Bar Hop – The Junk Bar

I thought my bar hopping days were over. It’s not that I can’t take the liquor. What I can’t take, are the prices. Where are the days of $3 vodka and watered down orange juice at White Chairs? It seems that at least some of the crowd I run with are still very much into bars so I’ve been to quite a few in the past while. Over the next few months, I’m going to share some of these visits so you too can seem like you’re ‘in the know’ with your decidedly younger colleagues.

Name: The Junk Bar
Location: Ashgrove
Vibe: Laid back. No rush to order or drink up and move on. Very easy to spend the entire night.
Punters: Late 20’s onwards. People celebrating milestone birthdays and events. Funky without being hipster.
Size: Compact. There is a second room next door that can be hired for small parties etc but almost certainly you will be sharing your table with others.
Decor: Very much a City Council Kerbside Collection feel ie: Junk. Lounges, coffee tables, beaded curtains to break up the space, every piece of coloured glassware your grandmother ever donated to charity. Dim lighting (hence the lack pf photos), intimate spaces.

Music: Eclectic 60’s vinyl on an original turn table. Think Italian pop and Latino brass.
Specialises In: Cocktails
Do Try: The Shivering Phoenix – Gin, slow gin, lemon juice, pear, rosemary clove syrup
Don’t Bother With: Eating in. The Junk Bar doesn’t really do food. You can order finger food via the bar from the Thai restaurant next door but it’s a bit pricey. You can also buy cheese platters but these need to be ordered in advance and are again, pricey. Eat before you go or have a few drinks and head out.
Insider Tip: Blink and you’ll miss it. The Junk Bar used to be a photocopy and print shop in a boring suburban shopping strip. There are curtains at the door so you may walk straight past.There’s a chalk sign outside and that’s it, so keep your eyes peeled.
Verdict: I’ll be back

The Junk Bar
215 Waterworks Rd
Ashgrove  Qld  4060

www.thejunkbar.com.au