Welcome to Bat Country, a vibrant and exciting new café, bar and restaurant that has just opened in Randwick.
Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
You’ll find the neighbourhood-style bar in the area known as The Spot, conveniently located directly opposite the Ritz cinema. The venue by owners Collin Perillo (ex Milk and Honey London, Zeta Bar, The Anchor in Bondi), Tim Dengate (chef) and Aidan Morrison (barista and bartender) pays homage to American writer, Hunter S Thompson particularly his literary works, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Rum Diary and Hell’s Angels.
The sign of the venue is what you would find in an American town, depicting it as a destination, not just a bar. Exposed bricks, wood panelling, Hells Angels chains, antler lights and biker lights give the venue a lived-in look with touches of nostalgia such as an old red dial telephone and wooden-glass coasters from the 1960s.
Cocktails are a delight and of those tasted on the night, they’re all well balanced with subtle flavours without one spirit dominating. The Good Word ($16) with Mezcal, Chartreuse, Maraschino and lemon is a perfect example of such balance, a hint of smoke with the vegetal nature of the Chartreuse. The Matilda May Cocktail ($16), a tequila sour with a twist, using grenadine and sweet vermouth. The Best Drink in the World ($18), made with uses Flor de Cana Extra Dry Rum with lime and sugar is refreshing and can be sipped on all night.
Food is in the form of tasty share plates which impress with their flavour and price point. BC’s SnP Squid ($16.50) is crumbed and very tender to the bite with a Wasabi Mayo and goes well with the crispy Rumple Spudkins with Garlic Cream ($8). The Bloody Chunk’a Rump ($15) is great value for money. The pasture-fed beef is chargrilled to medium rare, served pink in the middle with a porcini glaze.
Well-crafted cocktails, delicious food at a good price point and a relaxed vibe that makes you feel immediately like a regular are just some of the highlights that make Bat Country a much welcome addition to the Randwick-Coogee-Clovelly-Bronte area.
Bat Country
32 St Paul’s St
Randwick NSW 2031
Hours: 6am to midnight, seven days a week
www.facebook.com/thisisbatcountry1
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