9

BAR OF THE YEAR

JACOBY’S, SYDNEY, NSW
We may yet see more operators in Australia jumping on the
dark-tiki bandwagon, naming their bars for the Hawaiian-shirted
psychiatrist fromTwin Peaks, and tiling parts of their floor in a zigzag
homage to the show’s Black Lodge. But for now, this radical Sydney
watering hole from Pasan Wijesena of Earl’s Juke Joint has the
niche all to itself. If that all sounds a bit spooky and intense: relax.
The bar might be dimly lit, but quite a few of the drinks arrive on fire
and the mood is perfectly upbeat. Never mind if you don’t know your
David Lynch from your Don the Beachcomber: there’s no mistaking
the good times onofer at Jacoby’s.
In short: A loopy concept brought to life with impressive care.

GALAH, MELBOURNE, VIC

Melbourne’s bars can take themselves very

seriously. Not so at Galah (with a name like

that how could it?), where great music – both

from DJs and live bands – enthusiastic table

service and a semi club-like atmosphere

mean that fun times are the go. But Galah

isn’t joking around with the booze: a

thoughtful Australian emphasis on spirits,

local beer and wine rule the roost. The

downstairs entrance is a bottle shop where

you can choose a bottle of wine that’ll be

served to you in the loft-like warehouse

space at the top of the stairs. Or opt for

good cocktails with ridiculous names (The

Commodore; Handsome Galah). Good

times, good attitude, good booze.

In short:Aussie-accented good times

in a southside loft.

LIBERTÉ, ALBANY, WA

Located in a Western Australian regional

centre five hours south of Perth by car, this

pluckybar-slash-diner is inspired rather

thandefined by its isolation. Ingredients

from the Great Southern (pristine seafood,

grown-to-specveg) and booze (mostly

supplied by renegade winemakers, brewers

and distillers) star in the handiwork of

chef-owner Amy Hamilton and bar manager

Keryn Giles, yet the vibe is party rather

than preachy. Anaction-packed calendar

of regular events speaks to a strong sense of

community; this is a local any neighbourhood

would gladly claim as its own.

In short:Liberté feeding (and watering)

the people.

Clockwise from

above: Jacoby’s,

Sydney; the Bushfire

cocktail at Galah;

and the bar;

Oliver Edwards; Ali

Currey-Voumard;

Louis Couttoupes;

Liberté, Albany.

2019

AUSTRALIAN

RESTAURANT

GUIDE

PHOTOGRAPHY DUNCOGRAPHC

(GALAH), ANDREW FINLAYSON (JACOBY’S), WILL MEPPEM (ALI CURREY-VOUMARD),

TIM SPREADBURY (OLIVER EDWARDS), LEAN TIMMS (LOUIS COUTTOUPES) & JESSICA WYLD (LIBERTÉ)