Gin-infused Friday nights sail into Sydney’s lower north shore.

The Sailor Bar & Kitchen, docked on the lower north shore suburb of Northbridge, is the antidote Sydneysiders need for what has been an unruly year.

This kitsch watering hole is complete with a sensational bar overloaded with over 40 gins,  local beers on tap, walls clad with photo frames and wooden sailing paraphernalia, and the occasional sea netted ceiling. It’s a fun nod to its name and the road it calls home on Northbridge’s main strip, Sailors Bay Road.

Besides the impressive gin list and playful atmosphere, the food too is a major drawcard. A fabulous snack and mains menu with a very British influence will see your hunger diminished.

Think generous portions of old-school fish and chips served with house-made mushy peas ($24.50), some of the north shore’s best-ever salt & pepper calamari ($16), jam-packed soft shell tacos ($18), bright and smokey salads ($24.50) and spicy Thai peanut satay skewers ($16).

If you’re after a truly British-fix, be sure to indulge in a traditional Sunday Lunch, complete with alternating roasts (beef, pork, chicken) with all the trimmings, including the much loved Yorkshire pudding! From North England to Northbridge, it no longer matters that the international borders are closed…

At the helm are owners Kieran Fitsall and Rob Stevens, who are joined by their friendly crew to ensure your experience is filled with perfectly shaken cocktails, delicious food and warm smiles.

So, let’s talk about the cocktails – And, of course, the gin. With over 40 gins on offer (and an ever-expanding collection) you can expect some seriously good (and dangerous) combinations…it was called mother’s ruin after all.

The Gin Blush is The Sailor’s favourite, for which the team use Threefold Distilling’s Aromatic Gin with grapefruit and prosecco — the perfect summer evening tipple. However, if you ask the locals, there’s a clear favourite — the Pink Suburbia. Created during the lockdown as a takeaway cocktail, The Sailor uses Imbue Distillery’s Suburban Gin, their First Fleet bitter orange liqueur and Fitch & Leedes Pink tonic, garnished with raspberries and rose petals for extra pinkness. No wonder it’s a crowd-pleaser, especially with the Northbridge mums.

Aside from the impressive selection of gin, The Sailor Bar & Kitchen takes pride in showcasing local musicians, many of whom continue to struggle to find venues that are staging live music in these COVID-19 restricted times. Every Friday night from 7pm visitors will be able to discover a rotating lineup of talented musicians at their live music night. However, if you’re keen for a gin-and-music-infused Friday evening, we recommend making a booking, as the venue is consistently heaving — of course, with social distancing measures in place.

If you can’t secure a Friday booking, never fear as there is a variety of spectacular evenings on offer. The middle Tuesday of each and every month will see you test your trivia skills with a mix of exciting picture rounds, challenging questions, and the all-important raffle round – where a lucky participant is pulled up the front to answer one question to unlock the pot. And, if they don’t win, the crowd wins, as the jackpot doubles for the following month. Sign us up.

The Sailor Bar & Kitchen team, and owner Kieran Fitsall with Gender Bender Bingo host, Verushka Darling. Image supplied.

If you don’t feel like testing yourself after a long day at work, then be sure to try the fabulous hump day event. The first Wednesday of each month will see the dazzling Verushka Darling host Gender Bender Bingo —an evening filled with sass, delectable sips and of course, a splash of competitive fun.

Whether you’re after the perfect gin and tonic in Northbridge, a fruit-infused cocktail or premium craft beer alongside sensational eats (or some good old-fashioned chips with vinegar), you can’t go past The Sailor Bar & Kitchen. Perch upon the outdoor high and low tables, melt into the highly-sought-after comfy alfresco lounge, or swing back a tipple or two indoors amongst the mood-lit and nautical-themed walls.

The Sailor Bar & Kitchen
Tuesday – Wednesday: 4pm – 10pm | Thursday – Saturday: 4pm – late | Sunday 12pm – 4pm
128 Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge, NSW 2063
(02) 9958 1363
Website

Looking for more ideas on Sydney’s lower north shore? Check our local’s guide to Northbridge. Alternatively, if you’d like more plans that revolve around gin, find out how many of Australia’s top gin bars you’ve visited.

Feature image supplied.