But Vasco has a strong bar heritage – Max comes most recently from Eau De Vie and Luke from Roosevelt and it shows in their professionalism not in the style of this bar. Vasco is quite a different bar – the cocktail list, cool bar food like Italian hot dogs – this is young, loud with great service, a handshake and smile – very Italian.
Just when you think every bar theme has already been done to death in Sydney – along comes Vasco to prove you wrong. This place is young at heart and very local – sit at tables with high stools, at the bar or on couches. Music is the theme here, in particular rock. Vasco Bar is an homage to Vasco, the Italian rock star from the 80’s – this could easily be his image painted on the wall as you enter. There are old vinyl record covers all around the bar – and not just rock – e.g. Richard Clayderman, Max Bygraves. There’s a whole wall of Ross Halfin photos of famous musicians on stage.
The drinks – inventive cocktails as well as the classics, also beers and wine. One of the favourites of the house has got to be the Campari shots – a very Vasco Bar drink. Always like to try a house cocktail – and this time it’s a“Hendrix Experience” – we were hoping for a reference to Jimmy??? – Hendriks gin, lillet blanc, frangolino. Perfect for pre-dinner – perhaps a little too lingering sweetness at the end.
A cool as touch – the cocktail list printed on the inside of old 45 record covers.
Vasco Bar is the perfect mix of hip cool and very friendly – this is the Sydney bar to check out. It’s open 7 days till midnight, love it!
Vasco Bar
421 Cleveland St Surry Hills Sydney 2010
Pingback: Monopole - cool Sydney bar and restaurant - Potts Point - Sydney
Great review guys, but the bar is in Redfern – not Surry Hills….
thanks HB – on the border? Did you like Vasco?
Pingback: Kuki Tanuki - cool Japanese Sydney bar - Erskineville - sake bar
Pingback: The Wild Rover - cool Sydney bars - Grandmas Bar - Surry Hills - sydneycool