Since opening in a former paint shop on Marrickville Road in 2014, friendly small bar Gasoline Pony has won many fans. Owned and operated by a musically talented sister and brother, Fiona Cook and Elmo Reed, the Pony’s ambience resembles nothing so much as a shabby share house, possibly in Texas, inhabited by gregarious souls all catching up in various nooks, including an outdoor lounge space.

Punters still occasionally stumble in asking for VB, but the bar stocks more sophisticated fare: craft beers from the likes of The Grifter, Batch Brewing Co, Young Henrys, Willie the Boatman and Shenanigans, boutique wines, fancy gins, ciders from New Zealand or Newtown. There are also cocktails; classics or intriguing originals. A protein-heavy range of bar food – tacos, nachos, Cuban sandwich, a cheese plate, all around $10 – is sustaining.

Live music, ranging from gypsy grunge to Americana folk happens frequently, with some secret spots by visiting musos. Or rock up every second Tuesday for Acca-Pony. Join Fiona, a former local choir leader, in free, informal and fun a cappella singing. An open-mike night is planned for those who want to strut their stuff more seriously. But really, there’s nothing too serious about The Gasoline Pony, it’s unpretentious and likable.