ANTE

Though the cool Newtown spot by Matt Young and Jemma Whiteman's also serves excellent food. But don't just take our word for it – some of Sydney's best chefs, including Danielle Alvarez (ex Fred’s) and Kiln chef Mitch Orr, said Ante was one of their favourite places to eat in Sydney. There are no reservations, so come early.

Sake, records and moody vibes right in the middle of Newtown, ANTE offers the perfect escape from the bustle on King Street. Modelled after the Japanese concept of jazzu kissa, which is a jazz cafe or bar where people come for the records just as much as they do the bar, you will have no shortage of options to choose from, with over 65 sake from 21 sake breweries across Japan available, as well as other spirits such as whisky and gin. It comes as no surprise that the food menu is also designed to complement the sake, a rich Japanese influence on the menu with flavours like kanzuri, mirin and katsuobushi all making an appearance.

As dark as Japanese charcoal and as pure as Junmai sake, Ante ups the ante for "the small bar that could". With the double whammy of owner Matt Young's obsessions for sake and jazz on vinyl, and a thoughtful chef like Jemma Whiteman (Pinbone, Lankan Filling Station) in the open kitchen, there's a distilled purity of expression here that makes it a standout. Robata-grilled arrosticini lamb skewers with roasted bamboo salt, and prawn casarecce pasta with fermented chilli and clementine are typical of the playful, textural dishes, each balanced on a knife-edge with umami and acidity.

CUISINE: Jazz Cafe ADDRESS: 146 King Street Newtown, NSW 2042 OPENING HOURS: Thursday & Friday 5pm – late, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – late INSTAGRAM: @ante_syd. ANTE beckons diners to embark on a shared culinary journey, as their menu is ingeniously designed for communal feasting, ensuring that every bite becomes a delightful conversation starter. But it’s their sake collection that truly shines; an incredible showcase of over 65 sake varieties hailing from 21 different breweries in Japan.

ANTE offers the perfect escape from the bustle on King Street. Modelled after the Japanese concept of jazzu kissa, which is a jazz cafe or bar where people come for the records just as much as they do the bar, you will have no shortage of options to choose from, with over 65 sake from 21 sake breweries across Japan available, as well as other spirits such as whisky and gin. A rich Japanese influence on the menu with flavours like kanzuri, mirin and katsuobushi all making an appearance.

If setting the mood is the mission, then Ante understands the assignment. Slinky and inky with long counter stool seating and spot-lit high tables, the dining room has 2500-plus records that take cues from Japan’s jazz kissa listening bars, while the menu ranges from a katsu sando to prawn casarecce. If you’ve left Valentine’s Day or that significant anniversary to the last minute, no worries, Ante is walk-in only — ensuring everyone gets a seat at the table (even the forgetful ones).

Ante is a special spot and one of Sydney's few bars paying homage to authentic Japanese listening rooms. The drinks list includes 65 sake varietals from 21 different makers across Japan (as well as alternatives and low-alcohol options), with a seasonally changing menu designed to complement the sips on offer. Expect to leave Ante with a newfound appreciation for sake (and, perhaps, a jazz artist to pursue at home—the records that line the walls form the venue's suave soundtrack).

Ante is one of Newtown's slinkiest spots on King Street – slinging sake and records, low-alcoholic drinks, and an extensive selection of Japanese cocktails and a sheeny wall of vinyl records. Styled after the jazza kissu or “listening bar” popularised in Japan, there's always something great on air. And alongside one of the finest curations of sake in Australia, you'll find a shifting food menu designed to pair.

Of all the restaurants listed here in Sydney, this is one of the newer establishments and one we have been hanging out to visit ever since it opened. Run by Matt Young and Jemma Whiteman this gem of a place gets everything right. The food is beautiful, the sake selection is stunning, the service is perfect and the music is just what we would expect from Matt who we have known for a long time.

Japan is famous for its ‘jazz kissa’, cafes where people gather to have a drink and listen to music (usually imported records). Ante brings this tradition to Newtown – sit down, order one of the 60 top quality sakes on offer and choose something from the 2,500-strong record collection. The food is exceptional too and the menu constantly changing.

This chic Japanese-inflected listening bar is a haven for sake fans. ANTE, a Newtown jazza kissu (or listening bar), is one for fans of fine sake — of which there are over 65 kinds available. Grab a seat at the long timber bar overlooking the huge selection of vinyl and sake, and let the bartenders talk you through all the options.

We’re not sure sake will ever go mainstream in Sydney, but if one bar was to make a case for it to do so it would be Ante. Here you’ll find a dark, moody interior inspired by the idea of the Japanese jazz cafes; there’s plenty of vinyl here, and some considered Japanese-inspired eats too.

Around 60 styles of sake are pouring at this intimate drinking den, inspired by the vinyl-spinning jazz bars of Japan. Expect rare Japanese gins and whiskies too, plus a Euro-Japanese snack menu by a former Pinbone and Billy Kwong chef.

Visit this saké bar for both the drinks and the atmospheric music. Talking about upping the ante. Hip without being too haughty is this sake bar offering a unique experience that takes the imagination straight to Tokyo.

Update: I took your advice and am out new town tonight starting with ANTE with my partner!. Wish me luck and thank you!. 🙏🏻 as they say in America come thru if you want haha