Double bay is back in the game, dear readers, and the latest bar to join drinking spots Mrs Sippy and Bibo Wine Bar is a laneway cocktail destination.
Brick Lane feels like a hip courtyard bar in Palermo – the largest and coolest neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. But if only it was running on Argentinean time! The kitchen sadly closes at 9pm on a Thursday.
The design is modern, elegant and tropical, with rough concrete, rattan chairs and split leaf palms. Neon tube lighting is clustered around a DJ booth in one corner, and prints of Wilfredo Lam and Miró sit along an exposed beam. The fit-out is care of Alex Zabotto-Bentley and his AZBcreative team (Kittyhawk, Butter) and it feels fresh and airy.
Take a seat out in the black and white tiled courtyard and prepare for an equally contemporary cocktail list. There’s a new take on a rum punch and an Espresso Martini laced with coconut, but we go straight for the frozen stuff.
We’ve tried Frosé and Friesling, but this is Time Out’s first sighting of Frozsecco – yep, frozen Prosecco. Sure, it’s gimmicky, but we fall into the mini mountain slushie hook, line and sinker. It’s not too sweet or fizzy, and is served with a bright purple hibiscus tucked into one of its peaks.
We expected subcontinental eats befitting a food tour of London’s Brick Lane, but instead found a list of modern Australian bar staples: burgers, burrata, and a fig and walnut salad join tacos, oysters and steak.
The prawn roll is a nice balance of sweet, pickled and creamy flavours – served on a doughy white roll, with matchstick fries in a mini fry basket on the side. Next time we'll skip the jerk chicken salad, which managed to be underseasoned and overdressed at the same time.
It’s all about the drinks and the design at Brick Lane. There’s Young Henry’s Newtowner and cloudy cider available by the pint, and a tidy list of local and international wines served by the glass – including a light, sweet and oh-so-drinkable Patina ‘Scandilous’ Riesling.
Pick your poison and settle in for a night in Palermo.