I’ve always thought it strange that Sydney’s grungily trendy and alcohol soaked Newtown has fewer than it’s fair share of cool little bars. There’s Madame Fling Flong’s, if you can find it, and Kuleto’s, if you make it in time for two-for-one cocktail hour. But just the other day I realised that there, smack back in the middle of the action, was a new small bar called Corridor.

Cool yet unpretentious, Corridor’s comfortable setting in a refurbished yet suitably rustic terrace house makes it very Newtown, and very inviting. Reasonably priced drinks and the tastiest plate of vegie nachos ever (with complimentary tequila shot) means this is a place I will go back to again and again. And it is blissfully free of the pokie machines and framed football jerseys that seem to haunt most of Newtown’s drinking establishments. More, please! [photo via SideStreetSydney]

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For some reason, over the last decade nearly every pub in Sydney has been systematically destroyed. I’m not sure who’s doing it, or why, but a someone is ripping out every ounce of character, replacing it with bright lights, flat screens, garish colours and emotionless interiors. Bar Cleveland on Cleveland St in Surry Hills seems to be one venue that has so far escaped. It could easily be just another big pub, but it’s not. Recent renovations have faithfully rendered an art-deco inspired interior to surround the impressive centrepiece, the large original bar. The interior is kept dim, the couches are comfortable, the beer is cold and the food is decent.