved. It’s a poem that begs people not to write unless the words burst and roar out of them, unless “it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut”.
I desperately wish more journalists and bloggers would take that advice.
Well, now that there are countless other sites that review Sydney bars, I don’t see a need for me to continue writing reviews – and so I’m going to change Bar Zine considerably. I’m not entirely sure what it will become yet, but I do promise that it won’t become a cat blog, that the design will become more minimal, the focus will be more on spirits and cocktails than individual bar reviews, and that I’ll only ever write when the words roar out of me.
Hopefully you’ll stick around for the journey.
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I like the poem and I’m definitely feeling you. We’ll miss you around these traps. Good luck with the change – look forward to seeing the new Bar Zine :)
Keep up the good work! Have really enjoyed reading your blog. That, and sazeracs.
Bummer. I’ll miss your posts and some real person critique of the many bars popping up. I’ll also miss your pseudonyms for your mates. And the cat references.
All the best with it.
I’m a bit sad you’re not doing the reviews… I’m not cool enough to find out about all these places (!)… thanks for Barzine till now and look forward to the new version.
I can’t say that I’m not disappointed (your blog has allowed me to become the small bar hero among my friends). But selfishness aside, I’m sure the refreshed Bar Zine will be just as fantastic!
All the best Dan – your blog was one of the catalysts that got me all fired up about the small bar scene a couple of years ago!
Thanks for all your kind comments – I appreciate it!
You’ll be missed. A very good blog and keep us informed of the replacement
Back of the Ferry: thanks for that. I’ve always liked what you do on your site (http://backoftheferry.com) – it never fails to increase my appetite for beer …
I’ve looked at this site on my mobile on the bus into the city many-a-time about to meet a mate or a lady, so thx for all the help!
Oh my, I am seriously incapable of finding any cool bars without you. Now what?
I just wanted to say thanks. I arrived in Sydney two years ago with my partner. We’re from Ireland where the bars are great, and we initially struggled to find bars with any personality in Sydney. That is until we found your blog. Over the last two years you’ve helped us find or place in this new city. Loved your work. Thank you.