1. Bart Jr (Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr)
    Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr
  2. Bart Jr (Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr)
    Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr
  3. Bart Jr (Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr)
    Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr
  4. Bart Jr (Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney)
    Photograph: Avril Treasure for Time Out Sydney
  5. Bart Jr (Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr)
    Photograph: Supplied/Bart Jr
  6. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  7. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  8. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  9. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  10. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  11. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  12. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  13. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  14. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  15. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  16. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  17. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  18. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  19. Photograph: Katje Ford
    Photograph: Katje Ford
  • Bars | Cocktail bars
  • price 2 of 4
  • Redfern
  • Recommended

Review

Bart Jr

4 out of 5 stars
This neighbourhood bar raised simple bar snacks to a whole new level
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Time Out says

✍️ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here.

Update: Redfern’s neighbourhood bar and restaurant Bart Jr is a gem. Locals know it too – during the evening and on the weekend, this cheery corner spot pumps. There’s a ripper set menu, midweek pasta with natty vino specials (check their Insta), and if they took the anchovies on toast off the menu, we’re pretty sure there would be a riot.

– Avril Treasure

Read on for our review of Bart Jr from 2018 by Emily Lloyd-Tait.

*****

Redfern residents were already pretty happy with George Woodyard thanks to the ace snackage available from the simple and delicious canteen, Scouts Honour. Now that the day trade was conquered, Woodyard, Anne Cooper, AmandaBaxter and Matt Turk decided it was time to rule the night by opening a bar. The new Regent of afterhours eats is Bart Jr. 

In a feat of design wizardry, they’ve managed to make one of those glass-front, new development retail spaces feel warm, welcoming and lived in. It must be all that caramel coloured timber, golden light and flowers arranged about the room. Because this isn’t their first hospo rodeo they know how to manage a crowd – even if you show up at 7pm (foolhardy) they’re adept at predicting table turnover and manage the waitlist with a keen eye.

And it is worth it, because what they’ve successfully done is upload the spirit of a café into a bar. It might have been the promise of a glass of the Somos barbera rosé that got you here – the sweet/tart tug-o-war reminds us of biting into tart plum skins – but it’s the food menu that will keep you in your seat.

The kingfish ceviche is exotically dressed in a ginger coconut cream that inspires thoughts of jungle holidays, and they double down on the refreshment with shards of snowpeas, green onion and yellow capsicum. Chuck some toasted coconut and black sesame in there and you’ll realise other raw fish dishes have been slacking.

There is no greater argument for eating in season than ripe, grilled peaches with perfect tomatoes and an orb of burrata. It could almost be a dessert save for the savoury anchor of pistachios and fresh basil’s sharp, aromatic contribution.

They also work well with carbs, stuffing slightly sweet torpedo rolls with cooked prawns and a creamy, herby sauce, and packing a worryingly delicious calorific payload of multiple cheeses, brisket, mayo and pickles into their ‘hot sandwich’.

It’s not as if you won’t see similar sounding items listed on bar menus across the city, but anywhere they spotted an opportunity to level up, they took it. You always feel like they’re giving you their best at Bart Jr and that’s why we want to give them all our money, as well as the award for Best Bar Food for 2018.

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RECOMMENDED READS:

These are the best restaurants in Redfern.

Check out our guide to the top bars in town here.

 Time Out Awards

2018Best Bar Food

View this year's Time Out Bar Award winners

Details

Address
92 Pitt St
Redfern
Sydney
2016
Opening hours:
Tue-Thu 4pm-late; Fri-Sat noon-late
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