The Dunkirk Pyrmont

The location is excellent. Fish Market is a 10-minute walk, and there are plenty of convenience stores plus a couple of organic supermarkets within five minutes on foot. The Light Rail is nearby, and I took the metro all the way from the airport. The room was comfortable and very clean, with a good fridge and kettle. I preferred food from the organic store, so I didn’t need to eat out. There was some traffic noise, but it went away when I ran the in-room aircon. The shared bathrooms were fine too. Much better than a soulless concrete shoebox hotel.

Don’t bother. They don’t care. Their reply was dishonest, just a weak and predictable PR deflection. I work in town planning, and not applying for extended NYE trading hours points to either gross mismanagement or total incompetence. Neither is acceptable, and customers shouldn’t be insulted with excuses. I’ve spent several New Year’s Eves in Sydney pubs, and every one managed to stay open. Why didn’t this one? Closing half an hour before midnight on New Year’s Eve is embarrassing. It’s shocking for tourists and laughable for locals. A pub that can’t serve a drink to see in the New Year has missed the point of being a pub. The bar staff made it worse. They were rude, dismissive and openly unpleasant. I hadn’t said a word to them, complained or confronted anyone. Their behavior was unprovoked. I won’t return for New Year’s, birthdays or any other celebration, and probably won’t drop in casually either. I’ll share this experience widely because people deserve to know what they’re walking into. You’ve lost more than one customer, you’ve lost dozens. I review venues regularly and stand by this: avoid this place. So un-Australian, and a complete joke given the name.

I was really impressed when I went on a Friday two weeks ago with my partner and a friend. The staff were friendly and, unlike many city pubs, knew how to pour a beer properly. There was a good choice of beers on tap, and everyone seemed to be having a good time during karaoke. Friday oysters are a simple offering, but they were fresh from the fish market and worth trying. I had the rump steak cooked bleu, which they did properly, something not many places manage. My partner’s chicken burger was cooked perfectly, and all three of us ordered tacos. They were so good people in their native place of origin would be proud of them. Hats off to the staff and management for one of the best nights I’ve had out in a long time.

Trivia night last Wednesday was an absolute blast. The host had loads of energy, and the staff seemed to get right into it too. For a small pub, the cocktail menu was much better than I expected, and the drinks tasted pretty damned good. Manager Marta had the special flair you’d expect from a girl from the continent. She was extremely friendly while still professional, and she and the staff made us feel like locals even though we weren’t. Thanks, guys. I’ll recommend you to all my friends and family. Keep up the great work.