Six Enmore Road Spots To Try Right Now

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Enmore Road rocks. Undoubtedly one of Sydney’s hottest stretches to drink on, it feels like something new opens here every week – and not just bars.

Walking down Enmore Road with a couple of friends, without a plan, is a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening; there’s a little bit of everything here. If you prefer to think ahead, try one of these spots (both old and new – and some Hot Listed) that Sydney is loving right now.

Super 44

How many ways can a bar make a Margarita? Definitely more than you can try in one night – a lot more. Super 44, the Hot Listed neighbourhood sibling from the Bar Planet team, demands repeat visits to try frozen, spicy and other special riffs on the classic cocktail. It also demands your attention: if the bright red facade on Enmore Road doesn’t draw you in, the matching tiled floor and bar top, ceiling doilies and bolo-tie-wearing staff will. Come for as many Margs as you dare to try, the long tequila list and, of course, bags of Tajin-inspired spiced popcorn.

Joy Fried Chicken

Whether you’re out drinking or just going for a stroll in the sunshine, there are few better things to fuel your expedition on Enmore Road than Joy Fried Chicken. Ripping into owner Kay Hwang’s sweet, spicy, triple-fried cuts tells you one thing: the new 40-seat chicken shop is aptly named. Bone-in pieces or chicken breast are coated in house-made sauces. There are five spice levels, beginning at Honey Soy and moving through to Fire, which is fuelled by fresh Carolina reapers in the summer and ghost peppers the rest of the year. There are no wrong choices here, though the best one might be ordering the hulking chicken burger and chowing down.

Superfreak

This Hot Listed spot is a cafe for all occasions. But the best way to enjoy Superfreak is inside Superfreak. The interior design by YSG Studio puts the cafe in the running for Sydney’s best-looking venue. Green, gold and timber anchor the palette. At the door, there’s a truly special Wonka-esque lamp by American artist Autumn Casey. Old soul albums are on the record player, housed in a bespoke cabinet built into the wraparound shag-covered seating. There’s something good to look at no matter where you sit, making for one of the coolest dining experiences in the city. The cafe’s signature is the oat, rye and buckwheat porridge, but the chicken sandwich and meatball sub are excellent alternatives.

Firepop

This intimate restaurant from co-owners Alina Van and Raymond Hou was born from their identically named food truck, which still operates around Sydney. Inside Firepop’s bricks-and-mortar home, you’ll find skewered proteins, particularly lamb and Wagyu, cooked over coals. But the 30-page drinks list here holds its own amid Enmore Road’s vibrant bar scene. There’s a heap of European wines, natural local drops and any popular varietal you can imagine by the glass, carafe and bottle. You could spend weeks here exploring the full scope of the drink options, and they’re not even the main attraction.

Deadwax

If the 400-strong (and growing) vinyl collection wasn’t already enough to entice you, the good times at Deadwax certainly will be. Plus, the staff take requests – there’s even BYO vinyl nights, so you can hear your favourite albums on the excellent in-house speaker system. Deadwax is open late and gets better as the night gets longer. Cocktails are fresh and punchy. The Honeydew High with El Jimador, Midori, honeydew and lime leaf is a perfect accompaniment to some tunes that’ll keep you awake and likely get you moving.

The Magpie

The Magpie is a sports bar for people who love sport and people who don’t. Sure, there’s a couple of TVs playing everything from NRL and AFL to the Super Bowl, Olympics and everything in-between. But there’s also footpath seating that’s perfect for people-watching and catching some sunshine, friendly bar staff who are always up for a chat, and a wide folding window that gives the cosy interior an al fresco feel on warmer days. There’s no kitchen, but you can bring your own takeaway from nearby. It’s a great spot to catch a game without making it the focal point of your night.

The Hot List is proudly sponsored by Square.