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Best Bars to Tap For Boozy Deliveries In and Around Redfern

When going to a bar is not an option during a lockdown, the best thing to do is to tap some of the city’s best boozy deliveries. Fortunately, there are a few establishments in and around Redfern that offer this convenience and they have some great cocktails in bottles as well!

Redfern Surf Club

First on the list is the Redfern Surf Club on Botany Road. This bar was one of the first establishments to launch its innovative cocktail party bags during the pandemic first wave in mid-2020 with flavours like Watermelon Margarita or Life is Peach that come in an easy pour and no mess packaging. Just pop these cocktails in the freezer and it’s ready to drink in a few hours.

Redfern Surf Club also delivers cocktails in bottles, freshly made and ready to pour. Their bestselling products are the Spicy Margarita, Espresso Martini and Negroni. Make sure to order in advance as the supplies run out fast.

Re-

The newly-opened bar and restaurant on Locomotive Street has introduced new flavours on their drink list as Sydney’s lockdown has been extended for another week. Take a pick from these exciting concotions — the Orchard Gimlet (Coconut Oil Gin, Strawberry and Peppermint Gum, Green Apple Whey), the Cherry Ripe Old Fashioned (Plantation 3 Star, Cacao, Cacoa Butter, Raspberry, Peach Stone) and 50 Shades of Gruyere (Mushroom Cognac, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz, Gruyere, Sweet Vermouth).

Re- is also widening their delivery coverage within the nine kilometres around South Eveleigh and could even ship interstate for online orders. If you don’t need a drink but you need a gift idea, they’ve got heaps of cocktails and wine for drink lovers with discerning taste buds.

PS40

About 3.5 kilometres away from Redfern is PS40, known for elevating the way Sydneysiders enjoy their booze. For this “snap lockdown,” PS40 is offering a special edition “snap pack box” that contains three 250ml bottles to make your boozy deliveries easier — just click to order!

The snap pack box has:

Zeneca Zombie (Coconut infused glenfiddich, rums, grapefruit, lime, rhubarb, grenadine, spices, whey)
The Full Bergamonty (Reyka vodka, allspice, fresh bergamot rind, mandarin, coriander seed, agave, whey)
Glady’s Gimlet (Hendrick’s gin, lime, lime oils & freshly grated makrut lime zest)

Continental Deli & Bistro

Though more of a deli and bistro than a bar, this shop in Newtown, which is about an 11-minute car ride through Abercrombie Street in Redfern, has a Sydney drink-lover must-have: the Continental Deli martinis in tin can and the Cosmopoli-Tin (vodka, cranberry, sherry, orange liqueur and water). They’ve had these cocktails to-go even before lockdowns became the new normal.

Meanwhile, Sydney’s stay-at-home orders will remain until 16 July as the city tops 350 cases since the first Delta variant infection was detected in early June. Health officials say they are expecting the numbers to rise so there’s nothing better to do than to chill, relax and enjoy your drinks moderately at home.

Redfern Student Accommodation Providers Seeking Building Use Change for Non-Students

To establish an alternative income stream, student accommodation providers in Redfern and other parts of Australia are temporarily seeking to change the use of their buildings into temporary hotel accommodations and rentals for non-students.

Scape Australia, the country’s largest student accommodation provider with upcoming purpose-built student accommodations (PBSA) in Redfern, and Iglu, which also runs a number of student dormitories in the borough, has sought permission from the City of Sydney to allow the changes amidst the uncertainties of the pandemic lockdowns.

Scape chief Anouk Darling said that their existing student homes are at 10 to 20 percent occupancy only whilst many of their new and completed state-of-the-art buildings have not yet opened due to the lack of international students.

Iglu’s Richard Smith said that they want temporary relief from the ongoing COVID situation and would like to turn their student buildings into accommodations for teachers and school support staff as well. The student accommodation provider has a new 18-storey building on Redfern’s Regent Street with 500 beds.

Prior to COVID-19, the purpose-built student accommodation industry has been booming with over 109,000 beds across Australia whilst 30,000 more are in development for the next few years. Scape has five new buildings around the country slated to open this year, which would lose millions in revenue if the borders remain closed.

As of January 2021, 60,394 student visa holders in NSW have not returned for in-person classes, per the figures from the Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment However, Minister Alan Tudge said they will launch phased pilots to bring back the students in small numbers.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said that the NSW Government has given the green light for 250 international students to fly into Sydney every two weeks beginning July 2021. The students will undergo mandatory quarantine at a purpose-built student accommodation, whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated. The proposal has been submitted to the Federal Government for their review.

The Norfolk House and Hotel to Reopen in Redfern After Renovations

The Norfolk House and Hotel is reopening in Redfern, after a series of renovations worth $2 million, which include the addition of a recording room and a beer bar.

From the minds of revolutionary hospitality and accommodations group the people_ comes the new and improved Norfolk House and Hotel, complete with its own specially-made beer bar run by local operators in the hospitality industry. Here, customers can indulge themselves and support the local scene as their venues are not run by the people_, but rather by their specialist partners.

the people_ was founded by Andrew Taylor, who also founded specialist hotel advisory and development company Cre8tive Property, and Paul Schulte, the creative director of The Keystone Group. The group aims to create suburban venues that cater to local communities by tailoring products and experiences to what appeals to them most.

In the case of the revamped Norfolk Hotel, the redesigns brought on by the people_ aims to make the hotel stay true to its roots while simultaneously adapting the venue to keep up with the times and reflect the changing character of the suburb.

The hotel also features a special recording room for podcasters, TikTokers and Youtubers, providing content creators the opportunity to record material for their channels with fast internet and audio-visual facilities for them to use.

The Norfolk House and Hotel is scheduled to reopen in early July 2021, and the hotel can be found at 305 Cleveland St, Redfern. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning the hotel.

Waterloo Metro Rail Platform Taking Shape After 7 Months of Work

The Waterloo Metro Rail platform, the first platform in the Sydney Metro City and Southwest projects, is now taking shape after seven months of construction, thanks to the efforts of more than 800 workers.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said that the City and Southwest projects, including the 170-metre-long Waterloo Metro Rail platform, have been creating thousands of jobs and will continue to bring in more workers until its target completion date in 2024.

“More than 5,000 people are currently working on the City and Southwest project and by the time it opens, more than 50,000 will have worked on it,” Mr Constance said.

“When Sydney Metro services start through Waterloo, it will take customers just two minutes to get to Central, six minutes to Martin Place and eight minutes to Barangaroo.”

Waterloo Metro Rail Platform — Photo Credit: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Construction at the platform entailed the pouring of 1,100 tonnes of concrete in the specially designed moulds to assemble the platform, as well as precasting and stablising the concrete sections that weigh seven tons each. A 45-metre-tall tower crane was also used to lift the segments into the surface.

This platform is found underground at the corners of Raglan and Cope Streets and by the station bounded by Botany Road, Cope Street, Raglan Street and Wellington Street. This project will also include the following additions to create the Waterloo Metro Quarter:

New pedestrian crossings on Raglan, Wellington and Cope streets
New bike parking within the precinct
New taxi and kiss and ride bays on Cope Street
Existing bus stops retained northbound along Botany Road
Relocation of the bus stop southbound on Botany Road closer to Raglan Street
Relocation of the bus stops on Cope and Wellington streets to Raglan Street
Enhancement of pedestrian infrastructure around the Waterloo Metro Quarter including footpath widenings and through-site links

Redfern Student Tower in The Block Could Become First Student Quarantine Hub

A 600-bed student accommodation located in The Block in Redfern could become the first student quarantine hub in New South Wales upon the return of the international students.

Construction of the $100-million development, which will be one of three Scape student housing facilities in Sydney, is almost complete and could be ready in time for the launch of the government’s pilot program for student quarantine hubs.

Scape co-founder Craig Carracher confirmed that the student tower was re-engineered to be featured with contactless access points and a better airflow system that will limit the spread of the virus. It comes as International Education Association Australia CEO Phil Honeywood also said that similar student accommodation companies have been looking into developing and improving their facilities to comply with the policies and regulations of the NSW Health on student housing.

However, a spokesperson from the NSW Treasury said that the Scape development has only been shortlisted and a decision on the quarantine hub has yet to been made. Another student accommodation provided by Iglu, also found in Redfern, is up for consideration as well.

The spokesperson acknowledged the need to prepare quarantine-ready facilities for returning international students as they make up one of the “largest and important export sectors” of NSW, supporting local jobs and boosting the economy for over $14 billion a year.

South Australia was the first to propose a student quarantine hub and will meet with the officials of the federal government in the coming weeks to carefully carry out their plans. NSW, on the other hand, has not yet submitted any proposal to the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Scape development is not without its controversies as it will stand on an iconic site. Some Redfern locals worry about the potential impact of a quarantine facility next to the vulnerable Indigenous residents, who could be forced out of The Block due to the threats to their health and wellbeing.

Famous Redfern Street Cat, Tiger, Last Seen ‘Kickin and Living’

Meet Tiger. University residents and locals have doubtless had some unforgettable encounters with this popular Redfern native, an “old gangster” cat that’s a familiar sight on Abercrombie Street.

This ginger tabby cat is quite the legendary and well-loved character for despite his grumpy face, Tiger loves to solicit pats and touches from the humans walking in this busy Redfern section.

Stories have it that Tiger moved from the sleepy outskirts of Bundeena about 19 years ago to the stay in the lively inner west. Because he’s very adaptable, he had no trouble fitting in and growing attached to the locals.

For years, Redfern locals shared their encounters with Tiger, which has been documented on his dedicated Instagram @tiger_abercrombie_streetcat.

But sometime before the pandemic, a worrying post alarmed the community.

“I’m sorry to report that Tiger may be on his last legs,” the message said. “He’s at the vet now because he has been bleeding from the mouth. He’s a very old cat, around 17 years, and it might be his time. He’s coming back to Abercrombie this afternoon and will most probably spend the night at Huda’s place. If you do see him on the street, make sure to get one final pat on this lovely old fellow.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tiger (@tiger_abercrombie_streetcat)

Two months later, however, another message was shared on the Instagram account, saying that Tiger has recovered from his illness and he’s back at his favorite spot on Abercrombie.

When the pandemic struck, his social media site went dark for a year, leading Tiger fans to conclude that the furry local’s nine lives might be up.

However, sometime in April 2021, a message on Instagram gave Tiger’s adoptive community some hope. It explained why the social media account has been quiet. Apparently, the person who managed it lost access and the password to the account. Tiger, however, is still “kicking and living.”

The Redfern community is waiting for more updates.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tiger (@tiger_abercrombie_streetcat)

But Tiger is not the only Abercrombie celebri-kitty. The Eveleigh Hotel is the turf of Ambercrombie Charlie, a classic tabby with blotched black and white streaks on its fur who is about 13 years old.

Though not quite a street cat since he lives with owner Lou Shackleton, Ambercrombie Charlie gets regular visitors, especially after he made it to the local news quite a number of times.

Students at the University of Sydney, who major in the study of animals, are very familiar with this cat. In 2017, his photo was part of the campaign to vote for marriage equality in NSW.

In 2019, he caused serious worries for the community for his reported disappearance. Even the police got involved in his search.

Following investigations, an Uber rider thought that Charlie was a missing cat as he has found him on the street without his collar. It was an honest mistake.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Charlie Abercrombie (@abercrombiecharlie)

Student Accommodation to Replace Petrol Station on Regent Street

Did you know that an idle site on Regent Street in Redfern, formerly a petrol station, will soon be developed into a three-tower student accommodation with 1,300 beds and shops on the ground floor?

Plans to demolish the petrol station have been approved in January 2021 (DA D/2020/1095) after developer Wee Hur bought the 1,366 square metre property (104 to 116 Regent Street) from BP Australia. The Singaporean investor has two other adjoining properties in the area: 90-102 Regent Street and 13-23 Gibbons Street.

With this third site in his portfolio, the developer is looking to build three towers of student accommodation that will seal Redfern’s reputation as the ideal student precinct. One of the towers will have its own outdoor cinema on the rooftop, as well as communal areas with BBQ facilities.

Photo Credit: City of Sydney Development Application

Per the approved development application, demolition on the site will cover the service station hardstands, canopy and equipment, as well as the removal of the signage. Excavation and remediation work are also included in the approved plans.

The total cost of this demolition is $287,824. The developer, however, will still submit a separate application for the student accommodation, projected to stand at about 18-storeys tall.

Mr Wee’s Australian investment company, Intergen Property Group, also manages two student accommodation sites at the Unilodge Park Central in Brisbane (1,578 beds) and Unilodge City Gardens in Adelaide (772 beds).

According to industry experts, student towers remain the fastest-growing investment for property developers despite the impact of COVID-19. Pre-pandemic, Australia’s third-largest industry has been education, generating about $30 billion annually.

Significant changes have been happening in Redfern following its rezoning in 2000 as a high-density suburb. Redfern will also become the site of the NSW’s first Build-to-Rent social housing project.

New Sydney City South Parish Merges Redfern with Rosebery and Waterloo

The Archdiocese of Sydney has established the new Sydney City South Parish that merges Redfern Catholic Church with Rosebery and Waterloo. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has created a decree recognising the amalgamation after consultations with various communities.

The new Sydney City South Parish will comprise St Joseph in Rosebery, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waterloo, and St Vincent de Paul in Redfern with Fr Paul Smither as the parish priest. Fr Paul said that whilst mergers may be difficult, it’s an important step to make the parishes viable.

The churches in Waterloo and Rosebery are within walking distance whilst the Redfern church is around three kilometres away. Fr Paul said that as these small parishes integrate, the community will cover a bigger area as well, allowing the Catholic faithful to participate in various activities of the three churches.

Members of the parish might leave as a result of these changes but Fr Paul is also optimistic that new people will be encouraged to join.

Redfern local Ralph Townsend welcomes the change as an Aboriginal Elder because he believes this merger will not only make the new parish the church for Indigenous but the church for all people.

As a long-time parishioner, Mr Townsend said that the Redfern church embraces diversity and a multi-cultural community. The change will reinforce the thrust of the Catholic Church as one big community.

The Norfolk Hotel in Redfern to Unveil New Look for Millennials

An old watering hole in Redfern will debut its new look and design following a $2 million refurbishment from The People, a new hospitality group. Once The Norfolk Hotel on Cleveland Road re-opens, it’s expected to get people talking, especially the millennials.

The transformation of The Norfolk Hotel will be completed by the end of May 2021 with the pub set to re-open in early June. A few months later, its six rooms will begin accepting accommodations that will appeal to digital natives like YouTubers, podcasters, TikTok users, and young people who value co-working spaces or a good recording space with a refreshing design and cutting edge audio-video facilities.

Paul Schulte and Andrew Taylor, the co-founders of The People, have the millennials in mind when they started redeveloping The Norfolk Hotel, owned by George Confos. The partners said that the younger generation has been looking for an affordable hangout that also ticks all of the boxes when it comes to lifestyle perks and the coolness factor.

The pub itself will have something different as frequent patrons won’t have to use a credit card to open up a tab. Instead, they will have to register for an account that will exclusively run on a new app made for The People. This new system will also be used for the accommodation at The House, the hotel’s upper floor, and the other restaurants under the hospitality group’s management.

The Norfolk Hotel is The People’s first redevelopment. The group is also transforming Camelia Grove Hotel in Alexandria, the Kurrajong Hotel in Erskineville, and The Exchange Hotel in Balmain. The idea is to change these old hotels into boutique accommodations or hang out without the five-star price tag.

To keep taps of the opening of The Norfolk Hotel, bookmark their website. The social media pages will follow after the group re-establishes the pub.

Surry Hills Village: Construction of Redfern Lifestyle Precinct Starts

Following years of planning, Toga Group’s $200-million Surry Hills Village redevelopment in Redfern is now underway.

In late March 2021, Toga Group and officials of the City of Sydney, along with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, had a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the iconic site’s regeneration. The groundbreaking also signaled the demolition of some existing buildings to make way for a revitalised lifestyle precinct comprising high-end apartments across three structures, retail shops, food and dining sites, commercial spaces, and a boutique hotel.

“I welcome the revitalisation of the old Surry Hills shopping centre as a vibrant, mixed-use development of apartments, supermarket, speciality shops and boutique hotel – bringing new life to the area and better serving the needs of the people who are living here,” the Lord Mayor said.

The new Surry Hills Village will also include a 517-square-meter public park where various community activities can be mounted. The project will see through the extensive and careful modifications of heritage buildings and facades as commercial and communal spaces that were once under-utilised.

SJB Architects was hired as precinct’s designer, paying homage to the history of the neighbourhood. The company’s director, Adam Haddow, said that the locals are passionate about retaining some of their community’s unique features whilst creating a modern and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy in the years to come.

Also behind this redevelopment are some of Sydney’s prestigious creatives — BKH director Iain Halliday, Aspect Studios director Sacha Coles, and Studio Prineas principal and architect Eva-Marie Prineas.

Surry Hills Village, located on Cleveland and Baptist Streets in Redfern, has a 2024 completion date. For tenancy details or residential enquiries visit the official site.