First Look: Live Jazz and Vinyl DJs Set the Mood at Meadow Music Room, Cronulla’s Newest Bar

“Where do we go now?” That’s the question couple Adam and Kylie Micola are constantly being asked as they turn tables at Bobby’s. The breezy beachfront diner has been a Cronulla favourite since opening in 2023 – but options for after-dinner drinks were limited. So the pair opened Meadow Music Room.

“There’s nowhere to enjoy [the calibre of artist playing in the city] in the Sutherland Shire, or even south of the CBD,” Adam says. “Whenever we’re open, there’ll be live music.”

Named for their youngest daughter, Meadow transforms the old Papa J’s cocktail bar space. The 120-seater is now a day-to-night record bar, with a live jazz program, extensive wine list and a daily aperitivo hour. Music will span vinyl and CD DJ sets, live jazz and mixed-medium shows that combine live performances with tracks spinning on the decks. The team has built a multipurpose stage with a removable DJ booth to accommodate different types of entertainment.

From the kitchen is a menu of snacks and share plates that Adam describes as “neighbourhood bistro-style food”. It’s led by Bobby’s exec chef Pablo Tordesillas (ex-Totti’s, Otto), with an opening menu that includes attention-grabbers like a grilled sirloin au poivre, and crunchy-edged baked rigatoni sauced up with a creamy vodka-tomato number. On the snackier side, scoop up tuna tartare and crème fraîche with chippies, or nab a one-bite gougere topped with a meaty anchovy and thin-sliced chives.

Of course, you can also treat Meadow as more of a classic bar, pulling up a chair for a glass of wine, or to pair a couple of Sydney rock oysters with an extra-dirty Meadow Martini. There are over 120 drops on the wine list, with 25 available by the glass.

The aperitivo hour runs each day 4pm till 6pm, with $18 French 75s, Aperol Spritzes and grapefruit-laced Americanos. Plus, a tight list of plates from the main menu.

“[Papa J’s] was known to Cronulla as sort of a late-night venue,” says Adam. “We want this particular space to be very transitional from day to night. You can come in and do a set menu with a larger group and eat during the day, then the venue will transition into aperitivo hour.” Then it’s a walk-in bar till late.

Adam and Kylie’s eldest daughter Mika has already asked where “her venue” is. Her favourite food is tuna and avocado sushi, so don’t be surprised if the team opens something with a Japanese bent in the future.

Meadow Music Room
Shop 7, 2/6 Cronulla Street, Cronulla

Hours:
Wed & Thu 4pm–late
Fri to Sun 1pm–late

meadowcronulla.com.au
@meadow.musicroom