Retro furniture, cool cocktails, low lighting – it must be Melbourne! No, it’s Newtown, Sydney.

Take the train to Newtown Station and crawl up the street or ask the taxi driver to drop you on King Street.

At 416 you will find Bloodwood, which is the creation of some very upmarket Sydney chefs. Industrial interior, which some men seem to love. Rather expensive, but the menu is cheap, chic and genius (especially for the modern vegetarian) and the oysters are AUD$3 each. Plus, the cocktails are strong and delicious. Bloodwood is part of a trend for grazing/drinking which is taking over Australia, but we can’t complain. At http://www.bloodwoodnewtown.com

Corridor is at 153a King Street which is chic, cheap and cheerful. Excellent for a date, and great for a cocktail after Thursday night shopping has finished. This is the kind of place where you can gather a group of friends and split the bill without any arguments. You can sink into the armchairs too – but get there early for a table. At http://www.corridorbar.com.au/
secret:weekend breakfasts from 9am.
Special secret #2 – happy hour! Keep checking their website.