Baptist Street Rec Club opens in Sydney
Located above Island Radio restaurant, Baptist Street Rec Club is a new neighbourhood bar in the suburb of Redfern in Sydney.
The bar is the second site for House Made Hospitality, which opened the ‘tropical-futurist’, southeast Asian-inspired Island Radio in 2024.
Baptist Street Rec Club launched on 5 February with the aim of capturing the ‘carefree, offbeat spirit of 1980s and 90s Australia’.
In terms of decor, the walls are plastered with nostalgic ‘Australiana’, such as gig flyers, cult movie posters and iconic ads. Orange carpeting, wood panelling and exposed brick are a nod to pubs from the 80s.
Dan Cramsie – formerly of Sydney institutions including Clam Bar, Pepito’s and Double Deuce Lounge – has joined House Made Hospitality’s beverage director Jason Williams to create the bar’s menu, which offers classic with a twist.
The Japanese slipper is made with native finger lime and yuzucello, while the White Russian features burnt butter vodka and maple cream. More ‘imaginative’ serves include the Breakfast Martini, which features a spiced pineapple marmalade and a toast garnish.
The bar will also offer monthly rotating specials that embrace seasonality. In its opening weeks, the selection includes a Beetroot Negroni and an Earl Grey fizz.
Williams said: “We’ve created a venue that’s for the people, not the bartenders. These drinks are fresh, well-made, and approachable – designed to bring levity and fun, not pretension.”
Cramsie added: “We don’t want to overcomplicate the bar experience. It’s about balancing comfort and familiarity with a touch of creativity, so there’s something for everyone. The nostalgia of the space is part of that – it’s somewhere you can let your guard down, whether you’re popping in for a quiet drink earlier in the week or cutting loose on the weekend.
“In a time when we’re all feeling the squeeze, we want this bar to be an escape from the rat race. You’re at Baptist Street Rec Club for a good time, and the great drinks are an added bonus.”
The food consists of a snack menu called Bangkok Dreaming, which is inspired by the Thai offerings that became staples in Australian pubs during the 80s. Bites include crab betel leaves, spring rolls, and ‘money bags’.
New York recently welcomed a ‘new iteration of the classic neighbourhood bar’ in Bar Snack.
For more new openings, check out our round-up of autumn’s hottest launches.
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