The Macquarie Hotel
Editorial
The only truly gentrified thing about this place is its name. The accommodation arm of this old place has renamed itself as 'boutique'. This affectation doesn't extend to the old-timey public bar. And thank goodness for that.
We can't be sure, but we'd lay good money down in any case to bet that this place has never played Moby on its sound-system, mixed a Chai martini or refused its patrons entry for wearing Prada knockoffs. Here, you'll find shreds of the old, wind beaten Sydney and very little of the new, spray-tanned town.
Poker, pool and occasional comedy nights can be had at this trad pad.
On the face of it, there's nothing particularly extraordinary about a pub that serves drinks and overlooks extreme renovation. But the Macquarie, which is as much in the old Surry Hills as it is in the new city, is of an endangered breed. Here, you'll find that which has almost become a live-museum: an actual working man's pub.
If you fancy a beer, you can drink one. And that's about as complex as the drinking algorithm gets at the Macquarie. There's no need to calculate the dress code, the vibe or the drink prices. All are reasonable and democratic.
SM King, July 2010.
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