Touchdown is the downstairs bar in the Rydges Hotel at Sydney Airport. I'm not sure what is more…read moreconfusing: the fact that it is named after an American football term; or the fact that they couldn't make a basic cocktail correctly. (More on that later). The vibe here was laid back sports bar with a focus on beers, wine and simple drinks. Sadly, the beer list was short and standard (Australian macrobrews like VB, Carlton, etc.) The short food list was actually better than I expected, with a selection of apps (wings, meatballs), entrees (burgers, steak, salmon) and desserts. It was certainly enough to suit me, so I ate here for dinner and watched some local sports (continuing my increasing fascination with cricket). My burger and fries were pretty good, and just what I wanted. But after a few mediocre beers I decided to test the bar by ordering something basic. Specifically, I asked for an Old Fashioned (It's a never-ending quest). The young bartender got busy, muddling some fruit, adding sugar and bitters, before finally adding the liquor (which I couldn't see). The result tasted familiar, but strange...REALLY strange. I sipped slowly, but it never got any better. After about 15 minutes, the bartender proudly showed me the single malt scotch he made it with... [Insert Forehead Slap here]. No wonder it tasted strange - This drink is made with Rye or Bourbon only; and what a waste of a single malt! Dear management- you might want to think about training your bartenders to do something more than pour wine and beer.

Always wanted to go here every time I pass by..and when I did, I couldn't wait to go back.read more

This is the most amazing new nightspot in sydney, Great…read morelive jazz bands and the best DJ's that play old records of some real classics Craig the owner and barman is out of this world this place is going to do really well. Hidden just off the main street of Marrickville up a few flights of stairs you walk in to a awesome bar with the roof painted with a huge Kama sutra mural and tin roof tiles and leather lounges. Licensed to 3am with great wines and boutique beers on tap.

The flathead fish was perfectly cooked and accompanied salad was tasty. The manager opened early…read morefor me and allowed me to come in for a drink before they started serving food. Great place to catch a game, drink, or meal!

Best local bar, conveniently located near train. Martin and George are the best bartenders ever…read more We stopped for a short one and spent the whole evening there!!! Cold beer, great company. Highly recommend for a quick drink and some good company. Jozie and Barb Montana USA

- up four flights of a dusty stairwell of a random office building…read more no elevator the trek is worth it - this speakeasy was a amazing - you would never know what await behind those doors - great steak sandwiches - get there early, its not as spacious - drinks are tasty - I love the dark environment - friendly service - hip hop soundtrack

This is one of my favorite bars in Sydney - Great staff that is always welcoming and makes quality…read moredrinks - good vibe and good music

Now, this is one of those pubs that I could spend quite a lot of time at if I happened to live in…read morethe area that is. I guess the porch really did it for me - one of those newer pubs that deliberately created a porch where patrons could sit at with a beer in hand and either chat, or read a book if they are like me. The other thing is that they also had a decent selection of beers on tap, and that is always going to win me over.

Wow, how did I not know about this before? Oh right, because it's in Arncliffe! Came here with my…read morehockey team after a game because it's close to the turf. I was blown away by the size of the venue - massive, cozy, different styles of seating including round booths perfect for larger groups, fireplace, 2 kitchens (one for wood-fired food such as burgers and pizza and roast chicken and one normal kitchen). Could fit couple hundred of people?! Also impressive was the food. Crispy buffalo wings made with Frank's hot sauce (super legit!), massive chicken parmis smothered in melted cheese, great burgers. I got the 1/2 Portuguese chicken with peri peri sauce... DELICIOUS! Plus, the prices were definitely lower than Sydney prices but I guess it's more in the suburbs. For dessert I ordered the sticky date pudding. It wasn't the best, but the vanilla ice cream made up for that :) We'll be back! Looking forward to eating my way through the menu.

This place is fantastic…read more It's a teeny tiny wine bar with a spectacular retro feel. It's all sumptuous vintage, plush antique chairs upstairs, a book case and vinyl records you can play. And of course great wine, and also friendly staff and patrons. Perfection.

We truly had a great experience here. The owner alex was very accommodating and welcoming. You…read morecould tell he truly enjoying making sure everybody was happy. We walked in as two guys from Californian and a Canadian and left feeling like we had been going there for years and was a local. Thanks guys!! Much love from San Francisco!! Oh and try the Ruben it will change your life lol Max Www.maxehrman.com @maxehrman

Ooooooo the mushroom and Swiss omelet really hit the spot. Fast and friendly at the bar. Also got…read morea nice Brut champagne waiting for my flight. Lots of places to charge your devices. Comfortable lounge seating. The omelet was really good. Two pieces of toast and a generous amount of Swiss cheese and mushrooms. Great place to chill while waiting on your flight.

This hotel is a hidden gem, I didn't expect the hotel to be so nice inside. The staff were very…read morehelpful the hotel was affordable and comfy.

Whoever thought an old pub could make for party space? My cousin had her 21st in the upstairs…read morefunction room, and I was very, very surprised at how good the place looked. From the outside it looks like just your local run-of-the-mill pub. Upstairs was a very different story. Forget drinks in the city where you end up meeting and greeting your entire facebook list, bring a couple hundred of your closest friends and family to this place. The place is so big it can easily hold that many. There's a separate room at the back to keep all your family's embarrassing antics hidden away, a lounging area with a main bar (with access to the pokies room), and a huge dance floor area with room for all your hired DJ equipment. It's all newly renovated and in perfect condition for you and your friends to make as much noise as you want into the early hours of the morning.

I was about to give up on Marrickville, and as I was wandering down the road towards the railway…read morestation I spied this little hole in the wall bar. A part of me thought that hole-in-the-wall bars was a Melbourne speciality, but it turns out that Sydney has its fair share of them as well. Anyway, I decided to pop in for a beer, and not surprisingly, I loved this place. Not only do they have craft beers on tap (and some good ones at that), but also regular events. I came here on Open Mike Night, though nobody was brave enough to take advantage of the open mike. Oh, and the atmosphere was great as well.

What an exciting venue. It's only open at key times but is small, cosy and busy. It has limited…read morespace & seats when things get really busy. Live music is a winner but it's worth checking prior to just showing up ..... otherwise it's a perfect place for that intimate lounge session. Craft beers are a highlight.... and ..... lots of wines .... spirits...... small snacks ....... enough to keep you happy and switched on. Oh !! ...... the mood lighting will definitely put you in the mood for something saucy.

I've seen many a great band advertised here but as is my wont, the thing that finally got me here…read morewas the lure of a spankin new comedy night. And it doesn't hurt that this deep wild-wild-inner-western venue is on the freakin bondi junction train line! #ftw Hump Night (Wednesdays, in a camel themed bar, capiche?) Comedy's opening night was brilliant, with a stellar lineup & full house. The decor description is best quoted to the night's MC- David Smeidt- who described it ss if a gay pirate was having a garage sale. Camels, camel themes, and some classic posters- the gay pirates responsible for decorating Camelot have definitely never heard the expression, "less is more"... I ordered a garlic pizza cos it was like $8. It was alright & for $8 I ain't gonna complain the crust was a bit hard tho. Some pretty amazing looking mezze plates were doing the rounds and making me regret my decision. Now that I know how easy it is to get to and groovy a venue it is I'm looking forward to joining the camel cult.

Random nights are the best nights, aren't they?…read more My friend Isobel sent me a message last week, with a Facebook link saying, wanna check this out next week in good old Marrickville? I was like, yeeerrrppppp, let's go. Why not, right? So tonight, I look at the Facebook page to figure out where it is and its like all trendy and ambiguous "in the back streets of Marrickville".... well, where the FUCK is that, eh??? Bloody thing. Well, I figured it out and I can't tell you how AWESOME it was! Dimly lit, trendy, hipster kitch. Think Shady Pines, but not so much Americana. Yes, cowboys. But also gypsies, persian carpets, camels and eastern flair. The owner, came over and introduced himself to us and was like, how did you hear about us? Well, we have the very uncool story that Isobel's mum told her about it. Yeah, I'm serious. LOL. We think it's funny as hell too, especially since the place was so great, so unknown. Her mum saw some live music here a few weeks ago. I should probably make up a cooler story about how I know about the place that makes me sound really awesome with my finger right on the pulse of avant guarde Sydney or something, so when I bring people here I can be like... yeah... I'm cool... man?!! We had wines which were delicious. I had an SA Pinot Noir. Hey, look! I'm trying to learn my wines! Be impressed. I'm a wine doofus. Downstairs is "Django Bar" which is I guess, not a music venue. Camelot is technically on the top floor, and is a music venue with some food... the garlic pizza is amazing. Perfectly garlicky and cheesy melty goodness. Sean Taylor was playing, he was described as a Chris Isaak acoustic guitar type.... well, wow, I could have easily stayed out til past midnight if it wasn't a school night. He was amazing. Everything was 5 star. I'm really glad to be able to write this review for such a great NEW establishment, but it's even better that it's in my home suburb of dear old MARRICKVILLE!!! Marrickville is seriously Sydney's Brooklyn. Seriously. Its coming up in the world. Watch out.