The Midnight Special – Bar review.

By Sas Lyon

When a bar keeps popping up in your news feed via the actions of people way more hip than you it’s time to take notice.  Even better when it shows a resurgence of love for a place as brilliant as The Midnight Special on Newtown’s bustling Enmore Road.

The Midnight Special has been dirty/gorgeous (think Debbie Harry in her prime) since it opened in 2012. You can be forgiven for not having been there yet as it’s always great to wait for the initial rush to stop (when the bar is sooooooo hip that you can’t get a drink) and skulk in with your ogling eyes firmly strapped on for the second phase. This is when cool people are still there but the extras on the set are also really acceptable.

According to the place themselves ‘ The Midnight Special is Newtown’s neighbourhood blues and Rock n Roll bar. Take a seat at the bar and chat to the friendly bar staff or kick back in one of the booths with friends while listening to anything from Abner Jay to Sonic Youth. Locally brewed tap beer, wine, cocktails and tinnies are on offer. On any given night you’ll hear records being spun by guest DJ’s or live music.’

We know (because of the super plugged in person who inspired us to post this) that they are solid supporters of the arts because tonight they are hosting Steve Smyth’s Visual EP Launch. If you’ve not heard his stuff, grrrrrrrl you crazy! Better jump on it now.

It’s hard to stay above the trends in Sydney and to ‘be your own man’ so to speak. This midnight cowboy has certainly achieved longevity of mission in spades and has a solid grounding in the hearts of music (and pizza) lovers Newtown and beyond.

Check out The Midnight Special. It’s one of the last, great, authentic rock/blues bars we know of.