Concrete Playground

Jester Seeds marks the last drinking establishment on King Street before you hit the no-man’s land of City Road and the University of Sydney campus. So a lot of people haven’t stumbled across Jester Seeds yet. It’s not especially noticeable from the street – just a collection of curious couches framing a doorway and the shadow of a bar behind. In fact, a man had to yell at me from the pavement to get my attention, but I’m very grateful that he did.

The bar is a haven of recycled furniture, dark wood and shabby student chic. A room at the back is filled with sofas and intimate tables, and the couches at the front could easily keep you sitting there for hours. Essentially, it looks like they’ve transported the contents of a ramshackle vintage shop from the lower end of King Street then artfully rearranged it, and prettied it up with some lampshades and mood lighting. The staff are lovely, with many recommendations and plenty of chat, and were infinitely tolerant of my inability to make a decision.

Like many of Sydney's burgeoning small bars, Jester Seeds is short on beer, and long on cocktails and wine. The Jack Pudding, with spiced pineapple, pisco, lime juice and sparkling wine, and the Cascadeur, with Campari, almond and orange syrup, were both lovely. The revelation, however, was the Appsinthe: a self-described ‘mystical’ concoction mixed with the fairies’ drink of choice, absinthe, apple schnapps and apple juice. On the night I rocked up they were advertising a Lavender Martini, which, with postures of lady-like sophistication, will hopefully become a permanent addition to the regular cocktail menu. The beer and wine were decently priced, and jugs of Sangria come in at $25 for six glasses - or one glass six times over, if you will.

Jester Seeds don't do meals so much as things to nibble on but the Chicken Burgers work well, as do the 'Broken' Potatoes, and most things will get you change from a $10 note. The music is unobtrusive, just keeping the noise of King Street at bay, so you can actually hear what the person opposite you is saying. This can work in different ways because, while talking is awesome, the stupid shit you say when you're drunk is more likely to be audible and hence remembered forevermore by your less alcoholic loved ones. On a Friday night the bar wasn’t packed, but you can bet that in a couple of months this place will be as busy as Corridor down the road. Having recently had their Section 96 approved by council, Jester now has the go-ahead to open up the upstairs area and have plans to develop the courtyard.

Newtown needs more small bars and I'm going to predict that, given time, Jester Seeds will become a beloved staple of the King Street drinking scene.

Images: Michael Susanto