Exchange Hotel
Editorial
Now heritage-listed, the Exchange exterior is a highlight of Victorian classical architecture - with its locally-made iron lacework balcony and slim wooden beams, the entire building takes pride of place on this sunny Balmain corner.
The interior has been renovated but the beautiful pressed-tin walls and ceilings were retained. The refit features modern wallpaper and huge artworks that belie its more humble beginnings as a regular meeting place for the painters and dockers union - back in the day when Balmain was a working class suburb. These days you're more likely to see a designer suit than a pair of overalls.
There are a number of sections across the three levels including the Bistro Balmain, the Balcony Bar and the Beattie Bar (they have a thing for B's methinks). The upstairs Bistro features a stylish layout with simple wood furniture, while the menu offers tapas, salads, light meals and mains - several of them served on the house specialty of 'hot rocks'. I was a little disturbed to see the main offer of '250g Gran fed eye fillet steak' - poor Gran! But typos aside (we all make them) the menu is rather tasty.
The ground floor Beattie Bar, named after the street outside, is a serious sports theme bar with enough memorabilia to hold a pub quiz. As well as a limited bar menu, there are also $10 bar snacks, and you can even try your luck at betting on a coin toss for a free meal on Wednesdays. The best spot to grab is the Balcony Bar, a very spacious outdoor seating area with large low-slung ottoman furnishings running the length of the balcony. This is a great place to slouch of a warm afternoon and if you can't get a possie the balcony outside, the inside area has a slick modern bar and plenty of big armchairs you can sink into.
Din Heagney, July 2010.
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