The Sweetwater Inn, which opened just under three years ago, will close on October 17.
We’re not usually ones to write eulogies, but when a South Yarra favourite (even if it was short-lived) is forced to close, we’ll step up to the gloomy task.
From the first day those doors opened, revealing a rustic bar resembling a ramshackle workshop complete with rusty hacksaws and corrugated iron walls, Sweetwater became a certified Destination for south side dwellers and north side travellers alike. Equal parts barbeque joint, country shed, late-night bar and crowded sundeck, its shameless celebration of everything kitschy Australiana was refreshing in an otherwise polished South Yarra; from the Fosters tinnies to the homemade sausage rolls. Both the drinks and food menu represented Sweetwater’s inclusive character – from $10 cocktails to its considered vegan offering.
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SUBSCRIBE NOWThe untimely closure is due to a new apartment development taking over the entire block, between Bray Street and Garden Street.
Fortunately, we can share a little good news with the bad. The guys behind Sweetwater will definitely relocate, either south side or north, although they aren’t in too much of a hurry.
“We’ve already started looking at new places,” says co-owner Guy Bentley. “And we just bought a 40-foot container to basically move everything into whatever space we find … it’s just hard to find a space that’s as good as what Sweetwater is – a venue that looks like a shed.”
Bentley and the Sweetwater team will throw a closing party on the final night. The guys aren’t 100 per cent sure on the details yet, but there’ll be drink specials, good tunes, a lot of familiar faces and obviously some sweet(water) vibes.
“We just want everyone to come down and enjoy the things that, hopefully, they’ve enjoyed in the past,” says Bentley.
“That way we can thank everyone that’s lifted a hammer, lifted a glass and lifted a rissole sandwich.”
The Sweetwater Inn
1/60 Bray Street, South Yarra
Hours
Mon to Wed 4pm–11pm
Thu to Sun 12pm–1am