After a four-month revamp by a five-part team of friends (with a collective resume that includes The Sunshine Inn, The Little Guy, BTB Kirribilli and Doom Juice), Redfern boozer The Bat & Ball came roaring back to life in 2024.

A far cry from the oft-seen white-washed pub refit, the pub’s warm interiors will make everyone feel at home. Local vinyl DJs, CDJs and musicians play on Fridays and Saturdays from a DJ booth tucked next to the sports-dedicated TV, with disco lights popping out when the mood’s right.

From a small kitchen prepped to deal with big numbers, expect very nice pub grub including hot wings with house-fermented chilli sauce, and mussels cooked with liquorice and fennel. Seven classic mains cater to most dietaries, while starters are Euro-style nibblies and share plates. Don’t miss the weekly specials – including cheap pasta Tuesdays and a classic Sunday roast.

The bottle-o stocks around 50 different wines, available to take home or drink in-venue with corkage. A “never-ending” happy hour means wallet-friendly Negronis and Espresso Martinis, complemented by a tight list of house cocktails, Doom Juice red on tap and a bunch of local beers.