The Eastern – Bondi Junction
If shopping in the giant Westfields that literally wraps itself around this bar (you can see inside the centre from the bar’s back windows) proves draining, you could do worse than fortify yourself by having a drink in The Eastern.
This retrofitting of an old Bondi Junction local is impressive from the moment you step in thanks to a grand circular marble bar counter (complete with bar stools), rounded green-tiled columns, funky soul and jazz on the sound system (at least when we were there), art deco chandeliers and green vinyl sofas. Actually, we’re not convinced about the green vinyl (at least, it looks like vinyl) but hey: it’s a good job overall.
It’s also a slightly odd retrofit, for even though the ground level looks and feels like a stylish bar rather than a pub, you can only order beer, wine and spirits there with cocktails only available on the upper levels – which is a pity, as we felt more comfortable on the ground floor than anywhere else.
This is partly because the first floor is largely dedicated to the restaurant. Even though there’s an equally large marble bar counter up here, the tables are only for diners and we were the only patrons perched at the bar (even though downstairs was busy).
To drown out our loneliness we order an amaretto sour ($15), which is made with Grand Marnier, fresh orange and amaretto (an Italian almond liqueur) and served in a tumbler with ice. Usually an amaretto sour is made with fresh lemon juice rather than oranges, which might explain why this version isn’t the best we’ve ever had (that belongs, we have to say, to the Croft Institute in Melbourne) – but it is good.
The next time we’re here we’ll try the apple strudel martini ($16) instead, which contains vodka, vermouth, whiskey spice and apple or the hazelnut mojito ($15) along with some food, which includes the duck confit ($24) and crispy-skinned ocean trout ($23.50). Incidentally, the bar menu downstairs also includes snacks such as risotto balls ($9.50), pizzas from $17 and beef sausages and mash ($13.50) (the last two are also available upstairs).
There are even more levels upstairs, namely a red-lit dance club on the third floor (the Ruby Lounge) and a rooftop area, but these were closed off for a private function on our last visit. However, we’ll update this review after we go again. Furthermore, if you want more information on what’s happening upstairs then go to http://www.myspace.com/easternpopshop
The Eastern, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, phone 02 9387 7828 or see The Eastern bar website
Now it’s your turn – how do you rate The Eastern?
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