Pasan Wijesena

Sydney’s Inner West has long been an area that celebrates arts, music, culture and food and drink, and even as the area develops, that sense of community remains strong. For the past 13 years, I’ve run four local cocktail bars in Newtown (Earl's Juke Joint, Jacoby's Tiki Bar, The Trocadero Room and The Magpie), and I’ve lived in the area for more than 20 years. Being part of our community is a source of pride for both myself and the teams. Customers become regulars; regulars become friends. I was even lucky enough to meet my partner at one of the bars. Authentic, independent venues are the heartbeat of this area and are what make it special These are the types of venues that lead the way in terms of creativity, culture and culinary innovation. They are the epitome of the “third place” – spaces separate from home and work where people can connect, socialise and form community. A social gathering point where hospitality is the most important thing; where ideas take shape during conversations. In an increasingly digital world, and as urban areas become more developed and dense, having these places where we connect with others is essential. These are also the venues that emerging performers get their first chance to play in front of audiences. Where people can see and hear something they can’t just stream on a service at home; that electricity of a shared experience, seeing the next big thing playing at an intimate venue, or even just singing along to Wonderwall as a local muso b