Tell us about your bar:

The inspiration to open a bar in Newtown came to Nash, Sylvie and Cristian when they bar-hopped through America in 2008. In 2012 they opened Newtown’s neighbourhood bar named after the American Delta Blues legend Leadbelly’s version of the song ‘Midnight Special’. Locally brewed tap beer, wine, cocktails and tinnies are on offer. Berbisey, the eatery, is run by chef Tristan Suchaut and is offering delicious homemade European-inspired fare. 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 and on any given night some of the best live music this country has to offer.

What’s on the menu?

Drinks-wise, we get a lot of great feedback about our Old Fashioned and whiskey sour cocktails. For food you can’t go wrong with one of Berbisey’s share plates. The Berbisey Continental Plate is quite popular and comes with leg ham, 12-month-aged jamón, Morbier and Comté cheese, with your choice of either house-made duck mousse or pork belly rillettes with chilli pickled cucumber, hot pickled radish and beetroot leaves, served with grissini and toasted sourdough. Vegetarian and vegan plates are also available.

Care for a drink?

If you like margaritas, try our Smoke On The Water Margarita: house-made smoked jalapeño tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime and agave jalapeños smoked courtesy of Bovine & Swine Barbecue Co.

Midnight Special1

Sounds:

We like music mainly from past eras and a bit of new stuff. On any given night you will hear a mix of punk, garage, power-pop, soul, blues and rock’n’roll. We sometimes mix it up with some ’70s funk but we don’t get too carried away!

Highlights:

If you like great food, booze, music and good times then this is the bar for you. Leave your pretence at the door.

The bill comes to:

We recommend you come in on a Wednesday for Cheese and Wine Wednesday. You can get a delicious cheese plate and two glasses of wine for $25. Beers are between $5 and $11 and cocktails between $10 and $20.

Midnight Special2

Address: 44 Enmore Rd, Newtown

Phone number: (02) 9516 2345

Website: themidnightspecial.com.au

Opening hours: Tue – Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat 3pm-midnight, Sun 1-10pm

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine