Vasco Bar, Surry Hills

Allora… Sydney, get ready to meet Vasco, the newest small bar to open in Surry Hills from Max Greco, former Eau-de-Vie head bartender.

Vasco, Surry Hills

Bringing a world of experience gained in award-winning bars including Zeta Bar, Ivy, The Beresford and Bayswater Brasserie, he is joined by head bartender Luke Ashton, formally of Duke and the Roosevelt and current finalist in the World Class Cocktail competition.

L-R: Luke Ashton, Elle Wormald, Max Greco, Piero Porzio

Vasco takes its name from Vasco Rossi, one of Greco’s favourite Italian rock and roll stars of the 80s, and the music-themed venue pays homage to that era.

Ross Halfin photographs

Dim lighting, dark walls, a painted mural bearing the name and candlelight give the bar a dark, grungy feel with a nostalgic retro touch. No attention to detail has been spared, from the Fender bar stools, to the jukebox, records and the guitar picks “business cards”. Gracing the walls is a series of of permanent exhibitions from renowned rock photographer, Ross Halfin who flew in from London with his son Oliver to attend the launch party.

Max Greco with Ross Halfin

The décor continues to the outdoor area and into the toilets with record covers on the walls. There is so much to admire in the fitout and Greco’s passion and energy reflect throughout the venue.

The bar

The drinks list has a cocktail focus with signature drinks and some Italian-style cocktails such as the Vasco Spritzer ($15), made with Cinzano extra dry infused with rockmelon, Aperol, Prosecco and Tosolini Fragolino. The music theme carries through with the Hendrix Experience made with Hendricks Gin, Lillet Blanc, Vasco’s chilli and clove syrup and Fragolino.

Top left, clockwise: Judas Kiss, Cicciolina, Coffee and Cigarettes, Eagle Rock

Different drink specials are on offer daily between 5-7pm with $6 beer and mixed drinks, and cocktails for $14.

L-R: Fabricio Campos, Claudio Greco

The kitchen is headed by executive chef, Fabricio Campos, who along with chef Claudio Greco, Max’s brother, create an authentic Italian menu. Try the Polenta ($12) served soft and crispy, drizzled with Mamma’s gorgonzola sauce or Lucia’s Hot Dogs ($14), Mamma’s classic recipe, made with spicy Calabrian salsiccia cooked with sugo, onion jam and seared cabbage served with shoestring fries.

Tuesday nights offer freshly made Lasagne, and Aperitivo Hour on Wednesdays serves a selection of Italian snacks, free with every drink between 5pm and 7pm.

Much like its namesake, Vasco is set to make a loud and lasting impression on the Sydney small bar scene. We know it’s only rock & roll but we like it.

More photographs of the venue in the gallery below:

 

Vasco opens to the public on 30 November 2012.

Update June 2014 – Vasco is featured in Gourmantic’s 5th Birthday Progressive Bar & Restaurant Tour.

For a photo gallery of the event, visit Gourmantic on Facebook and “Like” the page.

Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.

Vasco Bar
431 Cleveland St
Surry Hills NSW
Tue to Sat: 5pm till midnight (kitchen closes at 11pm)
Sunday: 5pm to 10pm
vascobar.com.au

Gourmantic attended the launch of Vasco Bar on Wednesday 28 November 2012.